Big news for Android users craving MagSafe-style charging convenience. Google’s upcoming Pixel 10 series may natively support magnetic Qi2 wireless charging. The information came from a leaked image shared by reliable tipster Evan Blass (@evleaks). Qi2 isn’t exactly new. But a phone with built-in magnets that actually make the standard useful is the real cause for excitement.
Pixel 10 is Qi2-Ready with magnets to match
Evan Blass’ leaked photo on X shows what looks like the Pixel 10 base model in a bright blue color. A wireless charging puck is magnetically attached to its back. Interestingly, there is no case in sight that heavily suggests that Google has embedded magnets directly inside the phone, just like Apple did with MagSafe.
It now aligns with a previous rumor that a new “PixelSnap” accessory ecosystem is being built. Google now has the chance to offer something that will properly rival Apple and Samsung. Apple has MagSafe, but Android hasn’t had a true equivalent.
Samsung’s recent flagships require special cases to enable the magnetic experience, which makes the experience feel incomplete. Although their latest Galaxy S25 series, Z Fold 7, and Z Flip 7 phones are Qi2-Ready, you need special cases to unlock the full magnetic experience. Hence, it's incomplete.
Google's move matters for sales because Pixels now have a tangible, consumer-facing feature that’s easy to demonstrate in stores and marketing. You can pick up the phone when you enter a store, snap on a charger, a wallet, or a stand, and immediately see the appeal and functionality before you empty your wallet.
Related: Pixel 10 Renders and All Colorways
Qi2 wireless charging standard explained
Qi2, pronounced ‘chee two’ is the most recent global standard for magnetic wireless charging, co-developed with Apple. During its creation, the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) based its magnetic alignment system on Apple’s existing MagSafe design.
Apple contributed the magnetic technology used in iPhones, which became the foundation for the standard’s Magnetic Power Profile. That’s why many phones have similar snap-on charging capabilities. It now supports up to 25W speeds and simplifies fast wireless charging across devices. So far, the only Android phone with full Qi2 is the HMD Skyline, released in July last year.
The reason is largely a matter of timing and strategic trade-offs, since Qi2 was finalized recently. By the time certification was ready, most major brands like Samsung had already finalized the hardware designs for their upcoming flagships.
There's also the fact that it affects the internal layout of many phones in terms of weight, thickness, and thermal dynamics. It may be partly why the Pixel 10 weighs 204g, up by 6g from the Pixel 9's 198g. For now, Pixels are the scapegoats, and we'll just have to wait and see if it was worth it.
Made by Google event is counting down to days
Expect official confirmation of Pixel 10's features in the coming days, and probably a flood of magnetic accessory recommendations when it launches. The lineup will be released on August 20 this year, so that it won't be a long wait. The Made by Google event will happen in New York, and you can watch the whole thing via livestream. It begins at 1:00 PM Eastern Time.
