Introduction
In a surprise early certification, Google’s forthcoming flagship smartphone, the Pixel 8, has been officially cleared for Qi wireless charging, confirming that it will not be upgraded to the latest Qi2 wireless charging standard.
Table of Contents
Pixel 8 Earns Qi Wireless Charging Certification
In anticipation of the release of any new smartphone model, numerous regulatory procedures need to be executed. These include certifications from the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States, the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), and more. With its recent appearance on the WPC’s official website, the “Pixel 8”, under model number “GKWS6”, has successfully earned its Qi certification, effectively confirming that this upcoming flagship will indeed support Qi wireless charging.
Interestingly, this official listing comes months ahead of the Pixel 8’s anticipated release date. In comparison, Google’s previous Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro models were not listed on the WPC’s site until over a week after their respective launches.
What’s Missing: The Qi2 Standard
However, with this certification, it becomes clear that the Pixel 8 will not feature the newly announced “Qi2” standard. This updated wireless charging standard, officially unveiled in January this year, builds upon the principles of Apple’s MagSafe ecosystem. Qi2 uses magnets to ensure precise alignment between the charging device and the Qi charging coils, thereby promoting a more efficient charging process.
Despite this, the Pixel 8, according to the WPC, will offer the same maximum Qi charging rate of 12 W. This mirrors the wireless charging capabilities of the preceding Pixel 7, pointing to no significant enhancements in this area for the new model.
Pixel 8 Pro – Still a Chance for Qi2?
At this stage, details about the pro variant of the Pixel 8 have not yet been published by the WPC. Given this, there remains some hope that the Pixel 8 Pro could potentially support the Qi2 standard. However, since Qi2 was only announced earlier this year, it’s reasonable to assume that the Pixel 8 series might not include it just yet.
Conclusion: Pixel 8 – A Step Forward, Not a Leap
With the Pixel 8’s early Qi certification, we have our first confirmed details about Google’s upcoming flagship, even if the information doesn’t denote any substantial changes from the previous generation. While the lack of Qi2 wireless charging support might be disappointing for some, the standard is still in its nascent stages of adoption. Therefore, Google’s decision not to include it in the Pixel 8 should not be a significant cause for concern.
Although wireless charging might not be a vital feature for every user, its continued presence in the Pixel 8 affirms Google’s commitment to offering versatile charging options. As we await more details about the Pixel 8 and its pro variant in the coming months, it’s clear that Google is progressively refining its smartphone offerings to meet the evolving needs of its users.
