Next-gen semiconductor fast-charges flagship folding-screen smartphone

Navitas Semiconductor's next-generation GaNFast power ICs with GaNSense technology has been chosen to power vivo's newly released, first folding-screen flagship 'X Fold' in-box 80W flash charger.

The vivo X Fold adopts a high-capacity 4,600mAhr dual-battery solution charging 0-50% in a lightning-fast 17 minutes and fully charged to 100% in only 37 minutes. It offers multiple technological innovations, with Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+, 120Hz refresh rate, 3D ultrasonic dual-screen fingerprint access and the world's first 300,000-fold TUV reliability certification.

As the first in-box GaN charger for a foldable phone, the dual-output 80W USB-C charger supports vivo's proprietary fast-charge protocol and industry-standard USB-PD, with simultaneous fast-charging of two devices. The new 80W, folding-pin, in-box charger measures just 60mm x 41mm x 31mm (76cc), fulfilling a power density of over 1W/cc and a super-lightweight 125g. The full 80W power rating is shared over the two output ports to permit flexible, simultaneous charging of phones, tablets, audio and ultra-book laptops.

Compared with conventional silicon chargers, GaN chargers can accomplish 3x the power or 3x faster charging with up to 40% energy savings in just half the size and weight of legacy silicon solutions. Navitas' next-generation GaNSense technology incorporates real-time, accurate and fast sensing of system parameters, including current and temperature, and gains patent-pending, loss-less current-sensing to deliver an extra 10% energy savings. It enables a 'detect-to-protect' time of only 30ns - 6x faster than discrete GaN power chips for increased system reliability.

For the X Fold's 80W fast charger, the NV6136A GaNFast power IC with GaNSense technology is employed in a high-frequency, quasi-resonant topology for optimal system price and performance.

"We are excited to use Navitas' GaNFast power IC in our 80W GaN charger to power our vivo X Fold," said vivo's Product Line general manager Hong Yi on the product launch. "vivo is dedicated to achieve the best consumer experience on the market, including continuous breakthroughs in the charging-speed, size, and weight of the charger. Using Navitas GaN technology, this charger will bring consumers a breakthrough dual-port, faster and lighter charging experience. This charger can 'do it all'."

"Navitas is honoured that vivo's first foldable phone has an in-box GaNFast charger," said Gene Sheridan, Navitas' CEO and co-founder. "We sincerely congratulate vivo for their remarkable success in launching this excellent foldable phone. Our mission is to 'Electrify Our World', and as every GaN IC shipped saves 4kg of CO2, together we will achieve a faster, lighter, more efficient and more environmentally-friendly charging future."