“Does USB 3.2 Gen 1 support fast charging?”

(Answer requested by Rinki Singh)

No. Normal USB 3.2 Gen 1 combined data/power sockets can deliver a maximum of 900mA at 5v, for 4.5w total. It’s not meant for use has a high-power charging port. (USB standards — Wikipedia)

Separately, there are special-purpose USB PD (power-delivery) socket standards, and USB BC (battery-charging) socket standards; both of which can deliver higher power; but they are not the same as the normal USB 3.2 data+power sockets.

Even more confusing, USB 3.2 Gen 1 is really just a renaming of the previously-existing USB 3.0 standard; the name was retroactively changed for consistency with the naming conventions of later generations; but did not change the underlying standard itself. (See the Cnet article, “Making sense of current and confusing USB standards.”)

And, just to tie it with a really messy bow, there are also over 20 different “fast charging” technologies in play today. (See Digital Citizen’s “Fast charging standards.”)

Yes, it’s a mess.

So, the safest thing is NOT to assume that any USB port is capable of supplying high power and/or whatever flavor of fast charging that your device requires unless the USB port’s documentation or labelling explicitly claims such.

Permalink: https://langa.com/?p=3846

COMMENT / QUESTION on THIS ITEM? See the Comment box at bottom of this page!

NEW QUESTION? Ask here!

(Want free notification of new content? Click here!)