As we become more reliant on our mobile devices, that always seem to be on the verge of dying, it’s a good idea to be able to quickly add more juice to your device when you need it. If you’ve purchased a new Android phone or tablet recently, there’s a good chance it comes with Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 2.0 battery charging technology. Not only is it pretty cool tech, it’s a damn near requirement in today’s mobile world.
Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 2.0 is built to charge your device very quickly, from dead to about half-charged in about 30 minutes, using technology that regulates the amount of power your device is receiving while it charges. The first 50% or 60% of your devices charge time goes fairly quickly, slowing down the last 70% to 100%.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=37&v=VgTuaVHos0A
For Quick Charge 2.0 to work, you’ll need a device with a processor from the Snapdragon 800, 600, or 400 family, your device manufacturer will need to purchase a license from Qualcomm to use the tech (yes, some oddly don’t), and a Quick Charge 2.0 certified charger. While many OEMs provide you with a capable charger out of the box, if you’re on the go, it’s beneficial to have extra accessories in your charging arsenal.
Let’s take a look at the Aukey 3-port desktop charging station, 2-port car charger, and 10,400 mAh portable battery – all of which are Quick Charge 2.0 certified.
Aukey 3-port desktop charging station
The charger comes in at only 8.8 ounces and is only slightly larger than the included Turbo Charger with the Nexus 6. There’s a tiny green LED included that let’s you know the charger is plugged in, but doesn’t change or let you know if you’re actually charging. There’s also an included 3.3 feet long USB cable. The real benefit here is the fact that it has 3 separate charging ports, though only one of them is Quick Charge 2.0 compatible. The other two are standard and won’t steal power from the Quick Charge 2.0 port if you happen to charge multiple devices at the same time. In my testing, charging speeds were the same no matter what or how many devices I had plugged into the charger.
Minutes (1 device) Battery Percent 0 9% 10 21% 20 35% 30 48%
Minutes (3 devices) Battery Percent 0 11% 10 24% 20 36% 30 49%
(The above charging tests were done with a Nexus 6 that was powered on while charging.)
Specifications:
Aukey 2-port car charger
The Aukey dual USB car charger is similar to the desktop station above in that it has 1 Quick Charge 2.0 port and 1 standard charging port. The charger itself is quite small, easily fitting into your pocket, hand, or any nook or compartment your vehicle has to offer. It would be nice if it had an LED like the desktop model to let you know you’re plugged in, but sadly it’s missing. However like the desktop model, Aukey included a 3.3 feet long USB cable, which is nice. When it comes to charging, the device performed as intended as shown below.
Minutes (1 device) Battery Percent 0 22% 10 33% 20 45% 30 58%
(The above test was done with a Nexus 6 that was powered on while charging.)
Specifications:
Aukey 10,400 mAh portable battery
Last, but not least on the list is Aukey’s portable battery pack. Portable battery packs are a gift from the heavens while you’re traveling or if you know you’re going to be away from a power outlet for an extended period of time. What’s better than a portable charger? One with Quick Charge 2.0 of course.
Aukey’s offering is fairly light and stylish looking. The charger includes a power button, 4 blue LED lights that show you the status of the battery, and a short USB cable. Since this is a 10,400 mAh sized battery, you’ll be able to get multiple full charges out of this before the battery is fully depleted. For example, the Nexus 6 has a 3,220 mAH sized battery. That means you’d be able to get about 3 full charges out of this battery pack before it will need charged again.
Minutes (1 device) Battery Percent 0 4% 10 16% 20 28% 30 43%
(The above test was done with a Nexus 6 that was powered on while charging.)
Specifications:
Conclusion
How does Aukey’s Quick Charge 2.0 certified chargers hold up against OEM provided chargers? There’s no difference at all. In my testing, Aukey’s chargers performed at the exact same rates as my Google provided Motorola Turbo Charger, as it should.
All of the Aukey Quick Charge 2.0 chargers are available on Amazon Prime for under $30 each. In a world where battery life is a hot topic and something we’re all concerned about, having at least one additional Quick Charge 2.0 capable charger available is truly beneficial.