USB C Technology & Phone Charging Speeds
What is USB C?
USB C is a standard connector for transmitting power and data on one cable. It was developed by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF). The USB-IF is a group of companies that develops, certifies and manages the USB standard. It has over 700 members, including Apple, Microsoft and Samsung.
USB C technology was released in 2014 and really began to gain traction a few years after launch. While many of the companies adopted USB C prior, Apple’s pivot to USB C with the launch of the iPhone 15 in September 2023 furthered broadened the technology’s reach.
USB C Technology & Charging
Apple’s move was an important one, as it opened the possibilities of USB C technology to a new set of users. With both data transfer and charging advantages over preceding USB A technology, USB C helps fully unlock the charging potential of the newest phones.
Here is a summary of the maximum wattages by device using USB A and USB C cables.
| Phone | Max Charge - USB A | Max Charge - USB A with QuickCharge |
USB C |
| Apple iPhone 16 | 12W | 18W | 38W |
| Samsung s25 | 12W | 18W | 45W* |
| Google Pixel 9 | 12W | 18W | 37W |
| Apple iPhone 15 | 12W | 18W | 27W |
*requires 5A cable
In short, USB C technology enables significantly greater charging speeds, sometimes over 3 times faster, versus USB A.
Choosing the Right Charger and Cable to Maximize Charging Speed
Instead of the cable it is your charging source that largely determines how fast your phone will charge. The standard Apple wall charger (aka “the white brick”) that previously came with the phones charges at 5W. Most charging supply companies now offer options that charge at 20W or 30W, which are 4x and 6x faster than the standard 5W brick. A 45W charger will get you to the maximum charge speed of almost any phone.
What is important to note is that all the faster chargers have a USB C, not USB A, port. As a result, to get the fastest charge on your phone you will need a USB C to USB C cable.
An Opportunity to Enable Fast Charging
When you are outfitting a new phone be sure to including chargers and cables with USB C ports and connectors. While your existing USB A port charger may offer convenience, in the long run you are limiting your phone’s charging capacity, a performance feature that will become more important the longer you get into your battery life.
Discover the Ventev brand’s fast-charging USB C chargers here.
To enable your phone’s full data transfer and charging speeds, check out Ventev USB C to USB C cables here.
