You’ve probably noticed that some chargers power up your phone much faster than others when you plug it in. This difference comes down to the charging technologies they use, such as USB PD and PPS. While these terms might sound confusing, they play a crucial role in how quickly and efficiently your device charges, as well as how well your smartphone’s battery life is maintained. To help you make sense of it all, we’ll break down what USB-C Power Delivery (PD) and Programmable Power Supply (PPS) fast charging are, explore their features, and highlight the key differences between them.
What is USB-C PD Charging?
A USB PD charger is one that supports the USB Power Delivery (PD) standard, a widely adopted fast-charging technology. This standard was introduced by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) on July 5, 2012, and has since become a popular choice for fast charging. USB PD supports a wide range of voltage levels, from 5V to 48V, and currents ranging from 0.5A to 5A, enabling a maximum charging speed of up to 240W. You can easily identify a USB PD charger by its cable, which typically features a USB Type-C port on both ends.
One of the standout features of USB PD is its ability to facilitate communication between your device and the charger. This means your device can request the specific voltage and current it needs for optimal charging. For example, if your smartphone requires 18W to charge, it can signal the charger to deliver 9V, and the USB PD charger will adjust the voltage accordingly. Initially, USB PD was capped at 20V, but with the introduction of USB PD 3.1, this limit was significantly increased to 48V, allowing for even faster and more efficient charging.
Features of USB PD (Power Delivery) Chargers
- Universal Compatibility:
USB PD chargers work with a wide range of devices, including laptops, tablets, smartphones, and accessories, making them a versatile charging solution. - Faster Charging:
USB PD offers significantly faster charging speeds compared to traditional chargers, reducing the time needed to power up your devices. - Smart Communication:
USB PD enables two-way communication between the device and the charger, allowing the device to request the optimal voltage and current for efficient and safe charging. - Wide Voltage Range:
USB PD supports multiple voltage levels, ranging from 5V to 48V, making it adaptable to various devices with different power requirements. - High Power Output:
With a maximum power output of up to 240W (USB PD 3.1), USB PD chargers can handle high-power devices like laptops and gaming consoles with ease. - Future-Proof Technology:
USB PD is continuously evolving, with updates like USB PD 3.1 expanding its capabilities, ensuring it remains a cutting-edge charging standard.
What is USB PPS Charging?
PPS, or Programmable Power Supply, isn’t a separate technology but rather a feature included in USB PD 3.0 and 3.1 chargers. Introduced by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) in 2017, PPS enhances power delivery by exchanging data every 10 seconds in real time, allowing precise voltage adjustments between 3V and 21V.
This dynamic voltage regulation improves charging efficiency by minimizing power loss and optimizing charging speed. By adapting to the device’s power needs, PPS also reduces heat generation, ultimately contributing to better battery longevity.
Features of PPS (Programmable Power Supply) Chargers
- Integrated with USB PD 3.0 and 3.1:
PPS is a feature built into USB PD 3.0 and 3.1 chargers, enhancing their functionality and efficiency. - Real-Time Communication:
PPS enables real-time data exchange between the charger and the device every 10 seconds, allowing for precise adjustments to voltage and current. - Optimal Charging Speed:
By dynamically adapting to the device’s requirements, PPS ensures faster and more efficient charging, delivering the optimal power needed at any given moment. - Minimized Heat Build-Up:
PPS reduces heat generation during charging by adjusting power delivery in real-time, which helps protect the battery and extend its lifespan. - Improved Battery Longevity:
The ability to fine-tune power delivery not only enhances charging efficiency but also reduces stress on the battery, promoting longer battery life. - Wide Voltage Range:
PPS supports voltage adjustments from 3V to 21V, making it highly adaptable to a variety of devices and their specific charging needs.
What’s the Difference Between USB PD and PPS?
One of the primary limitations of USB PD (Power Delivery) was its reliance on fixed-step voltage levels. This means it could only adjust voltage in predefined increments, such as switching from 9V to 5V, even if a device could perform better with an intermediate voltage like 6V or 6.5V. PPS (Programmable Power Supply) addresses this issue by allowing for fine-grained current adjustments in small increments. As a result, your device can charge at the most optimal current without significant slowdowns or inefficiencies.
To better understand this, imagine USB PD as a car speedometer with only four settings: slow, medium, fast, and very fast. There’s no flexibility to choose speeds in between. If you want to slow down slightly, you’re forced to drop to the “slow” mode, which can strain the car’s engine and cause overheating. PPS, on the other hand, acts like a continuously adjustable speedometer, allowing you to fine-tune the speed to your exact needs without being restricted to fixed options. This flexibility reduces strain and improves efficiency.
Another key difference is that PPS support is limited to specific chargers, while USB PD is widely supported across most devices. For example, Apple devices like iPhones, iPads, and Macs support USB PD but do not currently support PPS. To make it easier to compare the two, we’ve prepared a detailed table highlighting their differences.
USB PD (Power Delivery) |
PPS (Programmable Power Supply) |
|---|---|
Latest version: USB PD 3.1 |
Latest version: Comes as a part of USB PD 3.0 and above |
Output: 48V/ 5A |
Output: 3.3~21V/50mA |
Max Power: 240 Watts |
Max Power: 100 Watts |
Works seamlessly with a variety of devices like smartphones, tablets, laptops, cameras, and more |
PPS is an addition to USB PD 3.x version and comes with supported chargers |
Quick charge standard for iPhone, iPad, and Mac |
Works with limited smartphones, tablets, and laptops, and is not supported by Apple products |
Allows for communication between device and charger |
Offers real-time communication in 10-second intervals |
Can switch between different voltage steps depending on the requirement |
Adjust voltage and current in minor increments for efficient charging |
Can charge multiple devices simultaneously |
Prevents build of heat, increasing battery longevity |
How is a USB PPS Charger Better than a USB PD Charger?
The real-time dynamic current switching capability of a PPS charger ensures that your device charges quickly while staying within safe limits. This intelligent adjustment minimizes the risk of overheating and prevents your phone or other devices from significantly reducing charging speeds. As a result, you spend less time tethered to a power outlet and enjoy faster, more efficient charging.
Another advantage is the reduction in heat generation during charging. This not only enhances safety but also helps prolong your smartphone’s battery health, ensuring it lasts longer over time. Additionally, if you own a USB PD 3.0 PPS charger, you can still fast-charge other devices that don’t support PPS, making it a versatile and future-proof charging solution. This combination of speed, safety, and compatibility makes PPS chargers an excellent choice for modern devices.
Phones That Support PPS Charging
PPS (Programmable Power Supply) was introduced in 2017, and since then, many smartphone manufacturers have adopted this advanced charging technology. While it’s impossible to list every device that supports PPS, here are some popular recent smartphones that come with USB PPS support:
- Nothing Phone (3a)
- Nothing Phone (3a) Pro
- Samsung Galaxy S25
- Samsung Galaxy S25+
- Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
- Google Pixel 9
- Google Pixel 9 Pro
- Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
- Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold
I hope this explanation has given you a clearer understanding of USB PD and how it differs from PPS. While PPS offers significant advantages, such as faster charging, reduced heat, and improved battery longevity, its adoption is still limited by the number of devices that support it.
If you own one of the devices we’ve listed above and are looking for a reliable charger, we’ve included our top PPS charger recommendations below. And for Apple users whose devices don’t support PPS, don’t worry we’ve also shared a great USB-C PD charger recommendation to ensure you get the best charging experience possible. Whether you’re team PPS or USB PD, there’s a charger out there to meet your needs!
