generation phones charge 50 percent more USB-PD chargers aren’t just power chargers— quickly than conventional 5-watt charging they’re miniature computers in and of THE 5 STANDARD for a device similar to a Nexus 6P. Unlike themselves. When a USB-C device connects to POWER PROFILES Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 3.0, which also a charger, the device interfaces with a special OF USB-PD works with the USB-C connector, the USB- controller in the charger. These chargers can PD protocol can safely handle a wider range have many different power delivery “profiles,” • Up to 5V max of devices (Quick Charge 3.0 is restricted to which are pegged to the different voltage (3 Amps max) products with Snapdragon™ chipsets), and levels specifically required by devices of • Up to 9V max allows more devices to interact with a single completely different sizes, like a smartphone (3 Amps max) charger controller. and a laptop. A chipset in the charger • Up to 15V max automatically determines which profile it is (3 Amps max) USB-PD also offers major benefits for interfacing with, and matches the appropriate • Up to 20V max tomorrow’s phones and tablets. They will voltage to the device. The number of profiles (3 Amps max) have even more demands on the processor depends on the device, with some chargers • Up to 20V and graphic fronts, and USB-PD-based rapid just supporting charging smartphones at (5 Amps max, requires a charging means that they won’t have to sit faster speeds, while computers and other dedicated 5-Amp cable) tethered to a charger for hours daily. Belkin devices charge at slower speeds. However, has found that a staggering 61.8 percent of higher-end USB-PD chargers can have up customers are likely to buy a charger that can to five different standard power profiles (or recharge a phone within minutes1… and USB- possibly more if manufacturers implement PD makes that a possibility. their own specific voltage profiles), allowing support for anything from a smartphone to a For users, USB-PD also means an end to power-hungry laptop from the same charger. storing and carrying around multiple charging adapters for different devices. Manufacturers In order for USB-PD to work to its full are committing to integrating USB-PD into potential, both the device and the charger future devices. This means the same charger need to have embedded USB-PD controller can be used on phones, tablets, laptops, chips, and share the correct settings for and other devices. voltage and amperage. But even if the device doesn’t, Belkin’s The public expects more mobility from their chargers are backward-compatible, and computing experiences, and USB-PD offers support the highest amperage for any given that. The protocol offers access to powerful voltage profile, so they will work with as many accessories at home, and the ability to devices as possible. take their computing with them on the go. With USB-PD, laptops or ultrabooks can be Even Apple, which has traditionally released connected to a single USB-C cable. In turn, the its own proprietary cords and chargers, is USB-C cable is connected up to a dock that embracing USB-PD. The computing and mobile provides power and connection to all kinds giant now offers USB-C to Lightning Cables3 of other devices such as an external HDD, and promotes fast charging on the iPad Pro The wireless speakers, printers, keyboard, mouse, (12.9-inch) via USB-PD (optimally at 14.5 volts, charging protocols and monitor. maximum 2 Amps, while other voltage levels may be supported up to 2 Amps maximum). Qi and PMA are To give one example of how this changes incompatible with things, an external HDD traditionally requires INNOVATIONS 2: each other. They two cable connections: one for power, WIRELESS CHARGING are promoted the other for data. With USB-C and Power Delivery, only one cable is required since USB-PD and conventional charging by two different both data and power transfer through the technologies like USB-C and Quick Charge organizations: The same connection. 3.0 aren’t the only change to the way devices Wireless Power charge—wireless charging is changing things Consortium (Qi) There’s also a lot of momentum behind as well. Wireless charging protocols such as this technology. According to industry blog Qi4 (pronounced “chee”) and PMA5 make it and the AirFuel Electronic Design, USB-C has the highest possible to recharge smaller devices such as 2 Alliance (PMA). adoption rate of any USB protocol in history2. phones by placing them on top of a charger— without wires. The two protocols, which are the market is expected to account for incompatible with each other, are promoted by $22.25 billion by 2022 and manufacturers two different organizations: The Wireless are rushing to integrate the technology into Power Consortium (Qi) and the AirFuel their phones. Wireless charging is also being Alliance (PMA). integrated into home furniture like coffee MAJOR USB-PD- tables and nightstands by manufacturers like 7 COMPATIBLE Both PMA and Qi allow for wireless charging Ikea , as well as luxury cars like the 2016 through a technique that’s roughly similar to BMW 7 Series.8 DEVICES ON how a wireless electric toothbrush recharges. MARKET TODAY When coils in the phone and in the charger Research conducted by Belkin indicates that are in very close contact, and aligned in the users don’t seek to use wireless charging as Apple center, electricity flows safely and wirelessly their primary charging method but that they iPad