Updated 08/30/2020. Each component of a smartphone goes through a stage of progress from year to year. Now is the time to optimize the performance of batteries and chargers. It seemed that in this case it was very difficult to come up with something new. Nevertheless, today device manufacturers are constantly improving the technology - Xiaomi fast charging saves owners of modern gadgets from the redmi and mi line from nervous waiting, thereby allowing them to use the device more often.
How does Quick Charge work?
The operation of this option is based on the large consumption of current power during the power supply process itself (limit – 20W). If the battery is completely discharged, maximum power will be absorbed at the beginning of the power supply, and less and less as the power supply progresses.
Current power according to the formula is the product of current (I) and voltage (U). That is, by increasing the current power, either the voltage or the current increases, and in this situation the battery receives the necessary charge of energy faster.
A visual explanation of this principle:
xiaomi fast charging
Safe operation of Xiaomi Mi Quick Charge
A separate microcircuit, which is placed inside the battery, is responsible for the safe operation of this technology. It monitors battery temperature, incoming/outgoing electrical current parameters.
If the microcircuit detects that the parameters are outside safe limits, it opens the contacts and thereby turns off the battery. This allows you to prevent the smartphone from catching fire, but to restore its functionality you will have to replace the battery.
How did the creation of Quick Charge begin?
When the Quick Charge function was in its infancy, developers tried different methods to reduce the time it takes to recharge the battery. Originally, Quick Charge was based on increasing the current. The first power supplies had the ability to receive a current of 2A at a voltage of 5V. As a result, the required power was 10 watts.
But this method was unpromising, since subsequent work with the current required a change in the cross-section of the wire, and it was decided to increase the voltage instead of the current.
Since it was impossible to produce the maximum voltage “out of the blue,” special controllers began to be added to the motherboard, which are capable of receiving voltage greater than the usual 5 Volts, converting it into the required battery charge.
How does the charging process work?
From the user's point of view, the process remains the same. We insert the power supply into the socket and the data cable into the smartphone connector, as usual. The Quick Charge chip adjusts the electricity output from the power supply so that energy is accumulated as quickly as possible.
The exact values of volts and amperes differ between versions of the standard. Some sources say that you need to multiply the output voltage by the amperage, the resulting number should be greater than 10. In this case, the adapter supports Quick Charge.
Characteristics and differences between Quick Charge versions
Today there are 4 lines of this technology, but for the most part the manufacturer Xiaomi uses only three:
xiaomi fast charging
- Quick Charge 1.0 – version presented in 2013. Literally immediately won consumer sympathy and was used in many phones. It allowed the device to be charged 40% faster than usual, which means that the phone could be half charged after 40-50 minutes. It was in almost every phone with a Snapdragon processor.
- Quick Charge 2.0 - an improved version of fast charging helped charge the gadget even faster. The charge was at half capacity after 30 minutes.
- Quick Charge 3.0 - very similar to the previous one, with the exception of a new significant function “INOV” - Intelligent Negotiation for Optimum Voltage - the most accurate selection of the voltage required for charging and monitoring the “well-being” of the gadget. After 20 minutes, the phone can be charged by 50%, and after half an hour – by 70%!
- Quick Charge 4.0 – version based on the new Snapdragon 835 processor. Fills the battery halfway after 15 minutes.
In mid-2021, the manufacturer presented a new version from Qualcomm - Quick Charge 4+, which can charge 2750 mAh batteries by half in less than 15 minutes, and with a 5-minute charge the phone can last up to 5 hours.
xiaomi fast charging
Xiaomi announced the fastest wireless charging technology
As part of a special press conference in China, Xiaomi introduced a new ultra-fast wireless charging technology for smartphones.
Mi Charge Turbo has become the world's first technology that is capable of transmitting up to 30 W of power over the air. According to Xiaomi, Mi Charge Turbo can fully charge a 4,000 mAh battery in just 69 minutes, replenishing the capacity from 0% to 50% in an even more impressive 25 minutes.
Interestingly, the new technology also supports fast reverse wireless charging, allowing you to quickly charge headphones, smartwatches and other compatible devices from a Mi Charge Turbo-enabled smartphone. For example, the Apple iPhone XS can be charged up to 20% in 30 minutes.
During the event, Xiaomi officially confirmed that Mi Charge Turbo will debut on the upcoming flagship Mi 9 Pro 5G. The new product will receive a battery of the same capacity as during testing - 4,000 mAh.
Thanks to this, the smartphone will feature a total of three types of fast charging: wired fast charging, fast wireless charging and fast reverse wireless charging. Additionally, the Chinese manufacturer is already testing a 40-watt version of Mi Charge Turbo technology.
It is worth adding that Xiaomi will most likely not be the only company on the market with ultra-fast wireless charging technology. It is known that Huawei is still working on similar technology. It is expected that its maximum power will be the same 30 W.
Source: https://trashbox.ru/link/2019-09-09-xiaomi-mi-charge-turbo-30w-wireless-charging
Smartphones that support Xiaomi Quick Charge
Unfortunately, not all Xiaomi phones support the fast charging option.
Quick Charge Version 1.0:
- Xiaomi Redmi Note Prime;
Quick Charge 2.0 version:
- Xiaomi Redmi 5;
- Xiaomi Redmi 4x;
- Xiaomi Mi Note;
- Almost the entire Mi line.
Quick Charge 3.0 version:
- Mi Note 3;
- Xiaomi Mi Mix 2;
- Xiaomi Mi Mix;
- Xiaomi Mi Max;
- Xiaomi Mi Max 2;
- Xiaomi Mi 6.
