Pixelsnap is here, Google’s answer to Magsafe — available on all Pixel 10 devices

As an Android user, one thing I’ve always been jealous of among iPhone users is MagSafe but no more.  Google’s answer to MagSafe is here, Pixelsnap.

The Wireless Power Consortium launched Qi2 in 2023, introducing a magnetic alignment technology, similar to MagSafe, to improve charging efficiency by encouraging proper alignment.  The new Qi2 standard supports faster wireless charging of up to 25W.  Unfortunately, only the Pixel 10 Pro XL supports 25W charging, with the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro Fold all maxing out at 15W.

Until now, we have yet to see this new charging technology arrive in a major Android device.  HMD introduced the HMD Skyline with Qi2 support, but if you have never heard of that phone, I would not be surprised — hence Google’s statement of it being the first ‘major’ Android device.

Now, the Google Pixel 10 devices are here, and with them comes Qi2 built-in – for the first time in a major Android device.  Google is introducing Pixelsnap, both a Qi 2 compatible charger, and a little confusingly, also the name of their new line of Accessories.

With the Qi2 technology built in (just as MagSafe is built into modern iPhones), any of these accessories can be snapped onto a Pixel 10 smartphone.  With the cross-compatibility of these devices and technologies, any MagSafe product can also be snapped onto the back of your Pixel 10 phone.

The Pixelsnap accessories signal Google’s commitment to providing a wide range of accessories for their devices, with Pixelsnap bringing their “best lineup of accessories ever.” Along with that, thousands of magnetic accessories can be used, including choices from Made for Google partners such as car mounts and chargers, grips and wallets. 

Among the official Google accessories arriving are:

• Pixelsnap Charger with Stand – dock your phone in portrait or landscape mode to continue using your phone while charging.  The charger portion of this accessory can also be detached for on-the-go use.

• Pixelsnap Charger – as above, but without the stand, allowing for flexibility to charge wherever and however you want.

• Pixelsnap Ring Stand – snapping onto the back, the Ring Stand allows you to stand the phone up wherever you are to view movies, consume media and more, in either portrait or landscape mode.

• Pixelsnap cases – all official Google cases for the Pixel 10 smartphones are Pixelsnap compatible.

It remains to be seen if other phone manufacturers will call their Qi2 solutions something else, but if all solutions are truly Qi2 compliant, then all accessories should be cross-compatible.

The Pixelsnap Charger starts at $69, the Pixelsnap Charger with Stand starts at $119, and the Pixelsnap Ring Stand starts at $49. Pixelsnap cases start at $79.