The Google Pixel 10’s new Pixelsnap drags down charging speed while overheating your phone — here’s why I miss the old Pixel Stand.
I don’t usually develop a near instant dislike of new technology, but I’ve quickly come to loathe the new Pixelsnap accessory for the Pixel 10 series. While MagSafe certainly has its merits, Google’s little charging puck is not going to convince me that this is what the future of wireless charging looks like. Especially not when I have the highly regarded Pixel Stand 2nd Gen on my desk (which I’ll refer to as the Pixel Stand from here on out) against which to compare it.
My first and most obvious complaint is: why bother? Yes, the magnets make for a satisfying snap on the back of my Pixel 10, but a dangling puck/cable is no more convenient than a USB-C cable. Plus, I can’t use the Pixelsnap to charge my headphones, tablet, or any other gadget I have lying around. Now, Google is happy to sell you the Pixelsnap Stand to make it into a more traditional dock. Still, at $70 for the complete setup (don’t forget you need to bring your own wall adapter), it’s a massively overpriced piece of plastic that should really have been included in the Pixelsnap’s box for free. The charging puck alone costs $40.
But really, the worst thing about the Pixelsnap, which also gives me pause for thought about MagSafe charging in general, is that it’s really slow and really hot. Already laborious charge times for the Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro XL go from 85 and 77 minutes to 149 and 135 minutes, respectively. That’s verging on two and a half hours, because Google has to throttle back charging power to stop the phones from melting.
Worse, peak temperatures for wireless charging hit 40.3°C compared to 38.7°C for wired, with average temperatures at 37.3°C compared to 33.7°C. If you want to look after your phone’s battery health, I’d avoid the Pixelsnap and opt for a more traditional charging setup.
Google seemingly understood this when it designed the Pixel Stand (2nd Gen). The admittedly bulky design houses a fan specifically to keep your handset cool while charging.
