In our latest interaction at DeviceNext, we had the privilege of speaking with Pankaj Mirchandani, Founder & CEO of UltraProlink—a visionary entrepreneur shaping India’s Power & Connectivity landscape. A part-time musician, full-time 5AM Club member, chocoholic, and fitness enthusiast, Pankaj has transformed UltraProlink into one of India’s leading gadget accessory brands, serving over 3.5 million customers through 6,500+ retail stores.
From his early days at Philips India to pioneering the mobile accessories segment, Pankaj brings a deep understanding of product development, R&D, and innovation in the charging industry. Join us as we dive into the evolution of charging technologies, consumer trends, and the future of power accessories in India!
Smartphones and other portable devices are becoming more essential in our everyday lives, and the demand for faster and more efficient charging solutions is increasing rapidly. In India, where device ownership is growing, multiple apps are draining power, devices becoming more power hungry – innovations such as fast-charging standards, wireless technologies, and eco-friendly materials are creating a seismic shift in the charging accessories industry.
- Fast Charging:
Fast-charging protocols such as Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, USB Power Delivery (PD), and proprietary solutions from companies like Oppo and Xiaomi have revolutionized the charging landscape, leading to a significant upgrade. Users no longer have the patience to wait hours for their devices to boot up. Now, mobile brands are fiercely innovating to provide chargers capable of delivering a day’s worth of battery power in just a few minutes. There are many regions in India where electricity is inconsistent, and the need for faster charging has become a priority. Brands are capitalizing on this by offering chargers with over 120W of power supply, capable of juicing up devices at record speeds.
- Wireless Charging:
The use of wireless charging is slowly becoming more popular, especially in the high-end market segments. Although the uptake has been slower compared to Western countries, tech-savvy consumers in India are gradually recognizing the convenience of going wireless. Due to the advancements in wireless charging pads and docks, as well as the availability of handsets with inbuilt wireless charging, the demand for accessories compatible with the Qi standard is steadily increasing. Furthermore, several Indian accessory manufacturers are now producing affordable wireless chargers, making this technology more widely accessible to a larger audience. Added to this Qi2 is the becoming the new universal standard allowing for a wider range of brands to adopt the technology & offer faster wireless charging.
- Standardization:
The accessory market in India is being significantly influenced by the widespread adoption of USB-C as a universal charging standard. This shift simplifies consumer purchasing decisions as more manufacturers globally embrace USB-C for both charging and data transfer. Indian companies are rapidly keeping pace by developing versatile USB-C cables suitable for smartphones and laptops.
An emerging trend in the market is the increasing focus on environmental sustainability. Brands are now exploring the use of recyclable materials, producing energy-efficient chargers, and opting for compact packaging. Given the growing global concern over e-waste, these initiatives are anticipated to resonate with the environmentally conscious Indian consumer.
- What new technologies are you integrating into your charging accessories, and how do you see them impacting the Indian market?
The market for mobile charging accessories in India is changing quickly due to the acceptance of new technologies that improve charging speed, effectiveness, and user satisfaction. As consumers increasingly seek faster and more convenient charging options, companies are bringing in advanced innovations to remain competitive. Below are some main technologies that UltraProlink incorporates into mobile charging accessories:
– Switching to GaN (Gallium Nitride)
– Upgrade to Power Delivery (PD) 3.1
– Multi Protocol Chargers – One charger, One Cable -Supporting Multiple Charging Needs
– Chargers with Dual Transformers & Dual PCBs for smart power distribution
– Ultra High Powered Charging Cables – 100W / 140W / 240W
– High Powered Chargers in Compact Designs
– Temperature Regulation and Heat Reduction
- How is consumer demand for fast and wireless charging influencing your product development?
The demand for fast charging solutions has led to a rise in the production of high-wattage chargers aimed at minimizing downtime for consumers. Multiple companies are dedicated to incorporating USB Power Delivery (PD), PPS, Qualcomm Quick Charge, and proprietary protocols like Super Flash, SuperVooC & Turbo charge to enable rapid charging of their devices, aligning with user demands for quick charging. Besides this, consumers are looking at unified charging solutions where all their devices can be charged in a single go without compromise on charging speeds.At UltraProlink, we are working closely with OEMs to develop chargers in India that can work on the latest standards. We have launched India’s first 6 port,100W Desktop charger called Boost Unity based on GaN3. This charger allows users to charge their laptop & tablet, smartphone & multiple other devices at the same time with equal power distribution & no drop in charging speeds.
On the wireless charging front,Qi1 standard never managed to satisfy the fast charging needs of the consumer and now comes Qi2 which allows upto 15W charging and a wider set of brands are able to adopt this due to the open platform provided by Apple & WPC. The adoption of magnetic alignment technologies such as Apple’s MagSafe & Qi2 aims to improve wireless charging by ensuring precise alignment and increased efficiency. This innovation plays a key role in reducing charging time and enhancing the user experience through its ability to establish a secure connection.
