Why Qi2 Wireless Charging on Pixel 10 Matters for North East India Users
The latest smartphones from Google, the Pixel 10 series, have embraced Qi2 wireless charging technology. However, our tests have revealed a convoluted, slow, and disappointing story that might affect users in North East India and the broader Indian market.
Lesson 1: Opt for Certified Qi2 Chargers
When it comes to wireless charging your Pixel 10 phone, it is crucial to look for a certified Qi2 charger. A Qi2 25W charger will work with all four phones in the series, but for a small boost in charging speed, you can get a Qi2 25W (also known as Qi2.2), but only for your Pixel 10 Pro XL.
Be aware that a 15W Qi charger will not deliver the same power to your Pixel 10 as a Qi2 15W charger. Pixel 10 phones prioritize the Magnetic Power Profile (MPP) handshake of Qi2 when placed on a wireless charger, and when they don't find it on older Qi chargers, they fall back to a much lower Basic Power Profile (BPP) at 5W.
Lesson 2: Don't Expect Speed with Qi2
Even with a Qi2 25W charger, the Pixel 10 Pro XL charges very slowly, taking nearly double the time compared to charging over USB-C. The high charging rate of 25W is sustained for only a few minutes, then it drops to around 10W. This prolongs the charging time significantly.
Lesson 3: Be Aware of the Heat Issue
During our tests, we noticed that both charging methods (Qi2 and USB-C) start with a high charging rate. However, the Pixel 10 Pro XL's temperature remains high for nearly the full duration of the charge on Qi2, despite the rate dropping after a few minutes. This could potentially lead to overheating concerns.
Lesson 4: Qi2 or Qi2 25W? The Difference is Negligible
We expected Qi2 25W to be significantly faster than 15W Qi2, but in reality, the difference is negligible. Since the Pixel 10 Pro XL barely lasts a few minutes on its maximum charge rate and dwindles down to ~10W for the majority of the charge, it doesn't matter if your charger can deliver 15W, 25W, or 100W. You're still getting roughly 10W for nearly two hours.
A Word for North East India and Indian Users
If you're considering buying a Qi2 charger, it's essential to keep these lessons in mind, especially if you're a car owner with a built-in Qi pad. Qi2 charging on the Pixel 10 series may not meet your expectations, and you might face compatibility issues or slow charging times.
Looking Forward
Google needs to address these issues in the upcoming Pixel 11 series, as Qi2 wireless charging should not be as slow and inefficient as it is on the Pixel 10 series. We hope that future improvements will lead to faster charging times, better heat dissipation, and a more consistent user experience.