Google has solely gone and carried out it. Following loads of hypothesis, the corporate has confirmed that its new Pixel 10 sequence would be the first main Android handsets with Qi2 wi-fi charging in-built.
Till now, the one telephone with the expertise 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 through a case.
After all, that is nothing new for iPhone customers, who’ve been capable of get pleasure from the advantages of Qi2-powered MagSafe on their telephones for 5 years. Google’s Pixelsnap isn’t an actual duplicate of Apple’s system, however the two have so much in frequent.
Basically, it consists of a hoop of inbuilt magnets that enables wi-fi chargers and different equipment to seamlessly snap into place (therefore the title). Reasonably than looking for precisely the best place for wi-fi charging, magnets will do the be just right for you.
It may not sound like a lot, nevertheless it might have wide-ranging implications for Android telephones and the smartphone business on the whole. Right here’s what I’m anticipating to vary because of Pixelsnap’s introduction.
Heaps extra Android telephones will get built-in Qi2
The launch of Pixelsnap is more likely to flip up the warmth on different Android telephone makers – particularly these with upcoming flagship handsets.
Google may not have an enormous smartphone market share, nevertheless it is a really influential firm. It additionally makes the underlying Android software program that each one these different firms use, after all.
So, it’d be a bit bizarre if Samsung launched the Galaxy S26 sequence with out built-in Qi2 help, though we wouldn’t count on it on the ultra-slim Galaxy S26 Edge.
And after the OnePlus 13 had Qi2 help through a case, why wouldn’t the upcoming OnePlus 15 get the complete model? The likes of Xiaomi, Oppo and Honor will all be underneath strain 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 intensive third-party accent market has constructed up round it.
However keep in mind, most smartphone customers world wide don’t have an iPhone. In response to StatCounter, Android telephones had a 72% international market share as of July 2025.
Whereas Pixel 10 telephones technically help MagSafe, charging speeds will usually be a lot slower than marketed – 15W as a substitute of 25W with the newest charger. With that in thoughts, I’d count on loads of firms to begin making devoted Pixelsnap equipment.
And, if different massive telephone firms (particularly Samsung) observe go well with over the following few months, the Qi2 accent market might actually take off. Competitors within the telephone accent market is fierce, so I’m hoping we’ll see a number of uncommon equipment that don’t break the financial institution.
The lineup is more likely to embody extra instances that add performance to telephones with out Qi2, corresponding to Mous has for the Pixel 9 Professional XL.
…making it far more complicated for shoppers
The inflow of recent equipment might rapidly result in saturation within the Qi2 accent market. It additionally makes the choice on which accent to purchase far more troublesome.
After all, the most secure wager shall be to purchase an official accent from the corporate that made your telephone. Certainly, Google has already launched a number of alongside the Pixel 10 sequence.
However when you’re searching for daring colors or out-there, modern designs, you would possibly discover one thing you favor from a devoted accent maker. The catch right here is that these may not all the time be appropriate together with your telephone or hit most charging speeds, so that you’ll have to be cautious.
MagSafe, Pixelsnap and Qi2 all broadly seek advice from the identical factor, however there are key variations. It’s essential to pay attention to these before you purchase an adjunct and remorse it.
The long run might be portless (however not for some time)
I don’t count on telephone 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 quicker than the 25W provided by Pixelsnap, and the hole is even wider on another handsets.
Nonetheless, Qi2 help makes wi-fi charging a practical long-term various for the primary time. 25W isn’t quick, nevertheless it’ll nonetheless absolutely cost most telephones in lower than two hours.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Presumably, the expertise 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 practical 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’ll be able to see, Qi2 coming to the Pixel 10 is about excess of a hoop of magnets on the again of the telephones. It’s a big second that might speed up our progress in the 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.
