The new Pixel 10 series brings something we’ve been dying to see on big-name Android devices – Qi2 compatibility. That means there’s a high chance your MagSafe accessories will work with Google’s new Pixel 10 phones, even if they’re not technically Qi2-compatible.
MagSafe was originally designed by Apple as a new way to allow accessory attachment without physical hardware connections. That meant, first and foremost, wireless chargers could be attached to your iPhone and a compatible case to keep a powered device without a Lightning cable.
Several long years later, Google has finally adopted Qi2 in full. Many of the Android phones launched in the last year or so are Qi2-ready, but that’s a cop-out that allows the companies to brand their devices with a fancy new term without actual built-in magnets.
As far as consumers are concerned, the Qi2 standard implies the inclusion of magnetic hardware.
That new standard is built into every Pixel 10 device, including the Pixel 10 base model and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. That means magnetic accessories are now compatible with a case acting as a middleman. It also means Google dictates where the magnetic connection is positioned, not the case manufacturer. On the Pixel 10 series, the Qi2 array under the rear Gorilla Glass Victus 2 panel is positioned in a prime spot for accessories, as far as we could test.
During our hands-on time with Google’s new phones prior to launch, we tested to make sure one of the biggest positioning flaws of “MagSafe-compatible” cases was addressed. On the Pixel 10, the ring is positioned right around the “G” logo on the back, and the Peak Design wallet we tested it with fits perfectly.
Of course, with thousands of MagSafe-compatible accessories out there, there is going to be variation in size, and there is a chance your magnetic wallet overlaps with the camera bar on the back of the Pixel 10. As far as charging pucks and car mounts go, you probably won’t run into issues.
The main takeaway is that with Qi2, the Pixel 10 series as a whole allows users to use their existing “MagSafe” accessories without a case, even if the branding is different. Both magnet arrays are similar in size, and they have a positioning magnet to align the wallet, charging puck, or whatever accessory you can find.
One thing to note is that now, buying a case for your Pixel 10 might be a little more challenging. You’ll want to find a Qi2-compatible case to know the magnetic array in the case lines up with the Pixel 10 itself; otherwise, you’ll run into charging issues.
This is a massive deal for the Pixel 10 series, and it’s even more exciting that the feature is essentially backwards-compatible.
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