A Comprehensive Guide to Mobile "Fast Charging Protocols": QC, PD, PPS, VOOC, SCP – How to Choose?

As battery life has become a "must-have" for users, fast charging has evolved from a "premium feature" of high-end devices to a "standard configuration" for nearly all smartphones. However, you may have encountered such frustrations: using a 120W ultra-fast charger on an older phone only delivers 20W; or using a third-party PD charger on an OPPO device results in slower charging than the original. At the core of these issues lies the compatibility of mobile fast charging protocols.

Mainstream fast charging protocols today can be categorized into three types: international universal protocols (e.g., PD, PPS), chipmaker-specific protocols (e.g., Qualcomm QC), and brand-private protocols (e.g., VOOC, SCP). This article will break down the underlying logic, technical differences, and applicable scenarios of five major protocols to help you fully understand the ins and outs of "fast charging protocols."

1. International Universal Protocols: PD & PPS – The "Common Language" Across Brands

If other protocols are "dialects," USB-PD (USB Power Delivery) is the global "official Mandarin." Developed and standardized by the USB Developers Forum (USB-IF), it spans smartphones, laptops, tablets, and even electric vehicles, making it the most compatible fast-charging standard today.

PD’s key advantage is flexibility: by adjusting combinations of voltage (e.g., 5V/9V/12V/15V/20V) and current, it supports an ultra-wide power range from 15W to 240W (the latest USB-PD 3.1 specification extends this to 48V/5A=240W). For example, the iPhone 15 supports 30W PD 3.0 fast charging, while the MacBook Pro 16-inch can utilize 140W PD 3.1 ultra-fast charging—both with the same Type-C cable.

However, the "basic version" of pure PD has a drawback: fixed voltage steps lack granularity. When a phone needs to jump from 15V to 20V, the large voltage gap may cause energy loss or overheating. To address this, USB-IF introduced PPS (Programmable Power Supply) under PD, enabling real-time communication between chargers and devices to dynamically adjust voltage in small increments (e.g., 20mV/50mA steps, from 5V to 20V). This significantly improves charging efficiency. Flagships like the Samsung Galaxy S24 and Google Pixel 8 support PPS, allowing "charge while using" without speed reduction when paired with original chargers.

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2. Chipmaker Protocols: QC – Qualcomm’s "Veteran Contender"

Once the "fast-charging leader," Qualcomm Quick Charge (QC) dominated the Android camp (powering over 60% of global Android devices) thanks to the widespread adoption of Snapdragon chips. Its technical logic resembles PD but initially relied on a "high-voltage, low-current" approach (e.g., QC 3.0’s 9V/2A=18W), later evolving to "low-voltage, high-current" (QC 4+/5.0 supports 20V/3A=60W).

QC’s strength lies in deep integration with Snapdragon chips: through built-in power management modules, it precisely controls charging current to avoid overvoltage risks. However, it has clear limitations: first, narrow compatibility (only supports Snapdragon-powered phones); second, closed ecosystem (requires Qualcomm certification, making third-party accessories pricier). Today, as PD gains traction, QC’s market share has shrunk. Though the latest QC 5.0 supports 100W fast charging, it remains limited to a few high-end Snapdragon 8 Gen3 models.

3. Brand-Private Protocols: VOOC & SCP – Customized Solutions for "Extreme Fast Charging"

If international protocols are "universal tools," OPPO VOOC and Huawei SCP (Super Charge Protocol) are "exclusive weapons" tailored by smartphone brands for "ultimate fast charging."

1. VOOC: The "Safety-First" Representative of Low-Voltage, High-Current Charging

In 2014, OPPO launched VOOC Flash Charge (5V/4A=20W), quickly gaining fame with its "low-voltage, high-current" approach (contrasting with the high-voltage, low-current mainstream at the time). Its core technology is multi-channel charge pumps—splitting high current into parallel smaller currents to reduce heat loss (e.g., VOOC 3.0’s 30W solution uses dual 15V/2A channels).

VOOC excels in high efficiency and low heat: real-world tests show the OPPO Find X7 Ultra fully charges its 5000mAh battery in 30 minutes using the original VOOC 100W charger. Its low voltage (mostly under 10V) also reduces demands on data cables and ports (a standard Type-C cable suffices). However, it suffers from poor compatibility: VOOC requires "triple authentication" (phone, charger, data cable), making third-party accessories ineffective (even if used, charging may drop to 5W slow mode).

2. SCP: The "Performance-Oriented" Benchmark of High-Voltage, High-Current Charging

Huawei’s SCP (Super Charge) represents the "high-voltage, high-current" camp. Early versions (e.g., SCP 40W) used 10V/4A, later upgrading to 20V/5A=100W (e.g., Huawei Mate 60 Pro) and even lab-tested 20V/8A=160W. Its core innovation is dual-cell batteries + AI temperature control: splitting a 5000mAh battery into two 2500mAh cells (effectively "parallel charging") reduces voltage pressure on individual cells, while AI algorithms dynamically adjust current to prevent overheating.

SCP’s advantage is high power ceilings, ideal for large-battery phones (e.g., Huawei Mate series with 6000mAh+ batteries). However, it demands rigorous hardware: custom dual-cell batteries, high-spec data cables (some models require proprietary E-Marker cables), and cooling systems, raising costs. Like VOOC, SCP is also private—third-party chargers only support basic PD fast charging (e.g., using a PD charger on a Huawei Mate 60 Pro maxes out at 30W).

4. Protocol Mixing Guide: Balancing Safety and Efficiency

With so many protocols, how should users choose? Remember three key principles:

1. Prioritize original chargers: Private protocols (VOOC/SCP) are deeply integrated with a phone’s chipset and battery. Original chargers maximize fast-charging power and ensure safety (e.g., VOOC’s charge pumps, SCP’s dual-cell design).

2. Opt for PD/PPS for multi-device use: If you need one charger for phones, laptops, etc., PD 3.0/3.1 (especially PPS-enabled versions) is optimal. For example, a 100W PD 3.1 charger can power a Samsung S24 (45W PD) and a ThinkPad X1 (100W PD) simultaneously.

3. Avoid mixing incompatible protocols: Using a QC charger on a VOOC phone (e.g., a Xiaomi QC 4+ charger with an OPPO Reno11) may trigger only 5W slow charging due to protocol incompatibility. Forcing non-certified chargers also risks overvoltage (especially with VOOC/SCP devices).

Conclusion: The Future of Fast Charging Protocols – A Battle Between "Openness" and "Customization"

As USB-IF promotes the adoption of USB-PD 3.1 (supporting 240W ultra-fast charging), the global "unification" trend of international protocols is accelerating. Meanwhile, smartphone brands continue refining private protocols (e.g., OPPO’s SUPERVOOC 3.0, Huawei’s full-link fast charging) to boost efficiency via custom hardware.

For average users, there’s no need to chase "protocol counts"—align your choice with device needs (PD for multi-device use, private protocols for single-brand devices) and stick to original or certified accessories. After all, the essence of fast charging is not "parameter stacking," but "safely charging your device in the shortest time possible."