Even though there are many breakthroughs is battery technology, these tech may not be present in large-scale products like smartphone battery. So many manufactures have adopted advanced charging technologies, for example the Oppo uses VOOC technology, while Asus has their own fast charging technology. To simplify and diversify such technology Qualcomm, a smartphone processor and modem manufacturer introduced Quick Charge tech for phone which come with their processors called Snapdragon.
Quick Charge 1.0 was introduced proving 40% faster charging than conventional technology. Quick Charge 2.0 introduced even faster charging to 75%. The second version had variable voltage feature which increased the voltage from conventional 5V to 9V according to device temperature and capability. Thus, only chargers which came certified with Quick Charge 2.0 offered faster charging. Qualcomm recently announced Quick Charge 3.0 which features an Intelligent Negotiation for Optimum Voltage (INOV) for faster charging.
The new INOV technology essentially means that the voltage can be varied in a more granular manner, exactly 200 mV increment from 3.6V upto 20V. Thus providing more control for charging according to different scenario. If the device is in use then the the input voltage should be varied so that the device doesn't heat up too much and at the same time has enough voltage to actually charge the device. Thus the device can charge at a fast rate, if the device is kept only for charging. Quick Charge 3.0 is supported only in smartphones with recently announced processors Snapdragon 820,617 or 430. Also future processors from Snapdragon family are also expected to support this technology.
So to sum up, the key components needed for Quick Charge to work is a Quick Charge certified Smartphone and charger. Currently, Quick Charge 3.0 devices or chargers are not available, but expect them to be available in the first quarter of 2016. Quick Charge 3.0 devices are also backward compatible with quick charge 2.0 and 1.0. The new version also independent of the connector used, so manufactures can use any connector like USB Type-B, USB Type-C or micro-USB even proprietry connectors. If you don't have a charger or phone with Quick Charge tech, don't worry, odds are your next smartphone will feature this tech.
For more info : Qualcomm (1) , Qualcomm (2)
