As the highly anticipated Pixel 10 devices make their way to customers' doorsteps this week, early adopters are starting to unveil some issues related to wireless charging. Some Pixel 10 owners are experiencing compatibility problems with certain wireless chargers, raising concerns about the reliability of their charging setups.
Wireless charging, while convenient, can sometimes present challenges. Reports from Pixel 10 users on platforms like Reddit, as well as tips submitted through our tip box (thanks to Henry!), indicate that some wireless chargers are not functioning as intended with the new Pixel 10 series. The problems appear to vary, but a common complaint is that the Pixel 10, including the Pro and XL models, initiates charging but stops after a few seconds or minutes. While we haven't replicated this issue in our testing, the volume of complaints suggests it is a real concern for many.
Another issue that has surfaced pertains to charging speeds. Some users report that their wireless chargers are only delivering a mere 5W of power, which is significantly lower than expected. This has been observed with a MagSafe charger, among others, including the Pixel Stand 2nd Gen and various older Qi chargers. The inconsistency of charging speeds seems to correlate with the use of older charging technology, though the underlying reasons remain somewhat unclear.
From preliminary investigations, it appears that this could be linked to the recent Qi2 update. The transition from the Extended Power Profile (EPP) to the new Magnetic Power Profile (MPP) may be a contributing factor. Both profiles support charging speeds of up to 15W, but the MPP requires magnetic alignment to work effectively. Users have expressed worries that these two profiles may not be interchangeable, leading to the slower charging issues currently being observed.
While slower charging can be beneficial for battery health in the long run, it can also be frustrating for users who are unprepared for the change. Specifically, with the Pixel Stand, the likely cause of the slower charging speeds is that Google's proprietary fast charging method has been updated to fit within the Qi2 standard. As a result, support for the previous Pixel Stand charging method may no longer be functioning as intended.
According to the WPC database, there is currently no indication of a charging limit for non-Qi2 chargers when it comes to the Pixel 10 series. However, users should be cautious about potential intermittent charging issues with older wireless chargers. For optimal performance, it is advisable to invest in a charger that is Qi2 certified.
To ensure that you are getting the best wireless charging experience with your Pixel 10, consider these recommended chargers that have been confirmed to have full MPP certification in the WPC database:
ESR Qi2 Magnetic Wireless Charger Baseus Picogo Qi2 Power Bank Ugreen 25W MagFlow Qi2.2 Charger Anker MagGo 15W Qi2 Charging Stand Belkin Qi2.2 25W Foldable Charging StandWe encourage users to share their experiences with Qi2 charging issues in the comments below. Your feedback is invaluable in understanding the performance of the Pixel 10 series.
Stay tuned for more updates on the Pixel 10 series, including features like the new Qi2 magnets designed to secure MagSafe accessories in place, comparisons between the Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro, and insights into the performance of the Tensor G5 chip, which is noted to run cooler but has received mixed reviews in benchmark tests.
