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Currently, the default power that Android detects as “fast charging” is 7.5W. This figure is far behind the big advances in modern industry. However, that could change with Android 15, raising the threshold to 20W.
The Android market is full of options with support for high-power fast charging. Commercially, you can find devices with up to 240W fast charging. Meanwhile, brands like Redmi and Realme are even working on reaching 300W. On the other hand, the Android fast charging detection system has not changed at the same rate.
Android 15 would finally tweak the 7.5W fast charging threshold
Android (AOSP) recognizes “fast charging” when your device receives 7.5W of power. That said, each manufacturer is completely free to tweak these values to adjust them to their own fast-charging technologies. However, Google Pixels use the default values set in the AOSP code. This can make it a little difficult for Pixel users to determine if their chargers are working correctly. After all, your lock screen will show a “Fast charging” message even though your device is receiving less than 8W.
It’s noteworthy that Google Pixel devices have not kept pace with the rest of the industry with respect to charging power. The Pixel 8 Pro, the brand’s most premium mobile, supports a maximum of 30W. So, it is possible that this lack of progress has been carried over to the AOSP code. Anyway, a recent finding suggests that Android 15 would detect “fast charging” starting at 20W.
It would mainly help Google Pixel users
Considering the advances available in the industry, 20W still seems a bit short. However, it makes sense considering that Google Pixel devices are the ones that use AOSP fast charging detection. Other manufacturers probably tweak the values to adapt them to the possibilities of their devices. Nor are major advances expected in terms of fast charging for the Pixels in the short term.
The source found the new 20W value in the latest Android 15 beta. However, it is not implemented yet, so the phones running that version still detect fast charging by receiving only 7.5W. Google is expected to definitively push the new values in the first Android 15 stable update. It is even possible that it will occur in future Android 15 betas.
Although this tweak won’t change your life, it will make things easier. Now Google Pixel users will actually know if their devices are charging at relatively high power.