- What challenges have you faced with implementing advanced technologies like GaN or wireless charging?
Challenges with GaN:
1. Manufacturing Cost: Manufacturing GaN technology is costlier than producing traditional silicon-based chargers because of the advanced materials and processes involved. This increased cost may result in higher prices for GaN chargers for consumers and we see only early adopters understanding the need to pay a higher price. - 2. Heat Management: Although GaN chargers are more efficient, they can still produce heat when operating at high power levels. Creating small chargers with efficient heat management systems can be difficult, especially when striving to maintain a portable and compact design, however at UltraProlink we work closely with developers on thermal management systems to limit the heat.
3. Awareness: GaN technology is not well-known among consumers, which could hinder its widespread acceptance. It can be difficult to educate the market about the advantages of GaN chargers, such as quicker charging in a more compact size, especially in markets where price is a significant concern. The consumer still mistakes GaN for a charging protocol & questions the increment in prices.
Challenges with Wireless Charging:
1. Slow Charging Speed: The speed of wireless charging is typically slower than that of wired charging, especially in comparison to fast-charging technologies such Power Delivery (PD). Although newer iterations of wireless charging are enhancing speed, numerous consumers still view wireless charging as being less efficient.
2. Low Energy Efficiency: The efficiency of wireless charging is lower compared to wired charging due to energy losses during the power transfer process. Users are concerned about the heat generated that wireless powerbanks create.
3. Compatibility: Even though Qi standards have enhanced compatibility, not all gadgets are compatible with wireless charging. Furthermore, wireless charging speeds may differ for different devices, leading to confusion and annoyance for users.
Apple’s MagSafe, among other proprietary wireless charging technologies, might not work seamlessly with devices from different brands, which can restrict the usefulness of universal wireless chargers.
- How do you ensure compatibility and safety with new charging technologies across various devices?
In UltraProlink products we ensure safety first along with compatibility. In its development stage, each new launch goes through rigorous field tests and lab tests to pass the BIS standard & get certified.
1. Following Established Standards: Adherence to established standards like USB Power Delivery (PD), Qualcomm Quick Charge, Qi for wireless charging, and PPS (Programmable Power Supply) is important for charging technologies. These standards allow chargers to safely interact with and provide the correct power to various devices.
2. Implement Smart Charging: Chargers with USB-PD or adaptive power management technologies can modify their power output according to the device’s needs to avoid overcharging, minimize heat, and deliver the right amount of power.
Chargers that can recognize devices are able to adjust charging speed, voltage, and current based on the connected device, preventing damage from excessive power delivery and ensuring compatibility across various devices, including smartphones and laptops.
3. Compatibility: The USB-C connector has become widely adopted across various devices, serving as a standard interface for both powering up devices and transferring data. It’s important to prioritize USB-C compatibility in chargers to enhance connectivity across smartphones, laptops, tablets, and other gadgets.
Where possible, new chargers should be able to work with older devices that use traditional connectors, either by employing adapters or incorporating multi-port designs. This approach ensures that consumers can still utilize their existing devices while taking advantage of new technologies.
5. Research & Development and Testing: At UltraProlink, Consistent R&D investment enables us to proactively address potential compatibility and safety concerns. Products are rigorously tested across a wide array of devices and varying conditions to guarantee safe performance in diverse scenarios.Real-world testing using a diverse range of devices, including older models, is crucial for identifying any compatibility or performance issues that may not manifest during lab testing. This method ensures that the charger remains reliable in real-world usage scenarios.
6. Multi Layer Protection: Our PCBs are designed to offer Multi-Layer Protection to ensure user & gadget safety. It helps in protecting both, the charging accessory and the connected device. Below are few Multi-Layer Protection Mechanisms:
a. Over Heat Protection
b. Short-Circuit Protection
c. Over-Voltage Protection
d. Over-Charge Protection
- What future trends do you foresee in India’s charging accessories market, and how is your brand preparing?
India is quick to receive & adopt to any new standard launched globally. New charging standards like Qualcomm Quick Charge 5,Xiaomi’s HyperCharge and Motorola’s TurboCharge are already present in our market however other than original accessories,there are no other options presently available. Indian consumers are placing greater emphasis on the ability to quickly charge their devices, particularly in urban areas with high mobile usage.
As 120W+ fast charging becomes available worldwide, India will experience a rise in high-wattage chargers designed to significantly reduce charging times, enabling users to recharge their devices within minutes. With the need for unified charging & multiple device ownership we see consumers quickly adopting to the one charger- one cable concept.
With Qi2 available as open platform we will quickly see Android users being able to use Magnet based wireless charging & a whole of lot of magnetic accessories, currently which was only the privilege of the Apple fan club.
Having said this, the onus of educating the customer of pros & cons of wireless charging lies with the brands & UltraProlink leads the way by way of our blogposts & on ground trainings provided to retailers. India’s gadget lovers are going to be spoilt for choices when it comes to offerings from UltraProlink & we look forward to pampering them continuously.
