USB PD vs PPS Fast Charging: Know Which One is Better and Why

Fast charging technologies have changed the way we charge our devices, making it faster and more economical. The most prominent of all such standards in this area are USB Power Delivery (USB PD) and Programmable Power Supply (PPS).

Although both support rapid charging, do you know which one is better from USB PD vs PPS fast charging? As both are vary extensively in how they implement it, their set of features, and efficiency.

In this article we’ll talk about both and will learn which one is better and why. So let’s start.

Table of Contents

What is USB PD Charging?

USB Power Delivery (USB PD) is a universal fast-charging standard developed by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF). With the help of it, devices and charging units communicate and negotiate suitable power levels for efficient charging.

USB PD supports higher power levels than conventional USB charging techniques, and hence it is appropriate for smartphones as well as larger-sized devices such as tablets and laptops.

Key Features of USB PD:

Universal Compatibility: It works for different devices, including smartphones, laptops, tablets, and more.

High Power Output: It delivers up to 240W of power, allowing for fast charging for demanding devices like laptops.

Fixed Voltage Levels: It also works at fixed voltage steps like 5V, 9V, 15V, and 20V.

Safety Mechanisms: Features safeguards against overheating and overcharging.

Fast Charging Speeds: It is capable of charging devices up to 70% quicker than standard chargers.

What is PPS Charging?

Programmable Power Supply (PPS) is an advanced feature introduced in USB PD 3.0. It is a step above what USB PD offers, as it allows real-time voltage and current adjustments during the charging process.

Dynamic power management is achieved with this, resulting in the best charging conditions to suit the needs of the specific device.

Key Features of PPS:

Dynamic Voltage Regulation: Enables voltage to be adjusted in steps as low as 20mV for accurate power delivery.

Increased Efficiency: Minimizes energy loss during charging by reducing conversion losses.

Better Battery Health: Prevents overheating and overcharging, thus extending battery life.

Less Heat Generated: Maintains devices at a lower temperature during charging than fixed-voltage chargers.

Real-Time Communication: Devices send information like battery capacity and temperature to the charger to deliver optimized power output.

Fast Charging Speeds: Provides quicker charging without sacrificing safety and efficiency.

USB PD vs PPS Fast Charging: Differences Between Both

While both USB PD and PPS chargers offer fast charging capabilities, there are some key differences between the two.

Read the mentioned table below to understand the difference better:

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

Which One Is Better?

When it comes to choosing between USB PD and PPS chargers, the decision ultimately depends on your specific needs and device requirements. Read the reasons below to know the which one is better:

For Universal Compatibility: USB PD is better because it supports a broader range of devices, including high-power gadgets like laptops that require up to 240W.
For Efficiency and Battery Longevity: PPS excels due to its dynamic voltage adjustments that reduce heat generation and improve battery health over time.
For Smartphones with Fast Charging Needs: PPS is often superior because it offers faster charging speeds while maintaining safety through real-time communication with the device.
For High-Power Applications (e.g., Laptops): USB PD is preferred as it can deliver much higher wattage compared to PPS chargers.

Conclusion

Both USB PD and PPS are great fast-charging technologies with distinct strengths. Nevertheless, PPS is a superior solution for the devices that support it owing to its dynamic voltage changes, higher efficiency, less heat generation, and better battery health.

On the other side, USB PD is still a universal solution for supplying power to a broad variety of devices with higher watt requirements.

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