USB Power Delivery (USB-PD): An open standard supported by Apple, Samsung, Google, and most Android makers; negotiates voltage/current between charger and device.
Fast-charging standards work by having the charger and device communicate over the data lines before power flows at full rate — the charger asks what voltage/current the device wants, and the device asks what the charger can supply. Only when both agree does higher-wattage charging begin, which is why a cable without proper data lines can silently cap charging speed.
Compatibility check
Look for explicit USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) branding on both the charger and cable packaging — generic ‘fast charging’ claims without naming a standard often mean a proprietary, narrower compatibility.