Source: OPPO
Innovations in the fast-charging space have continuously been pushed by Chinese brands. OPPO used Mobile World Congress to talk about its new 150W SuperVOOC fast-charging standard, which it claims can charge a 4,500mAh battery from 1 percent to 50 percent in five minutes, then to 100 percent in just 15. It plans to bring the technology first to its OnePlus sub-brand in the second quarter.
OnePlus, we've heard, has plans to launch the OnePlus 10 Pro in more markets later this year. But that won't be the device to feature this technology. OPPO introduced 125W SuperVOOC fast-charging in 2020, but that wasn't launched in any of the company's products.
As for concerns about the effects of this high-wattage charging on the device's battery, OnePlus says it will maintain as much as 80 percent of its rated capacity after 1,600 charge cycles with 150W SuperVOOC thanks to its "Battery Health Engine" technology. It also supports other fast-charging protocols like Programmable Power Supply, Power Delivery, and Quick Charge, allowing SuperVOOC to charge non-OnePlus phones without the 150W charging speed, though.
On top of 150W charging tech, OPPO does have a proof of concept for a 240W fast-charging solution. This tech can charge a 4,500mAh battery to 100 percent in just nine minutes. But OPPO hasn't shared any immediate plans to commercialize this technology.
Another sister brand of OPPO also has 150W charging in the works. realme, owned by BBK Electronics (OPPO and OnePlus's parent company), announced its 150W UltraDart tech, with the brand making similar charging speed claims as OPPO. realme already plans to introduce the charging technology in its upcoming GT Neo 3 handset.