Google Pixel 10, 10 Pro, and 10 Pro Fold are on a surprisingly old Qi2 version
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Google Pixel 10, 10 Pro, and 10 Pro Fold are on a surprisingly old Qi2 version
Google’s new Pixel 10 series is the first major adoption of Qi2 with the magnets it was always intended to have. Google has been working with the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) on Qi 2.2, which ended up launching with the major upgrade of 25W charging speeds. However, only the Pixel 10 Pro XL actually supports Qi 2 2.0. The rest of the series – Pixel 10, 10 Pro, and Pixel 10pro Fold – instead use Qi 22.1, a standard version from 2023. Google, speaking to Android Central, mentioned that heat was the main reason for the lack of 25w charging in these smaller devices.
The initial Qi 2.0.0 release was mostly ignored by Android smartphones, only being adopted by the HMD Skyline and iPhones of the time. The first major Android phones to adopt any of the newer Qi standard updates beyond v1.3.3 were in Samsung’s Galaxy S25 series, which support Qi 2.1.0. Those devices lack magnets, but comply to the “Qi2 Ready” extension that was introduced in Qi 2.1.0.
Google’s new Pixel 10 series is the first major adoption of Qi2 with the magnets it was always intended to have. And, behind the scenes, Google has been working with the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) on Qi 2.2, which ended up launching with the major upgrade of 25W charging speeds.
However, only the Pixel 10 Pro XL actually supports Qi 2.2.0. The rest of the series – Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold – instead use Qi 2.0.1, a standard version from 2023.
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For the end user, this doesn’t particularly matter. These devices still work on all of the same chargers and still support 15W charging speeds, but it’s a weird discrepancy to see this older version being used. The reason why is unclear, too, as Qi 2.2 could still be (presumably) be used since its upgraded charging speeds are optional based on the WPC’s language.
Qi2 versions break down as follows:
Qi 2.0: Intro of Magnetic Power Profile, requires full backwards compatibility
Intro of Magnetic Power Profile, requires full backwards compatibility Qi 2.1: Added support for magnetic accessory covers, requirement to test for obstructions on the device
Added support for magnetic accessory covers, requirement to test for obstructions on the device Qi 2.2: Support for up to 25W charging, optimization to power controls
Since the Pixel 10, 10 Pro, and Fold lack 25W charging, there’s really no reason they have to run Qi 2.2, nor any real advantage either. Google, speaking to Android Central, mentioned that heat was the main reason for the lack of 25W charging in these smaller devices. And, for reference, Qi 2.0.1 is the same version on Apple’s latest iPhones.
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