PD Charging vs QC Charging: What Is the Difference?
How Does Fast Charging Work?
Standard charging delivers a fixed, low voltage to your device. Fast charging works by increasing either the voltage or the current — or both — to transfer more power in less time. The charger and the device communicate with each other to agree on how much power to exchange, ensuring the battery charges quickly without overheating or being damaged. Both PD and QC are fast charging protocols that use this negotiation process. They differ in who developed them, which devices they support, and how they handle power delivery.
What Is PD Charging?
USB Power Delivery (PD) is a fast charging standard developed by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF). It operates over USB-C and allows devices to request a specific voltage and current based on what they need. Rather than delivering a fixed output, PD adjusts dynamically — a phone might draw 20W while a laptop draws 65W from the same charger. PD is a universal standard, meaning it works across phones, tablets, laptops, and accessories regardless of brand. iPhone 8 and later, iPad, MacBook, Android phones, and most USB-C laptops all support PD charging. A rorry portable charger with PD output can fast-charge all of these devices from the same port.
PD Versions: 2.0 / 3.0 / 3.1
PD 2.0 supports up to 100W output and covers most everyday charging needs for phones, tablets, and small laptops.
PD 3.0 introduced PPS (Programmable Power Supply), which allows even finer voltage adjustments — down to 20mV increments. This reduces heat generation during charging and improves battery longevity. Most modern smartphones that support fast charging use PD 3.0 with PPS.
PD 3.1 expanded the ceiling to 240W, enabling USB-C to replace proprietary laptop chargers for high-performance machines. For phones and tablets, PD 3.0 remains the relevant standard.
What Is QC Charging?
Quick Charge (QC) is a proprietary fast charging technology developed by Qualcomm. It is designed for devices running Qualcomm Snapdragon processors and works by stepping up the voltage delivered to the battery — typically to 9V or 12V — while maintaining a safe current level.
QC is primarily an Android standard. Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, OnePlus, Xiaomi, and most other Android flagships have historically shipped with QC support. iPhones do not support QC — they use PD exclusively. Many power banks include QC-compatible output ports alongside PD ports to cover both device types.
QC Versions: 2.0 / 3.0 / 5.0
QC 2.0 introduced stepped voltage output at 5V, 9V, and 12V, providing noticeably faster charging than standard USB-A. It was widely adopted in Android phones from 2014 onward.
QC 3.0 added INOV (Intelligent Negotiation for Optimum Voltage), which adjusts voltage in 200mV increments from 3.6V to 20V rather than jumping between fixed steps. This improved efficiency and reduced heat compared to QC 2.0.
QC 5.0, introduced in 2020, supports over 100W and charges compatible devices from 0 to 50% in approximately five minutes. It also integrates with USB PD, meaning QC 5.0 chargers can operate as PD chargers for non-Qualcomm devices.
PD vs QC: What’s the Actual Difference?
| Feature | USB Power Delivery (PD) | Quick Charge (QC) |
| Developer | USB-IF (open standard) | Qualcomm (proprietary) |
| Connector | USB-C only | USB-A and USB-C |
| Max output | Up to 240W (PD 3.1) | Up to 100W+ (QC 5.0) |
| Voltage adjustment | Dynamic, fine-grained (PPS in PD 3.0) | Stepped (QC 2.0/3.0) or fine-grained (QC 5.0) |
| Device compatibility | Universal — iPhone, Android, iPad, MacBook, laptops | Primarily Qualcomm Android devices |
| iPhone support | Yes | No |
| Backward compatible | Yes | Yes |
Which Devices Support PD and QC?
PD-compatible devices include iPhone 8 and later (via USB-C or Lightning to USB-C cable), all iPad models with USB-C, MacBook and MacBook Pro, most Android flagships, Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy S series, and USB-C laptops from Dell, HP, Lenovo, and others.
QC-compatible devices include most Android phones with Qualcomm Snapdragon processors — Samsung Galaxy (select models), Google Pixel, OnePlus, Xiaomi, Motorola, and others. Note that not all Samsung devices use Qualcomm chips, and compatibility varies by region and model.
Overlap: Many recent Android phones support both PD and QC. QC 4.0 and 5.0 are built on USB PD, so a charger supporting those standards works as a PD charger for non-QC devices as well.
iPhones: PD only. A QC charger will technically charge an iPhone, but will not trigger fast charging — it will fall back to standard 5W output.
How Do You Choose Between PD and QC?
If you primarily use an iPhone, iPad, or MacBook, PD is the only standard that applies. A USB-C PD charger at 20W or higher will fast-charge all of them.
If you use Android devices with Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, QC delivers the fastest speeds on those specific devices. A QC 3.0 or QC 5.0 charger will charge them faster than a PD-only charger in many cases.
If you use a mix of devices, a charger that supports both PD and QC covers everything. Most multi-port GaN chargers now include at least one USB-C PD port and one USB-A QC port. A 45W power bank with PD output handles fast charging across iPhone, Android, and iPad without needing separate chargers for each.
The safe rule: if you are unsure which standard your device uses, PD is the more universally compatible choice going forward. Most manufacturers — including Apple, Google, and Samsung — have aligned on USB-C PD as the primary charging standard for new devices.
How Do You Know If Your Charger Supports PD or QC?
Check the label. Look for “PD,” “Power Delivery,” “QC,” or “Quick Charge” printed on the charger itself or in its spec sheet. PD chargers typically list a wattage with variable voltage (e.g., 5V/3A, 9V/2A, 20V/3A). QC chargers list stepped voltages such as 5V/3A, 9V/2A, or 12V/1.5A. Check the port. USB-C ports on a charger most commonly indicate PD support. USB-A ports with a QC logo indicate Quick Charge. Some chargers include both. Check the product page. If the charger is sold without clear markings, the manufacturer’s product listing will specify which protocols are supported. Choosing fast charging standards that match your device makes a measurable difference in both speed and battery health over time. Use a charging meter. A USB power meter plugged between the charger and phone will show the real-time voltage and current, confirming whether PD or QC negotiation is active.
FAQ
Can I use a PD charger with a QC device?
Yes. A PD charger will charge a QC device, but it may not reach the maximum speed the device supports unless the charger also supports QC. QC 4.0 and 5.0 devices are built on PD, so modern PD chargers often work at full speed with those devices.
Does QC work with iPhone?
No. iPhones use USB Power Delivery exclusively. A QC charger will charge an iPhone at standard speed only.
Is PD better than QC?
For most users today, PD is more broadly compatible and more future-proof since it is the open standard the industry is converging on. QC remains faster on specific Qualcomm Android devices, but the gap has narrowed significantly with QC 4.0/5.0 integrating PD.
What is PPS?
Programmable Power Supply (PPS) is a feature of PD 3.0 that allows extremely fine voltage adjustments during charging. It reduces heat generation and extends battery life compared to fixed-step charging. Most modern Android flagships support PPS charging.
Can one charger support both PD and QC?
Yes. Most quality multi-port chargers include ports for both. USB-C ports typically handle PD, while USB-A ports handle QC. Some USB-C ports also support QC 4.0 or 5.0 simultaneously.
Conclusion
PD is a universal open standard that works across iPhones, Android devices, tablets, and laptops over USB-C. QC is Qualcomm’s proprietary standard optimised for Android devices with Snapdragon processors. For most people buying a new charger today, PD is the more versatile choice — and any charger supporting QC 4.0 or 5.0 will also handle PD devices. Rorry portable chargers support USB-C PD output, so whether you’re charging an iPhone, an Android phone, or a tablet, you get fast, reliable power from a single device.
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