The Last Charge: Why Proprietary Fast Charging is on its Way Out
Imagine buying a new phone, eager to experience its blazing-fast charging speeds, only to discover it trickles power unless you use the one cable and charger. This frustrating scenario, recently highlighted by struggles with the OPPO Find X9 Pro, isn’t an isolated incident. It’s a symptom of a dying trend: proprietary fast charging. And frankly, it’s a trend that should have been retired years ago.
The Cable Chaos: A User Experience Nightmare
For years, manufacturers have touted their proprietary charging technologies – SuperVOOC, SuperCharge, Warp Charge, and countless others – as a key differentiator. But this “innovation” has come at a significant cost to user experience. The recent experience with the OPPO Find X9 Pro perfectly illustrates the problem. Despite supporting 80W charging, the phone stubbornly refused to exceed 27W with anything but the included cable. This isn’t just inconvenient; it’s deceptive. Many phones display an “ultra-fast charging” indicator regardless of the actual charging rate, leaving users blissfully unaware they’re getting a significantly slower charge.
A recent informal poll shows the problem is widespread. While 38% of users report still relying on proprietary chargers all the time, a combined 63% either sometimes do or actively avoid them. The core issue isn’t necessarily the speed of proprietary charging when it works, but the inherent incompatibility and confusion it creates. Digging through settings menus to find hidden toggles, deciphering which cables are compatible, and the constant fear of bricking your device with an incompatible charger – it’s a headache no one asked for.
USB-PD: The Universal Solution Gains Momentum
Fortunately, a viable alternative has emerged: USB Power Delivery (USB-PD), particularly with Programmable Power Supply (PPS). Unlike proprietary standards, USB-PD is an open standard, meaning any charger and device that supports it should work seamlessly together. Xiaomi has already demonstrated the potential, with phones like the Xiaomi 15 Ultra and 17 Ultra achieving impressive charging speeds (60W and 100W respectively) using standard USB-PD chargers commonly used for laptops and tablets. USB-PD is rapidly becoming the dominant force in fast charging.
The data speaks for itself. The OPPO Find X9 Pro, despite its 70W SuperVOOC support, averages 28W during charging, taking 68 minutes for a full charge. Using USB-PD PPS, it achieves a similar average of 27W, resulting in a charge time of just 71 minutes. In other words, a universal standard delivers comparable performance to a proprietary one, without the hassle. USB-PD with any compatible cable is demonstrably faster than proprietary charging with the wrong cable – a frankly absurd situation.
Beyond USB-PD: AVS and UFCS on the Horizon
The evolution doesn’t stop with USB-PD. Advanced Voltage and Current Sharing (AVS) and Universal Fast Charging (UFCS), gaining traction particularly in China, are further refining the charging landscape. These technologies aim to optimize charging efficiency and compatibility even further. While UFCS is currently more prevalent in the Chinese market, its potential for global adoption is significant. These advancements highlight a clear trend: the industry is converging on open standards, leaving proprietary systems increasingly isolated.
Branding vs. Benefit: Why Manufacturers Persist
If USB-PD offers a superior user experience and comparable performance, why do manufacturers continue to cling to proprietary standards? The answer, unfortunately, is largely about branding and ecosystem control. Proprietary charging allows companies to differentiate their products and lock customers into their accessory ecosystems. It’s a business decision, not a technological one. However, the diminishing returns of this strategy are becoming increasingly apparent. A few minutes shaved off a charge time simply aren’t worth the added complexity and frustration for consumers.
HONOR’s approach – prompting users with a “would you like to super-fast charge?” notification, acknowledging potential battery health trade-offs – offers a compelling model. This transparency and user control should be standard across all charging technologies, not exclusive to proprietary systems.
The future of phone charging is clear. Open standards like USB-PD, AVS, and UFCS are poised to dominate, offering a more convenient, compatible, and ultimately, user-friendly experience. It’s time for manufacturers to prioritize user needs over branding and embrace the inevitable: proprietary charging has outlived its usefulness. What are your predictions for the future of charging standards? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
