One of the more interesting tech specs Samsung is marketing for the new Galaxy Note 10+ is its ability to accept 45W fast charging. However, the charger in the box is rated at only 25W, so how do you unlock this faster speed?
(In case you’re wondering, no, the standard Note 10 does not also accept 45W fast charging. This was an area of huge confusion ahead of the Note 10’s official release, which is why there is so much contradictory info on the web right now. Though it does support USB Power Delivery it maxes out at 25W wired and 12W wireless, while only the Plus can handle 45W wired and 15W wireless.)
In order to get the full 45W charging on Note 10+ you’ll need to purchase a USB-C PD charger – but not just any Power Delivery charger, it must be one that supports PD 3.0 with Programmable Power Supply (PPS).
Without going too much into the specifics, this is because in addition to the adaptor offering the typical 5V, 9V, 15V and 20V ratings of a standard PD charger it needs to be able to offer the Note 10 Plus’ non-standard 10V, which Samsung has opted for in preference over 15V/3A which would generate too much heat. And if it can’t deliver 4.5A at 10V (aka 45W) it will instead step down to 3A at 9V (aka 27W).
In what is likely to be only a short matter of time we will find all manner of USB-C PD 3.0 chargers with PPS support that can output 4.5W at 10V.
Right now, it’s probably going to be easier to buy Samsung’s official 45W charger… Or it would be if it were available. In the US it is listed on Best Buy as coming soon at $49.99; in the UK Mobile Fun has it for pre-order at £41.99 with stock expected in the next week or two.
Author: Marie Black, Editorial Director, International
Marie is Editorial Director at Foundry. A Journalism graduate from the London College of Printing, she's worked in tech media for almost 20 years, covering all types of consumer tech from smartphones and their accessories to smart home gear. These days she manages our international editorial teams and leads on content strategy, having witnessed first-hand Foundry's transition from print, to digital, to online - and beyond.