Pixel 9 Pro Fold wireless charging

Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s Coil Placement Incompatibility Renders Pixel Stand 2 Obsolete for Charging

Google’s Pixel 9 series has just been released on August 22nd, and now the company’s attention has shifted to its upcoming foldable device. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is set to hit the market in the coming week, and users are eagerly anticipating its arrival. One critical detail to note is that the new foldable will not be compatible with the Pixel Stand 2 for charging. The company has provided an explanation for this limitation.

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold was officially announced at the Made by Google event in 2024. It has captured a lot of attention due to its larger and slimmer foldable display, powered by the Tensor G4 processor. Pre-orders for the new device are already available, and it will be available for purchase starting September 4th.

Ahead of its launch, Google informed users that the Pixel Stand 2 could not be used to charge the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. The Pixel Stand 2, released in 2021 alongside the Pixel 6 series and priced at $79, includes a 30W USB-C power adapter and a USB C-to-C cable. The charger can deliver different charging speeds for various Pixel models: up to 15W for the Pixel 9, 21W for the Pixel 9 Pro, and 23W for the Pixel 9 Pro XL.

Google recently updated its support documents to specify that the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is compatible with other wireless chargers, but not the Pixel Stand 2. The company explained that the charging coil in the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is not centrally positioned, making it challenging to use the device with the Pixel Stand 2. A diagram was even provided to show the location of the charging coil.

Google advises users to adjust the position of their phone when using other wireless chargers to ensure proper alignment. Users should check the charging indicator on their phone to confirm correct positioning.

This information may come as a disappointment for those invested in the Google ecosystem, as they might see this as a significant inconvenience. It is a detail some believe should have been clearly mentioned in the device’s listing or specifications.