Pro (12.9-inch) from the charger to the phone. There is a do value the convenience the technology MacBook bit of tolerance built in for situations like the offers, especially in public places. Samsung Asus phone being enclosed in a case, or placed is the main adoptee of the technology as of Book Flip slightly off-center with the wireless charger, mid-2016, with wireless charging integrated EeeBook E202 but, otherwise, the phone has to lie directly into many Galaxy phones without the need of T100HA Transformer on the charger—and unless the charger works a special USB adapter, but other manufacturers Google with both protocols, the phone and charger such as LG are expected to integrate wireless Chromebook Pixel have to match up in the protocol they use. charging in the next several years. Nexus 5X Nexus 6P Manufacturers like Belkin allow for the best Pixel C experience possible with these technologies Meanwhile, consumers and end users have by implementing designs that are certified something even better to look forward to: the HP Elite x3 directly by the Wireless Power Consortium speed at which phones charge will become Pro Tablet 608 and AirFuel Alliance. much faster. In mid-2015, Qi announced Pavilion x2 updates to their protocol that allow for rapidly HTC Qi is the more commonly found protocol, with charging at 15 watts, which is up to three times One M10 most compatible devices capable of outputting faster than wireless chargers today. These 1 Amp at 5 volts—which is considerably less speeds are now similar to what wired charging Huawei MateBook than what conventional wired chargers offer offers via USB-PD and Quick Charge 3.0. for recharging devices. Chargers featuring LG Qi technology are primarily marketed to home Belkin offers several wireless phone chargers, G5 and office consumers, and are readily and focuses on compatibility with both Nokia/Microsoft available from manufacturers (including protocols so users can be assured their phone Lumia 950 Belkin) through online retailers, big box stores, will charge. These include the first-to-market Lumia 950 XL and specialty outlets. F8M744tt for both Qi and PMA users, and the Samsung F8M741tt for Qi users. Galaxy TabPro S PMA is a system that recharges devices at similar rates to Qi. However, unlike Qi, A SIMPLER FUTURE businesses can access an analytics service offered by Powermat Technologies that The electronics industry is adopting USB-C monitors metrics including how much time at a staggering rate thanks to, among other users spend charging their phone6. According things, the rapid charging that USB-PD offers. to Powermat, they offer businesses the ability Major manufacturers such as Google, LG, HTC, to send contextual messages including special Samsung, and even Apple have begun using The electronics offers and surveys to customers’ phones as USB-C and USB-PD in their products to some industry is well. While the Qi model is based around degree. Many of these same manufacturers bringing wireless chargers into homes and have begun to integrate wireless charging into adopting USB-C at offices, Powermat Technology monetizes their product plans as well. a staggering rate wireless chargers in coffee shops, restaurants, thanks to, among and stores by turning them into vehicles While the market for other USB devices and other things, the for advertising. cables will live on for some time, Belkin wants to bring the benefits of USB-PD and wireless rapid charging that Market consulting firm Grandview Research charging to a mass audience as quickly as 3 USB-PD offers. says that this rapidly growing sector of possible. A world where we only need one cord for our phone, tablet, and laptop—or no cord charging that works through hard surfaces and at all—is just around the corner, and it’s an doesn’t require exact alignment of devices— exciting thing. this can be used in the near future for things like charging a smartphone in the cup holder In the future, we expect to see USB-PD of your car at any angle. While magnetic transform USB-C into a rival to the standard resonance charging has not made it into the AC outlet. Well-produced USB-C- and USB- mainstream of the consumer and enterprise PHONES THAT PD-compliant accessories allow for quick, safe, technology worlds just yet, it is expected to OFFER WIRELESS and seamless power and data transfer without drastically increase customer satisfaction with QI/POWERMAT juggling multiple accessories. wireless charging. CHARGING Power strips of the future may potentially have THE BELKIN DIFFERENCE Google up to six USB-C ports, all outputting enough Nexus 5 power to bring everything in your home to life. Belkin’s top priorities for all charging Nexus 7 Tablet With the rise of smart homes, this also means products—whether for USB-PD, wireless Nokia/Microsoft plugging into an outlet may also allow devices charging, or otherwise—are safety and quality. Lumia 950 to transmit and receive data at rapid speed. Belkin strenuously tests all of their chargers Lumia 950 XL For instance, users could use the outlets and cables, and makes sure that customers can to upload music or videos to a central data easily use them without worry. Samsung repository that projects images and plays Galaxy S7 music in different rooms. Extensive testing such as Belkin’s is especially Galaxy S6 important for USB-PD products as they are Galaxy S6 edge Importantly, they’re going to get better—right used for much higher power outputs than in Galaxy S6 edge+ Galaxy S6 active