WolkyTech

Samsung Galaxy S20 just put iPhone12 on notice with new fast charging technology

Smartphones

The Galaxy S20 series can be charged at 25W with the adapter included in the box, while the S20 Ultra can be charged at 25W or optionally at 45W with a Samsung adapter sold separately.

This is fine if you only need one adapter, but if you need more, you will need to purchase another Samsung charger, which costs $34.99 for the 25W version and $49.99 for the 45W version. Alternatively, you could buy a third-party charger, which is cheaper, but will not charge at full speed.

But all that is about to change: according to BusinessWire (via The Verge), the S20 series, along with the Galaxy Note 10 Plus, has been certified by the USB Implementers' Forum with Certified USB Fast Charger status" is a first for a smartphone, meaning that any charger that supports the standard can charge the S20 and Note 10 Plus at maximum wattage.

This means that not only will you get the full speed promised on the back of the box if you buy a non-Samsung charger, but you can also reuse the fast charger you already have. Reusing a charger is also more environmentally friendly than buying a new charger.

This is also supported by a recent EU ruling that all phones must use USB-C to prevent the production of unnecessary chargers. This is not a problem for Samsung since it already uses USB-C, but Apple will have to replace its Lightning connector.

As for Apple, the company is now two large steps behind its eternal rival Samsung in charging technology. Not only does Apple not have this USB certification on its chargers, but even its fastest chargers are slower than what Samsung offers by default on its latest phones.

The iPhone 11 Pro comes bundled with an 18W fast charger, while the standard iPhone 11 comes with Apple's reliable but slow 5W adapter. Expect to see improved charging performance in the iPhone 12 later this year.

So, have we convinced ourselves that the Galaxy S20 is a great phone? We certainly are. We haven't finished our review yet, but at this point we are impressed with its compact frame, 120 Hz display, and very capable triple camera array.