I left Samsung for a Pixel — and this feature makes me glad I did

The new Samsung Galaxy S26 series still doesn't support Qi2, and it makes the Google Pixel 10 Pro so much better.

I left Samsung for a Pixel — and this feature makes me glad I did

[A Qi2-compatible case on a Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge next to a Google Pixel 10 Pro.]

Credit: Brady Snyder / MakeUseOf

Brady Snyder

Mar 1, 2026, 2:00 PM EST

Brady is a technology journalist for MakeUseOf with years of experience covering all things mobile, computing, and general tech. He has a focus on Android phones and audio gear, and holds a B.S. in Journalism from St. John's University.

Brady has written for publications like Android Central, Android Authority, XDA, Android Police, iMore, and others. He has experience reporting on major events held by Google, Apple, and Samsung, as well as trade shows like Lenovo Innovation World and IFA.

When he's not writing about and testing the latest gadgets, you'll find Brady watching Big East basketball and running.

When Apple graciously gifted the proprietary technology behind MagSafe to the Wireless Power Consortium — which later added it to the Qi2 charging standard via the Magnetic Power Profile — all eyes were on Android phone brands. It's rare to see Apple give away exclusive technology to the competition, but that's what it did with MagSafe. Surely, Android phones would jump at the chance to add MagSafe compatibility to their flagship phones, right? Apparently not. The first Qi2 specification with magnetic charging support was released in late 2023, and Android adoption has been slow, to say the least.

Smartphone designs are developed and finalized years before they actually release, so I don't blame Android manufacturers for needing a bit of time to get up to speed — literally. However, it's now 2026, and there's no reason why magnetic Qi2 support on Android flagships is this rare. I have to give credit to Google, who sent over a review unit of its Pixel 10 Pro, which became one of the first mainstream Android phones with MagSafe and Qi2 support. I switched from my trusty Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge (without MagSafe) to the Pixel 10 Pro (with MagSafe), and I couldn't believe the difference.

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What's so great about Qi2 built-in?

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Qi2 and MagSafe enable seamless connection with wireless chargers

[Qi2 with a case on a Galaxy phone next to a Pixel with Qi2 built-in.]

Credit: Brady Snyder / MakeUseOf

I have to admit, despite using iPhones regularly, I got used to not having MagSafe on Android. Adding a magnetic ring adapter or MagSafe-compatible case to a Samsung Galaxy or Google Pixel phone simply became a part of using Android flagships. Plus, most case brands started including magnets in their popular case models. Anyone who uses their Android phone with a protective or stylish case probably had MagSafe compatibility already without thinking much about it.

Switching to the Pixel 10 Pro reminded me just how handy it is to have those magnets built right into the phone itself. Google's implementation is branded as "Pixelsnap," but don't worry, it's the same as MagSafe and Qi2. I typically prefer to use my phones without cases — the design of modern flagships is just too impressive to cover up with cheap plastic. With Qi2 built-in, I can get all the benefits that come with magnetic wireless charging without needing to slap on a flimsy case.

[Magsafe case on a Pixel 9a.]

Pixel 10's Pixelsnap is a bigger deal than you think

The Pixel 10's built-in magnets attract more than just accessories.

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There are practical benefits to using a phone with Qi2 built-in, and they shouldn't be overlooked. For one, the Qi2 standard supports faster wireless charging speeds. The Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold support 15W wireless charging with Pixelsnap, while the Pixel 10 Pro XL takes that one step further with 25W speeds. The biggest perk, though, is getting perfect magnetic alignment with your wireless charger.

Wireless charging is inefficient compared to wired charging, and only 50% to 80% of the electricity transferred during the process actually makes its way to your phone's wireless charging coils, charging your battery. The rest is emitted as heat throughout the transfer process, which can force your phone to thermal throttle and slow down charging speeds.

One of the many reasons wireless charging might be less efficient is if the wireless charging coils on your phone and its charger are not precisely aligned. With a Qi2, MagSafe, or Pixelsnap charger, this isn't a concern. The phone will automatically snap into place, regardless of whether you use a case, and you can get the best wireless charging efficiency possible.

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Qi2 is about so much more than charging

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Using accessories like wallets, stands, and mounts is simpler

Charging is pretty low on the list of Qi2 benefits for my use case, though. Being able to use magnetic accessories with your smartphone without a case or adapter in between is the most useful Pixelsnap feature. I can justify snapping a magnetic wallet to my phone, because it saves me from having to carry another item in my pocket and only adds marginal thickness to my device. The Apple MagSafe Wallet, for example, snaps onto my Pixel 10 Pro and doesn't protrude much further than the Pixel camera bar. In other words, it actually evens out the phone's thickness in a way that is comfortable and ergonomic.

That said, I can't justify using a MagSafe wallet and a case — the combination makes phones too thick. It's unwieldy, and I stopped using these useful Qi2 accessories on Android phones altogether as a result. Magnetic wallets are just the beginning. There are phone grips, ring stands, tripods, and a slew of other magnetic accessories that you can attach to a Pixel 10 Pro right out of the box. Since these only use magnets for connection, they can be swapped out in seconds, providing true modularity.

The real accessory benefit that comes with native magnetic Qi2 support is compatibility. It's no secret that case and accessory brands prioritize iPhone models over Android flagships when designing their new products. By adding Pixelsnap to the Pixel 10 series, Google opened up its new phones to thousands of MagSafe accessories released for iPhones over the years. The Google Pixel accessory ecosystem multiplied exponentially overnight, and that's huge for Pixel 10 owners.

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I can't wait another year for Qi2 on Galaxy

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It's a standard feature on Apple and Google phones, and it should be

[Qi2 with a case on a Galaxy phone next to a Pixel with Qi2 built-in.]

Credit: Brady Snyder / MakeUseOf

Apple added MagSafe to the iPhone in 2020, and it became part of the Qi2 spec in 2023. The first Android phone with magnetic Qi2 support, the HMD Skyline, debuted in 2024. It's now 2026, and Google finally added the feature to the Pixel 10 series last year. I don't have any more patience to wait for leading Android brands like Samsung and OnePlus to catch up. The Galaxy S26 launch came and went without Samsung incorporating Qi2 magnets into its new phones, and I'm drawing my line in the sand. Qi2 is an essential feature, any phone I use as a daily driver needs to have it.

If you're a Samsung Galaxy user wondering if Qi2 and MagSafe support on the Pixel 10 series is really a game changer, the answer is yes. Google Pixel phones are thicker and heavier than the competition, but having Qi2 built-in means that you don't have to ruin your phone's in-hand feel with a MagSafe case or accessory. It opens up more reliable wireless charging and a larger accessory ecosystem, and it makes the Pixel 10 series stand out in a crowded Android market.

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