Google has solely gone and accomplished it. Following loads of hypothesis, the corporate has confirmed that its new Pixel 10 collection would be the first main Android handsets with Qi2 wi-fi charging in-built.
Till now, the one cellphone with the know-how was the HMD Skyline, a mid-range system that was by no means more likely to get a lot consideration. Different smartphones, such because the OnePlus 13, have supported Qi2, however solely by way of a case.
After all, that is nothing new for iPhone customers, who’ve been in a position to get pleasure from the advantages of Qi2-powered MagSafe on their telephones for 5 years. Google’s Pixelsnap isn’t a precise duplicate of Apple’s system, however the two have so much in frequent.
Basically, it consists of a hoop of inbuilt magnets that permits wi-fi chargers and different equipment to seamlessly snap into place (therefore the title). Relatively than looking for precisely the appropriate place for wi-fi charging, magnets will do the be just right for you.
It may not sound like a lot, but it surely might have wide-ranging implications for Android telephones and the smartphone trade on the whole. Right here’s what I’m anticipating to alter because of Pixelsnap’s introduction.
Tons extra Android telephones will get built-in Qi2
The launch of Pixelsnap is more likely to flip up the warmth on different Android cellphone makers – particularly these with upcoming flagship handsets.
Google may not have an enormous smartphone market share, but it surely is a really influential firm. It additionally makes the underlying Android software program that every one these different corporations use, in fact.
So, it’d be a bit bizarre if Samsung launched the Galaxy S26 collection with out built-in Qi2 assist, though we wouldn’t anticipate it on the ultra-slim Galaxy S26 Edge.
And after the OnePlus 13 had Qi2 assist by way of a case, why wouldn’t the upcoming OnePlus 15 get the total model? The likes of Xiaomi, Oppo and Honor will all be below stress to observe go well with.
Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd
The third-party Qi2 market will explode (not actually)…
Since MagSafe launched on the iPhone in 2020, an in depth third-party accent market has constructed up round it.
However bear in mind, most smartphone customers around the globe don’t have an iPhone. In response to StatCounter, Android telephones had a 72% world market share as of July 2025.
Whereas Pixel 10 telephones technically assist MagSafe, charging speeds will typically be a lot slower than marketed – 15W as an alternative of 25W with the most recent charger. With that in thoughts, I’d anticipate loads of corporations to start out making devoted Pixelsnap equipment.
And, if different huge cellphone corporations (particularly Samsung) observe go well with over the subsequent few months, the Qi2 accent market might actually take off. Competitors within the cellphone accent market is fierce, so I’m hoping we’ll see numerous uncommon equipment that don’t break the financial institution.
The lineup is more likely to embrace extra instances that add performance to telephones with out Qi2, reminiscent of Mous has for the Pixel 9 Professional XL.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
…making it rather more complicated for customers
The inflow of latest equipment might rapidly result in saturation within the Qi2 accent market. It additionally makes the choice on which accent to purchase rather more troublesome.
After all, the most secure guess can be to purchase an official accent from the corporate that made your cellphone. Certainly, Google has already launched a number of alongside the Pixel 10 collection.
However for those who’re searching for daring colors or out-there, progressive designs, you would possibly discover one thing you favor from a devoted accent maker. The catch right here is that these may not at all times be suitable together with your cellphone or hit most charging speeds, so that you’ll should be cautious.
MagSafe, Pixelsnap and Qi2 all broadly check with the identical factor, however there are key variations. It’s necessary to concentrate on these before you purchase an adjunct and remorse it.
The long run might be portless (however not for some time)
I don’t anticipate cellphone makers to ditch the USB-C port on their telephones any time quickly. Even on the Pixel 10 Professional XL, the 45W wired speeds are a lot sooner than the 25W supplied by Pixelsnap, and the hole is even wider on another handsets.
Nevertheless, Qi2 assist makes wi-fi charging a sensible long-term different for the primary time. 25W isn’t quick, but it surely’ll nonetheless absolutely cost most telephones in lower than two hours.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Presumably, the know-how will proceed to enhance, so it may not be lengthy earlier than wi-fi charging is on a par with wired throughout most handsets.
At that time, ditching the port altogether turns into a sensible proposition. And the port appears to be the principle factor that’s stopping the Galaxy S25 Edge and upcoming iPhone 17 Air from being even slimmer.
As you may see, Qi2 coming to the Pixel 10 is about way over a hoop of magnets on the again of the telephones. It’s a big second that would speed up our progress in direction of a wi-fi charging-led future, and I’m right here for it.
See extra information and opinions on the Pixel 10 telephones in our devoted 2025 Google Occasion hub.