USB Power Delivery (PD) is a charging protocol that operates over USB-C connections. It automatically negotiates the correct voltage and current between the charger and device, enabling power levels from 5W up to 240W depending on the power supply specification.
Unlike older USB charging standards that were limited to roughly 5W, USB PD allows a single charger to safely power everything from smartphones to laptops. Your device and charger communicate to agree on power delivery that suits both: a phone might request 18W whilst a laptop demands 100W from the same USB-C power supply.
Why this matters: USB-C PD has reduced cable clutter. Instead of carrying different chargers for your phone, tablet and laptop, one high-wattage USB PD charger works across multiple devices. It also means slower charging times for some devices, since they share power negotiation overhead.
Common confusion: Not all USB-C chargers support PD. A basic USB-C charger might only deliver 5W. Check the power rating (measured in watts or W) on the charger itself. A 65W USB-C PD charger, for example, will charge most laptops and phones at their maximum safe speed.
Real-world gotchas: Charging speed depends on both the charger and the cable. Cheap USB-C cables sometimes fail to negotiate power delivery properly, leaving devices charged at slow speeds. Buy certified cables if you own high-wattage devices. Also, if you charge multiple devices simultaneously from one USB-C PD charger with multiple ports, power splits between them, so each gets slower charging.