The lack of built-in, MagSafe-style magnetic accessory support has been a major bugbear for Android users in recent years, but Google has finally debuted a Pixel-exclusive alternative to Apple’s popular iPhone technology.
Pixelsnap is an ecosystem of magnetic Qi2.2 accessories for the entire Google Pixel 10 line. Much like MagSafe, it lets you attach wireless chargers, stands, grips, and other accessories to the back of any Pixel 10 phone, with their built-in magnetic rings facilitating charging up to 25W (the Pixel 10, 10 Pro, and 10 Pro Fold are capped at 15W, while the 10 Pro XL gets a higher 25W ceiling).
Google revealed a suite of first-party Pixelsnap accessories at its latest Made by Google showcase; the first batch includes a magnetic charger, a magnetic stand, and a magnetic ring tool. But, crucially, Pixelsnap is also compatible with existing MagSafe accessories from Apple and third-party brands like Belkin, which is a bigger deal than it sounds.
Apple hasn’t been gatekeeping its MagSafe technology; it actually helped develop the Qi2 wireless charging standard in 2023, which uses magnetic alignment to facilitate faster charging on mobile devices.
Until now, though, the HMD Skyline was the only Android phone to come with built-in magnets to fully support the Qi2 standard.
Recent top-end Android phones like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and OnePlus 13 are technically Qi2-ready, but they don’t have built-in magnets – you have to purchase a compatible case (or adhesive ring) with a magnetic mounting system to make use of their Qi2 capabilities.
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The Google Pixel 10 and its siblings, then, are the first mainstream Android phones to ship with a true MagSafe-style alignment system – and for now, that gives them a rare hardware edge over the best Android phones from the likes of Samsung, OnePlus, and Motorola.
Other upgrades for the Google Pixel 10 line include new AI-powered camera features, a dedicated telephoto camera for the base model, and an IP68 rating for the Pixel 10 Pro Fold; but, for the reasons outlined above, Pixelsnap could be the most important upgrade of all.
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