A 23W charger is typically considered a fast charger for smartphones and is often associated with devices like the Google Pixel series (e.g., Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 7 Pro).

Here are 5 key points about a 23W charger:

1. Fast Charging Speed: 23W provides a good balance between charging speed and battery health. For phones that support it (like the Pixel Pro models), it can typically charge the battery up to about 50% in roughly 30 minutes (actual time varies by phone model, battery size, and condition).
2. Protocol Requirement (USB PD PPS): To reach the full 23W peak charging speed, the charger must usually support the USB Power Delivery (PD) standard and specifically the Programmable Power Supply (PPS) protocol. A standard USB-PD charger without PPS may result in lower charging speeds.
3. Variable Power Delivery: The charger does not maintain 23W for the entire charging cycle. The peak power (up to 23W) is usually delivered when the battery is low (e.g., below 50%). As the battery level increases, the charging speed gradually decreases to protect the battery and prevent overheating (e.g., dropping to 9W-15W above 50%).
4. Temperature Management: The power reduction (point 3) is a crucial aspect of managing heat. Fast charging generates heat, and slowing the charge rate as the battery fills up helps maintain a safe operating temperature for the phone and extends the battery’s lifespan.
5. Compatibility Considerations: While it can charge any USB-C device, you need a device that is engineered to accept $\approx$ 23W to benefit from the speed. Using this charger with a device that only supports a lower maximum (e.g., 18W or 15W) will result in the device charging at its lower maximum speed.