Despite the growing popularity of various fast charging technologies, Google recently announced that the company does not want these type of proprietary technologies to be a standard feature of Android smartphones.
Google made its intention known in the latest Android Compatibility Definition for the Android 7.0 Nougat operating system. Google clearly states that the company "strongly recommended" third-party hardware manufacturers to stay away from proprietary fast charging technologies, especially those that modify voltages beyond the standard and recommended level.
Google added that fast charging technologies that might create "interoperability issues" with standard USB charging are also something to look out for. This means that fast charging technologies like Quick Charge 3.0, which is a standard feature on most smartphones that use Qualcomm chipsets, are considered rogue by Google, according to Engadget.
In a statement, Google clearly states, "While this is called out as 'STRONGLY RECOMMENDED", in future Android versions we might REQUIRE all type-C devices to support full interoperability with standard Type-C chargers."
Google said that the company is planning to design future Android versions in such a way that it will require full interoperability with standard chargers. If this happens, chargers or charging technologies that do not pass Google's standards will not work with future Android versions.
Some tech analysts have noted that Google is not banning fast charging completely on its Android platform. It is important to state that Google's latest flagship smartphones, the Pixel, have a pretty fast recharge capability.Google might be trying to imply that it is not agreeing with the concept of third-party hardware manufacturers trying to create a market for alternative charging standard, one that does not solely rely on the Android platform.
Although the recent Samsung problem regarding the exploding battery packs of Galaxy Note 7 devices has nothing to do with fast charging technology, Google is tightening its protocols to make sure that consumer safety comes first.