Xiaomi Shows Off 300W Fast Charging Tech With Modified Redmi Note 12 Pro+
Charging technology seems to be one of the most rapidly improving areas in consumer tech nowadays, and keeping in theme with MWC 2023, Xiaomi has taken the next leap to be the first to unveil a 300W charging prototype in a Weibo post.
The video shows a Redmi Note 12 Pro phone hooked up to a voltmeter as it starts charging from 2%. In just over two minutes, it was charged up to 50% and the phone indicated a full charge in just under five minutes. During the video, the voltmeter shows the charging wattage go all the way up to a high of 290.6W, although charge speeds of around 280W were sustained for around two minutes before dropping as the phone charged to full capacity. There are a few footnotes to this test, however.
Xiaomi did note that this was a modified phone with a 4,100mAh as opposed to the usual 5,000mAh battery inside the Note 12 Pro+, and that the 300W charger is the same size as its current 210W charger thanks to new 15C battery cells, a new internal design and more.
Of course, the point remains that it might take a long while to actually see phones supporting 300W charging. Furthermore, because of the fast charging and heat caused by it, the battery lifespan might be affected if the thermal management system isn't able to handle it. Regardless, it's an exciting development and if brands can eventually get charging speeds up, it will certainly be a great thing for people who need to charge their phones in short bursts over the course of a day.
Xiaomi has shown off its new 300W charging prototype during MWC 2023, allowing for a 4,100mAh phone to be fully charged within five minutes.
While the phone was a modified Redmi Note 12 Pro+, this bodes well for the continuing development of fast-charging tech.
That said, this is still a prototype that might take a long time to come to market, or never at all. Problems like increased heat and affected battery lifespan will have to be solved before we see this released in an actual consumer product.