Image credit — Anker
In this constantly evolving smartphone market, for OEMs, charging speed has become a major selling point and a way to stand out. To keep up with the competition, manufacturers constantly push the boundaries of fast charging technology. However, Android’s current system for indicating charging speed has led to some confusion among users.Currently, Android labels any charger delivering 7.5W or more as “fast.” This broad definition encompasses a wide range of charging speeds, making it difficult for users to distinguish between a standard charger and a high-powered one. This lack of clarity can lead to unrealistic expectations about how quickly a device will charge.
Fortunately, Google aims to finally address this issue in the upcoming Android 15 update. Evidence suggests that the tech giant is planning to raise the threshold for “fast” charging from 7.5W to 20W. This change would provide users with a more accurate understanding of charging speed and help them make informed decisions about which charger to use.
Current charging thresholds on Android: “Charging slowly” when it’s below 5W, “Charging” when it’s between 5W and 7.5W, and “Charging rapidly” when it’s above 7.5W
| Images credit — Android Authority
The move to a higher threshold for “fast” charging is expected to have a more significant impact on users of high-end smartphones, such as the Google Pixel 8, which supports charging speeds of up to 30W. These users will be able to better identify chargers that can truly deliver rapid charging capabilities.