Quick Charge 4.0 version:
- Already installed on: Xiaomi Mi 8;
- Probably will be installed on: Xiaomi Mi 7, Mi Note 3 Plus, Mi 6 Plus.
Full list of models:
xiaomi fast charging
Some users of the Xiaomi a1 smartphone, after updating the firmware to Android Oreo, thought that the new firmware version supported Quick Charge 3.0, since when the phone was charging, a saying “Fast charging” appeared. However, this is a misconception. Testing attempts have proven the opposite, which indicates the absence of a fast charging function on the Xiaomi a1 phone.
If your phone model is not in the list, you will not be able to add/purchase Xiaomi Redmi fast charger.
How to enable fast charging on Xiaomi
In order to activate the fast charging function on a Xiaomi smartphone, you do not need to go into the settings or use the help of a PC.
Xiaomi phones either have this feature right away or they don't. Quick Charge is located in the power pack itself.
To make sure that your smartphone is equipped with this option, inspect the unit. It should contain data on current (A) and voltage (V). If these parameters, when multiplied, give a power above 10 Watts (while conventional chargers absorb only about 4.5 Watts), and the fast charging icon is visible, this is indeed a Xiaomi fast charging cable, and you are the happy owner of a smartphone with this function.
xiaomi fast charging
Is fast charging harmful and how to save your battery?
There is an opinion among users that using an accelerated battery replenishment cycle leads to rapid wear. To be fair, it is worth noting that the battery will wear out a little faster, but not by much.
Manufacturers and scientists are constantly improving technology, thereby reducing heating and introducing new algorithms for gentle charging.
Much more damage to the battery is caused by cheap, low-quality accessories, using a smartphone while charging, long-term storage at a low charge level (below 10%) and prolonged exposure to cold or open sun.
And then, what difference does it make how quickly your battery can “disappear” if in a couple of years your phone inevitably becomes obsolete and requires replacement.
Xiaomi does not recommend using the QC adapter with conventional devices where there is no fast charging icon on the screen. In this case, an increased voltage or current at the output will really ruin your gadget and it will stop turning on.
A warm and thick case can pose a significant danger to the gadget, due to which the temperature of the device can rise above critical values.
Is it worth using a power supply that has a fast charging function with regular phones?
If your smartphone is not in the above lists, it means it is not equipped to charge the battery in a short time. And an attempt to do this using a much earlier released phone with a special Quick Charge unit can lead to overvoltage, fire or breakdown of the gadget - it will simply stop turning on.
Does using this function affect the smartphone itself or the battery?
There are a lot of scary opinions about Quick Charge:
- The fast charging option also works in the opposite direction - it absorbs battery power faster;
- Damages the battery and causes it to wear out faster;
- It is impossible or dangerous to charge your phone using Quick Charge if it is turned off.
All of the above does not have any substantiated arguments and are myths. Moreover, a huge number of people are working on the development of fast charging functions, and many tests and experiments have been carried out to prove that the phone and its battery are completely safe when using Quick Charge or using other innovations in this industry.
The only thing you should avoid when recharging the phone in this case is thick, dense cases and any objects located on the phone itself (pillows, clothes, blankets), as this can also lead to excessive heating or overvoltage.
Fast charging function does not work
There are several reasons why Quick Charge refuses to work:
- First of all, the phone will not charge when relying on this function due to the initial lack of such an option. If this option is important to you, when purchasing a phone, check with your consultant in advance about its availability in the selected model. As mentioned earlier, simply purchasing a charger with this function and putting it into use does not bring anything good.
- If your phone is included in the list of models with Quick Charge, but fast charging still does not occur, make sure that you are using an original Xiaomi power supply. Don't forget to also find the necessary data about power, current and voltage.
- Not updated firmware. Some Xiaomi smartphone models, even those with the ability to charge the phone using Quick Charge, must be updated to the latest version.
- The fast charging option may be disabled if the phone is fully used while powered, or if there are foreign objects on it;
- Problems with the firmware or with the phone itself.
xiaomi fast charging
Harm to your phone battery
There are many rumors about the dangers of fast charging, but they cannot be confirmed in real conditions. The only serious danger to the phone that a charger with increased voltage can bring is a decrease in the number of charge cycles.
Fast charging technology has been thoroughly tested during development. In addition, it has been used by consumers for several years now. Accordingly, if you use only an original charger to charge Xiaomi, you will only get benefits from fast charging technology.
As you can see, QuickCharge is an excellent technology that allows you to charge your phone in the shortest possible time, which is very useful if your rhythm of life does not allow you to leave your smartphone connected to the network for a long time.
However, do not forget about safety when using a QuickCharge charger with a higher voltage. Be sure to use a proprietary charger. If you had to change the factory memory unit, then make sure that the memory version and the version on the phone are compatible to avoid unpleasant consequences for the battery.
What not to do while charging
Many of the myths mentioned above are born from the incorrect use of the fast charging function.
To avoid experiencing similar battery failures in the future, you need to be able to properly handle Quick Charge technology.
When using this function, pay attention to the following:
- Using the phone during power supply (especially excessive use) can lead to overheating, as mentioned earlier, and disrupt the joint operation of the phone with the power supply;
- Charging the phone only at maximum power - if you constantly charge the phone only at the expense of this very maximum power, which arrives in a fairly short time, and by half, the operation of the fast charging function may also be disrupted and will soon wear out, so resort to using this function only if necessary.
