Back in September, I discussed Pixelsnap, Google’s brand for Qi2 wireless device charging, or what Apple calls MagSafe. Since then, I finished my reviews of the three primary Pixel 10 series phones–the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Pixel 10 Pro XL–and I’m starting on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold now that we’re back in Pennsylvania. These phones have a lot in common, of course. But Pixelsnap is inarguably among the best advances that’s common to each. Qi wireless charging has evolved over time, of course. But the two most recent advances are the most exciting. The first arrived with Qi2, which added the Magnetic Power Profile (MPP) capability that Apple created as MagSafe, spreading that most useful of features outside the Apple ecosystem. The second was Qi2. 2, which almost doubled the wireless charging speed from the 15 watts of its predecessor to 25 watts. Yes, this is still slower than typical wired charging speeds today–the Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL, for example, can charge at up to 45 watts with a compatible charger, and some Asian brands are much faster still–but the convenience is undeniable, and the shift from 15 to 25 watts is a big deal. That assumes, of course, that your device and and wireless charger are both Qi2. 2 compatible. The base Pixel 10 and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold only support 15-watt Qi2 (not 2. 2) wireless charging (and only 30 watts on USB-C), for example. And 25-watt, Qi2. 2-compatible peripherals aren’t yet as common as the more compatible 15-watt products. So you need to pay attention and buy accordingly if you want the fastest speeds. But either way, this is a big deal for those of us who aren’t firmly in the Apple camp. (It will be an even bigger deal when and if Samsung belatedly and finally embraces this standard as well, as rumors suggest may happen in 2026.) It’s certainly a big deal for me. Google’s embrace of what it calls Pixelsnap has let me likewise embrace the incredible ecosystem of compatible wireless chargers, stands, tripod/selfie-sticks, and other peripherals that has exploded since Apple introduced the technology to the iPhone. I’ve wanted to do this for a long time, but since I switch regularly between whatever the latest Pixel and iPhone is at the time, it wasn’t really possible. Now, I’m all in. This is a work in progress. In addition to the devices I wrote about and used in the previous Pixelsnap article, I’ve gotten a few new additions, two of which are made by Google and very specifically optimized for Pixel devices. And while we’re in Pennsylvania through mid-January, I will be adding a few more, including a second selfie stick/tripod like the one I keep in Mexico and love (and wrote about in What I Use: Mexico, September to November 2025). Actually, I just ordered that. But first, here’s the mini tripod/phone stand that I purchased previously this year after seeing an ad for it on Instagram. I know. This one is useful because it’s much smaller than the full-sized selfie stic.
https://www.thurrott.com/mobile/android/google-pixel/329999/pauls-pixel-10-diaries-more-pixelsnap-magic
