Charging Tech Struggles: Google Pixel Falling Behind Competitors
ICARO Media Group
**Google Pixel’s Charging Woes: A Persistent Issue Needs Addressing**
Google has consistently failed to impress with the charging capabilities of its flagship phones. The Pixel 6, for instance, offers 21W wired charging, and the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro improve slightly with 27W speeds. Over a span of three years, Google's lack of significant advancements in charging technology stands in stark contrast to competitors. Samsung, for instance, has equipped its Galaxy S25 Plus and S25 Ultra with 45W fast charging, while the standard S25 maintains an outdated but comparable 25W charging speed.
Despite the accolades and praise for Google's devices, the charging speeds continue to disappoint. While the celebrated camera prowess of the Pixel lineup remains consistent, with even potential downgrades in future models expected to still deliver excellent photography results, the need for improved charging speeds is more pressing than ever. Google's focus must shift towards faster charging solutions to maintain its competitive edge.
The success of the Pixel 9a offers a glimpse of hope, as it earned acclaim as the "battery king" due to its long-lasting battery life. This reputation helped mask the lackluster charging speeds, as users found themselves needing to charge less frequently. However, better charging speeds could have made a significant difference, potentially making the need for daily recharges less burdensome.
From personal experience, the transition from a Pixel to a OnePlus phone, with its superior 100W charging capability and enduring battery life, highlighted how far behind Google has fallen. The prospect of Google's Pixel 10 Pro XL possibly retaining a 37W or 40W charging rate while hiking the price by $100 raises concerns. It’s questionable whether the market will accept such a price increase without substantial improvements in charging technology.
Conversely, if Google manages to introduce fast charging between 50W and 60W, the rumored price increase might be justifiable for many customers. Such advancements could rejuvenate interest and maintain Google's position as a top contender in the smartphone market. As it stands, the Pixel 10 will need more than just outstanding cameras to stay competitive; faster charging speeds are now a necessity.