Charging your smartphone probably would rank as one of the most basic features you can find in any device, you just plug the cable that came with your phone and there you go, right? Well, yes, but there is much more to it on Pixel phones. Through wireless or fast charging, you can upgrade your experience with more convenient battery top-ups during the day or lightning-fast charging speeds that will have your phone up and running much faster than the good and old traditional method.

Fast charging really is what it says on the tin. It is basically the same process as you would do to charge your phone, you plug the charger in the socket, the cable on your device, and there you go, with the difference that it is much faster. But why? How?

The answer lies within the power that the fast charger can deliver to the device and the capacity of said device to store that energy, usually measured in Watts (W). So, for example, Pixel 9 can charge up to a rate of 27W of energy using a compatible charger. In terms of time, this means that in just 30 minutes, you should have 55% of your battery charged.  

In the simplest terms, wireless charging is a technology that allows you to charge your device without having to plug a cable directly into your smartphone or tablet. In essence, it is a convenient way to top-up your battery whenever you need, or recharging after a day of heavy usage, without having to fumble around looking for the cable.

Wireless charging is made possible by a transfer of energy from a special charging pad to a compatible device using electromagnetic fields. You just need to rest your phone on the charger and your battery starts topping up.

The majority of modern smartphones use the Qi standard, which allows the device to absorb power just by being placed on a charging pad. The Qi standard is a universal wireless charging technology that allows smartphones and other devices to be fueled up using inductive charging. This is how your device harnesses those electromagnetic fields we mentioned.

Much like wired charging, wireless charging speeds can vary between devices. The wattage of your charger plays a huge role in this, for example, a standard Qi charger can range between 5W and 15W. For a charger with the latter wattage, you could expect your phone to go from 0% to 50% battery in around 45 minutes. There are some newer Qi standards that can offer even speedier charging than this, though.

Have a phone case and want to charge wirelessly? No problem. Providing your case isn’t overly thick or made from metal, you should be able to enjoy wireless charging just fine. Of course, removing your phone case to power up is also an option.

• An obvious yet important step is to check that your device supports wireless charging. If you are using a Pixel phone, the latest models all support wireless charging straight out of the box.

• Check that your wireless charger is Qi certified. Pixel devices comply with the Qi standard, so you’ll need to make sure that the charging pad is compatible before you get started.

• Position your device on the charging pad and look for the charging indicators. Your device will present an icon to signal that it’s charging wirelessly. If the indicator shows, you’ve started to top up your battery.
  

The convenience of wireless charging is that you can power up by simply putting down your phone. The battery is running low during a long drive? It’s an easy fix with wireless charging, as there are in-car options that ensure you’ll never lose battery life on the road again.

Your phone’s USB-C port is also kept free for any other devices or connections you want to use it for. For example, you could charge your phone without having to disconnect from your wired headphones.

Alongside offering handy and all-important convenience, using a wireless charger can also help to reduce the wear and tear on your device’s charging port, which could prolong the life of your phone.

Not all fast charging is created the same. Different brands and companies may use their own technologies for a fast-charging solution. However, it boils down to how much power the chargers can output and how much the devices are built to take in. 

So, in order to enjoy a fast-charging phone at its very best, you’ll likely need just the right combination of device, cable, and charger.  

It’s also possible to enjoy wireless fast charging, too, as lots of new devices support this feature. While generally not as fast as cabled chargers, these can get upwards of 23 W on select Pixel phones. Once again, the speed depends on your phone and having a compatible charger. 

If you find yourself putting your phone down frequently in a few key spots, wireless charging could help make sure you’re topping up your battery without even having to think about it.

By allowing your device to sip power throughout the day, you’ll keep your phone battery topped up for whatever may lie ahead.

If getting topped up quickly is what matters most, fast charging might be the best fit for you, as it’s much faster than wireless charging.

Your needs, daily device use, and lifestyle can be significant factors in deciding if wireless charging is right for you.

Pros:

• There are no cables to fumble around with, so you can enjoy an uncluttered desk

• It makes charging simple – just rest your device on the charging pad

• Reduced wear and tear on charging ports

• Great for rapid top-ups or full charges (in case of fast wireless charging)

Cons:

• It can be slower than wired charging, even with fast charging options 

• You can still use your phone while it’s charging, but it needs to stay flat on the pad, so it might be a little less convenient for some tasks

Fast charging is a great technology that really enhances something that is well established without major drawbacks. If speed is what you need, investing in a fast charger is the best way to go.

Pros:

• Fastest charging speed possible, when compared to other methods

• Great tool if you need to use battery-draining features constantly and cannot lose much time charging the phone during the day

Cons:

• Potential for additional heat generation (especially if conditions are not ideal, such as a very hot room already)

• Can lead to more cycles of charging and depleting the battery in a quicker succession, which in theory reduces the battery life in the long run

Now you know how wireless charging works and you have a handy step-by-step guide, it’s time to perfect the experience. Although it’s a simple and easy process, there are a few things you can do to make sure nothing goes awry.

Obviously, your phone is your pride and joy, so taking care of it and protecting it from bumps and drops is important. To achieve this, you may have a rather chunky phone case. Although this is usually incredibly handy, it can interfere with wireless charging capabilities. Simply remove thick or metal cases before you get started.

Dirt, grime, and debris can get in the way of making that all-important connection for wireless charging. It can prevent you from aligning your phone properly and even slow down the connection. Simply give your charging pad a quick wipe down to prevent any dust, crumbs, or anything else from getting in the way of your charging experience.

You’ll need to check your phone’s placement on the charging pad to make sure it’s connected. Remember, when the charging indicator pops up on your device, that’s when you know you’re successfully charging. Perhaps give your phone a wiggle to achieve proper alignment.

There’s more to wireless charging than just a more convenient way of topping up your phone battery. That’s where Battery Share comes in, also known as reverse wireless charging. This feature is supported by some of the newer Pixel models, including Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL, to name a few.

In short, Battery Share allows you to charge other devices (as long as they’re Qi certified), such as other phones, earbuds or smart watches by placing them on the back of your Pixel phone. Sharing is caring, after all.

Got a Pixel phone? Excellent news. The latest additions to the Pixel line-up are compatible with both wireless and fast charging.

Charging speeds vary by model. Here’s what you can expect: