Most Android smartphones today support some form of fast charging, but in the US, many devices still ship with large batteries that lack true fast charging support. That’s why I prioritize fast charging over battery capacity when choosing a new smartphone.

4

Fast Charging Is Just More Convenient

Phones with 5,000 or even 6,000 mAh batteries are great, since most of them last through a full day of use, even for heavy users. However, the problem with some of them is that they don’t support truly fast charging. Having proper fast charging means I don’t have to worry about when or where I charge my phone. Even if I forget to plug it in overnight, I can still top it up quickly during a short break before heading out.

I’ve realized this more and more while using the best mid-range phone, the Google Pixel 9a. It comes with a large 5,100mAh battery, which is actually the largest battery ever in a Pixel phone. However, it only supports 23W wired charging. This means it takes nearly two hours to reach a full charge, which is inconvenient when I’m in a rush.

In contrast, a phone like the OnePlus 13 supports 80W charging and reaches full capacity in about half an hour. That is the kind of convenience I want. Even if I forget to charge overnight, I can plug it in for a few minutes in the morning and still walk out the door with enough battery to get through the day. Granted, the OnePlus 13 costs almost twice as much as the Pixel 9a, but fast charging is essential to most people.

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3

It Keeps My Battery Healthy

One of the drawbacks of using a phone with a big battery and slow charging is that you often have to charge it to 100% just to make sure it lasts the whole day. But with fast charging, I no longer worry about that. On my OnePlus 13, I’ve set a limit to charge only up to 80%, knowing that even if it drops low, I can quickly top it up in just a few minutes.

This approach also helps with battery health. Charging a phone from 0% to 100% repeatedly can lead to more wear and tear over time. By limiting my phone’s charge to 80%, I avoid stressing the battery too much and keep it in better shape. Sure, the charge cycles may be more frequent, but most modern batteries are designed to handle that. Charging them to 80% makes more sense than constantly draining them to zero and recharging to full again.

2

No More Anxiety Over Battery Percentage

We’ve all been there—that creeping anxiety when your battery hits 10%, and you’re nowhere near a charger. With phones that charge slowly, that stress builds quickly, especially if you, like me, rely on your phone for everything from work to navigation to payments. Fast charging has basically eliminated that anxiety for me.

Even if I forget to charge my phone or run it down while I’m out, I know I just need a quick plug-in for a few minutes, and I’m good. I no longer obsess over keeping my battery above 50% or panic when I see the red icon. Just five to ten minutes of charging is enough to keep me going for hours. It seems like a small difference, but in real life, it is a huge one.

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1

It Fits Better Into My Everyday Routine

I’m not someone who likes to leave their phone on the charger all night. While most phones now offer features like adaptive charging that complete charging just before you wake up, I still prefer to charge my phone for about half an hour while I’m taking a shower or doing other household chores.

As mentioned earlier, this is where fast charging fits perfectly into my routine. I don’t need to keep my OnePlus 13 plugged in overnight, because it charges up quickly whenever I need it.

All said and done, fast charging is one of the few technologies that has truly changed the way I use my smartphone. Back when I used the Google Pixel 7 Pro as my daily driver, I constantly had to deal with overnight charging and kept checking my battery every hour just to make sure I’d make it through the day.

Now, those worries are gone. I can rely on my phone without stressing about when to charge it. A big part of that also comes from the solid battery life on the OnePlus 13, but fast charging plays a huge role in keeping everything running smoothly.