What is the difference between PD3.0 and QC3.0?

This page clearly explains the differences between QC (Quick Charge) 3.0 and PD 3.0 in AC/DC Power Adapters — Desktop & Wall-Mount.

PD3.0 vs QC3.0

You often see labels like PD3.0 or QC3.0 at electronics retail stores — both are standards that enable fast charging for smartphones and tablets. However, it raises the question: what’s the difference between them?

Additionally, you may notice that some products support PD3.0, while others only support QC3.0.

Which standard offers faster charging?

The speed depends on the device, so determining which is faster can be quite difficult. The charging speed of a smartphone is influenced by the capabilities of that phone.

Differences between PD3.0 and QC3.0 for Android smartphones

For Android devices that support both PD3.0 and QC3.0 standards, QC3.0 is generally considered faster. This is due to INOV technology. The PD charging standard doesn't always provide the exact wattage or voltage that the device requires. Without it, the device defaults to the minimum power level. With QC3.0's INOV technology, this isn't the case — you always get the maximum voltage.

By the way, iPhones are unrelated to QC

Apple smartphones are a bit different from Android devices (including Google Pixel). These smartphones only support PD3.0 and are based on a different technology than QC.

Summary

From a charging perspective, each standard has its own strengths. PD3.0 is ideal for laptops and other peripherals that require high wattage. It supports up to 100W and allows optimal charging even while the device is in use (of course, this depends on whether the device supports up to 100W).

QC3.0 is especially suited for charging Android smartphones. Since it delivers precise voltage to the device, it can maximize battery performance.

At Unifive, we are currently developing foldable USB AC/DC Power Adapters — Desktop & Wall-Mount — with both PD and QC ports. With these, you can optimally supply power to a wide range of devices.