now, most USB-PD-compliant devices cap out the past. These higher power outputs mean Galaxy Note 5 at 60 watts even though the standard allows that there isn’t just a risk of shoddy, badly for up to 100 watts. Once perfected, this will tested chargers breaking down as in the Other phones can be allow high-powered devices to use USB-PD- past—they can also cause bodily injury for enabled with wireless compliant chargers and cables in lieu of AC users. In the United Kingdom, for instance, the charging with the outlets and converters. Alternately, wireless London Fire Brigade regularly posts pictures addition of an insert card charging could dispense with the need to their Twitter feed showing fires started or external phone case, for wires and let users charge phones and by counterfeit chargers. Belkin tests all their including many iPhone models. tablets overnight simply by leaving them on chargers extensively, which can’t be said for their nightstand. many of the cheaper, low-end chargers on the market. Because previous iterations of USB have been around for more than 15 years, they Poor quality control from some of Belkin’s haven’t necessarily kept pace with the latest cheaper competitors has even led Amazon technological innovations. Charging through to ban the sale of some cables. In March micro-USB, for instance, can’t offer delivery of 2016, the e-commerce giant banned the rates comparable to USB-PD. sale of many USB-C cables and devices9; the banned products don’t adhere to standard In the coming years—especially as major specifications issued by the USB Implementers trade shows such as the Consumer Electronics Forum. Belkin’s cables are USB Implementers Show and Mobile World Congress allow Forum compliant10 and the company manufacturers to debut their new flagship believes in rigorous design and engineering, products—Belkin expects to see USB-C and always maintains the highest quality penetration into smartphones and tablets, and standards in their manufacturing processes. USB-PD penetration into cables and chargers Testing adheres to USB Implementers Forum Belkin’s USB-C cables expand greatly. In the coming years, expect benchmarks so customers can rest assured are USB-IF compliant... most flagship devices to be based around the their cables will work safely and efficiently11. In so customers can rest rapid charging and data transfer opportunities addition, Belkin’s chargers follow USB-IF specs assured their cables USB-PD offers. to the letter. will work safely and There is also an up-and-coming wireless In other words, quality matters. Because a 4 efficiently. charging protocol called magnetic resonance single charger or cable serves devices ranging from phones to laptops in the post-USB-PD Their wireless charging portfolio will continue HOW DO I GET IT? world, customers need to make sure they have to support both Qi and Powermat, and To get Power the best product possible—and not to worry safe and quick wireless charging of phones Delivery, you need that their cheap accessories will short out and similar devices. As wireless charging devices, render them useless, or even worse. capabilities are added to more phones and 3 things: tablets in the future, they’ll be keeping close Belkin sees both USB-PD and wireless tabs on the area as well. charging as the future of power. Belkin’s strategy for USB-PD revolves around utilizing This all ties back to what matters for Belkin: the USB-C port to its fullest extent; they offering devices and peripherals that are USB-C DEVICE won’t put a USB-C port on a charger unless reliable, affordable, and top-quality. Power WITH USB-PD that charger will deliver at least 15 watts of delivery is, more than anything else, a (like a smartphone, power so it easily serves multiple devices at means to the end of powering your favorite tablet, or Ultrabook) fast charging rates. Many of their competitors electronics. And whether your devices are implement USB-C ports but only offer charged through USB-PD, wireless charging, standard slow charging rates—something or another mechanism, Belkin’s products offer Belkin doesn’t believe in. the best experience on the market.

USB-C CHARGER Endnotes WITH USB-PD (like a wall charger, 1 Internal sales deck. car charger, or laptop) 2 http://electronicdesign.com/interconnects/qa-what-s-behind-blazingly-fast-adoption-usb-type-c 3 Apple 4 https://www.wirelesspowerconsortium.com/ 5 http://airfuel.org/ 6 https://www.powermat.com/article/powermat-s-mobile-engagement-platform-designed-to-drive-repeat-business USB-C TO USB-C CABLE 7 http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/departments/wireless_charging/ WITH USB-PD 8 (all certified C-C cables http://www.bmw.com/com/en/newvehicles/7series/sedan/2015/showroom/innovative_functionality.html are PD-capable) 9 https://consumerist.com/2016/03/30/amazon-bans-the-sale-of-substandard-usb-c-cables/ 10 Belkin http://www.belkin.com/us/Resource-Center/USB-C/USB-C-quality/ 11 http://www.usb.org/developers/compliance/

This all ties back to what matters for Belkin: offering devices and peripherals that are © 2016 Belkin International, Inc. All rights reserved. All trade names are registered trademarks of reliable, affordable, respective manufacturers listed. “PMA Certified” and the PMA Certified logo are certification marks of the Power Matters Alliance, Inc. (PMA). The “Qi” symbol is a trademark of the Wireless Power 5 and top-quality. Consortium. USB-C is a trademark of USB Implementers Forum. MR60231