(Credit: Eric Zeman)
Five years after Apple introduced MagSafe for the iPhone 12, Google is adding its own magnetic wireless charging solution to the Pixel 10 series, which also works with MagSafe accessories.
Google employs the Qi2 wireless charging standard for the Pixel 10 and 10 Pro, which charge at up to 15W. The Pixel 10 Pro XL is Qi2.2 certified and charges at up to 25W wirelessly. Since the Pixelsnap chargers use Qi 2, they can also charge non-Pixelsnap devices.
Google unveiled several Pixelsnap-compatible accessories, of course. The standard Pixelsnap Charger ($39.99) is a cable with a puck-shaped pad that attaches to the Pixel 10 or the new Pixelsnap cases (start at $49.99). The Pixelsnap Charger with Stand ($69.99) is exactly what it sounds like. It has two parts: a regular Pixelsnap Charger and a stand that houses the puck. The magnets are meant to be strong enough to grip even the heaviest Pixel, the 9.10-ounce Pixel 10 Pro Fold, even when open.
The Pixelsnap Ring Stand ($29.99) is not a charging solution. Instead, it is a magnetic circular accessory that acts like a stand when a ring around the puck is folded down. All of the accessories feel well-built and feature inoffensive, bordering on bland, designs. These are not meant to be the star; that's what your Pixel is for.
When I tried out a Pixel 10 with a Pixelsnap Charger with Stand, the phone started sliding down the stand because the two magnetic sections were not lined up. I repositioned the phone until it made a secure connection, which took just a few seconds. With the Pixelsnap Charger only, the magnetic pad is essentially self-guided. The attraction is strong enough to hold the device up by the cable.
The Charger with Stand supports both portrait and landscape orientation, so you can set your device to act as a digital picture frame or a Google Home controller. I found this idea fascinating, as Google's smart screen products' functionality is more limited than that of a full-fledged phone. However, I think the Pixelsnap Charger with Stand's pricing may be a little high for what it is: a $30 charger with a $30 plastic stand. Considering Pixelsnap is compatible with MagSafe, that should open up the options.
In the meantime, check out our impressions of the Google Pixel 10 family, the Pixel Watch 4, and Pixel Buds 2a.