Pixel 10: Google removes "Share battery" function in favor of Qi2 magnets
With the new Pixel 10 series, Google is abandoning support for reverse wireless charging under the name "battery sharing" in favor of Qi2.
Share battery: The Pixel 9 Pro still supported this function.
(Image: Andreas Floemer / heise medien)
The "Share battery" function was introduced with the Pixel 5. Five generations later, it has now been discontinued for the time being. According to Google, the reverse charging function of the Pixel 10 series is not compatible with magnetic Qi2.
Google cancels "Share battery"
The removal of what is basically a very practical function from the new models went unnoticed during the presentation of the Pixel 10 series. With the "battery sharing" function, Google's Pixel 5 to Pixel 9 smartphone models make it possible to conveniently help out other phones or earbuds that support wireless charging with a small portion of juice via the back of the Pixel.
This function is now missing in the Pixel 10, as André Fonseca from the Portuguese Android magazine "Droidreader" found out from Google. In his article, he claims that he had not discovered the function in the official specifications, whereupon he asked Google.
In response, he received confirmation that Google had removed the "share battery" function from the Pixel 10 series. The company justified this by stating that the new models feature Qi2 magnetic wireless charging. The magnets, which are integrated into the back of the housing, create a strong connection with the charger. However, this is accompanied by "a physical limitation for wireless reverse charging".
Google further states: "While this means that Battery Share is not currently available on Pixel 10, we are constantly exploring future innovations to improve the Pixel experience."
Qi2 and "Battery Share" are not mutually exclusive
The manufacturer HMD proves that the Qi2 standard and reverse wireless charging or battery sharing are not mutually exclusive with its Skyline model. The device, which was the first Android smartphone with Qi2 and magnetic back on the market, supports both. However, the Skyline has Qi2.0, while Google's Pixel 10 models rely on a newer version and could have technical limitations. At least with the Pixel10 Pro XL, it is clear that it has Qi2.2.1 on board, which supports wireless charging with up to 25 watts.
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Apple was also once said to have given the iPhones a corresponding function. However, the rumor mill has been quiet about this function for a few years now. Apple's MagSafe is basically the same as Qi2, as the company has made the technology available to the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC).
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