Fast-charging technology has made significant strides in recent years, but Realme is pushing the boundaries even further with its latest innovation. Traditionally, fast charging works by charging multiple battery cells at the same time, rather than in sequence. However, Realme's new approach stands out due to its unique design, which could set a new standard in the industry.
Realme recently demonstrated a prototype that features a battery made up of four cells stacked together in a folding design. This clever arrangement is inspired by the design of satellite panels and allows the battery to fit more capacity into a smaller space. The result is a battery with a capacity of 4,420 mAh, which is about 10% more than what conventional batteries offer. Each of these miniaturized cells is carefully layered to maximize the amount of energy that can be stored in a confined space.
The excitement around this innovation was palpable at the #realme828FanFest, where Realme promised to keep the energy high with continuous updates throughout the event. The real highlight was the anticipated reveal of Realme’s groundbreaking 320W fast-charging technology, which has been making waves in the tech community. Fans and tech enthusiasts alike were eager to see how this new technology would perform.
Fast-charging technology requires more than just a high-capacity battery; it also needs a powerful charger to match. For this, Realme introduced its new "Pocket Cannon" adapter. This tiny but mighty charger boasts an impressive power density of 3.3 watts per cubic centimeter, a significant upgrade from last year's 240W charger, which had a density of 2.34 W/cc. The Pocket Cannon is designed to work with multiple fast-charging protocols, including UFCS, PD, and SuperVOOC. It can deliver up to 150W for Realme phones and 65W for laptops through its dual USB-C ports, making it a versatile tool for charging on the go.
While charging speed demonstrations have become a trend among Chinese smartphone manufacturers, most production models don’t quite reach the sky-high wattages often showcased on stage. Typically, these demo models can handle more than 200W, but the production models usually max out at around 150W. Nevertheless, this is still an impressive speed, especially considering that many laptops charge at similar rates.
There are likely practical reasons for capping the charging speeds in real-world scenarios. Charging at extreme speeds can put a strain on the battery, reducing its lifespan and generating excessive heat. Additionally, cutting-edge charging technology often comes with a hefty price tag, which may be a deterrent for many consumers.
To address safety concerns, Realme has equipped its system with an innovative "AirGap" voltage transformer. This feature is designed to protect the phone’s battery by isolating it from high voltages during any potential circuit issues. The AirGap technology uses contact-free electromagnetic conversion to reduce the voltage to a safe 20V, which is suitable for the phone’s battery. Despite the high power, the system maintains an impressive 93% charging efficiency, which is quite remarkable.
However, while these innovations are promising, the true test will come when products featuring Realme's SuperSonic Charge technology become available to the public. Only then will we know how well this technology performs in everyday use and whether it lives up to the hype.