One of the most exciting things about the Pixel 10 launch wasn’t the plethora of new colourways but the fact that Google added MagSafe-style magnets to all four phones.
This was a first for an Android flagship phone and it meant that Google could introduce its own line of Pixelsnap accessories – although you can already use the phones with “thousands” of MagSafe devices (with some caveats).
Google didn’t send us any Pixelsnap accessories to review apart from the official case (which is fine, but too expensive at £49/$49), so we bought them to find out if they’re worth it.
My colleague tried out the fantastic Pixelsnap Ring, as well as the new Pixel Flex Dual Port charger (which doesn’t have magnets) and I’ve been using the Pixelsnap Charger with Stand, to give it its full name.
Chris Martin / Foundry
That awkward name is necessary(ish) because it has a very different approach to the first and second generations of Pixel Stand. I own and love both of these, but Google has made some strange decisions here, which have left me very disappointed.
In fact, the Pixelsnap Stand is so different from Google’s previous models that it’s best not thought of as a successor – although I’ve found that hard to do.
The next in line to two of the best wireless chargers you could buy – especially for Pixel phones – is a glorified paperweight with a hole in it.
Why Google would allow this to happen when pairing its flagship phone with the official charger is puzzling
The long name has been used because the stand holds the Pixelsnap Charger in the middle and it comes out the box already in place. Google calls the device ‘modular’ but this is the only reason.
It means you can easily attach your Pixel 10 to the stand for charging and also remove the wireless charging puck if you want to take it with you somewhere.
Both of these things are great, but that’s where the positives end for this device.
What was Google thinking?
Sure, it looks kinda nice if you like Google’s white pebble-cum-marshmallow style, alongside the pale green of the charger itself, but the accessory doesn’t do half thing things I expected it to – especially given it’s £64.99/$69.99, which is an additional £25/$30 on the charging puck. You don’t even get a basic power adapter in the box.
The stand is heavy (over 400g) so it stays put on your desk or bedside table, but it gives the impression that you can adjust the angle. You couldn’t on the Pixel Stands, but they leaned back a bit more, whereas this one is more upright, around 65 degrees.
I can live with that, but the other downsides to the Pixelsnap Stand just mean it’s one to avoid.
Chris Martin / Foundry
One of the things that made me love the Pixel Stands so much was the additional functionality that Google built in for Pixel phone owners. Once you placed your phone on it, it would prompt you to set up all kinds of useful software tricks, almost turning it into a tiny Nest Hub smart display, complete with Google Assistant integration.
You get some of that functionality with the Pixelsnap Stand, but in a different and more basic way. You can select from a range of screensavers, including home controls, two clocks, Pixel Weather and Google Photos.
However, you can only choose one, and only some can be customised. Sure, the phone looks quite cool docked in landscape orientation, which is made possible by the magnets, but everything is more basic here – the clock doesn’t even show charging progress.
Google Photos is the best as you can select an album to slideshow and you’ll still get a clock and weather overlayed. It’s worth noting, however, that none of this functionality is exclusive to the Pixelsnap Stand or charger.
Too hot to handle
Another benefit of the Pixel Stand (2nd generation) was its inbuilt fan. This would help keep your phone cool during charging, with three modes to choose from (Optimized, Max, and Quiet).
There’s nothing of the sort for the Pixelsnap Stand. In fact, the opposite is true here. As the wireless charging puck is housed inside the stand, thermal performance is worse.
Chris Martin / Foundry
I’ve not noticed any major problems with my regular Pixel 10, but reports from reputable sites such as Android Authority indicate that Pixel 10 Pro XL owners will have a bad experience.
That’s the only Pixel 10 model with faster 25W Qi2.2 charging, but on the Pixelsnap Stand, you won’t see the benefit. The phone is prone to overheating and won’t charge any faster than its stablemates, defeating the point.
Why Google would allow this to happen when pairing its flagship phone with the official charger is puzzling – and I’m not even done with my complaints yet.
Chris Martin / Foundry
The cable for the charger, since it’s just the puck in a stand, is fixed and too short. It’s just 1m long, so it’s not long enough to reach the floor underneath my desk while having it in the spot I want.
Conversely, if you have a power socket close to the stand, you’ve got a metre of cable to organise.
Just don’t do it
It pains me to say, and it’s a rare swing and a miss for Google, but the Pixelsnap Stand is not worth your money.
This overpriced holder for the Pixelsnap Charger has almost no redeeming features and actively hampers charging, especially for the Pixel 10 Pro XL.
It’s particularly jarring and disappointing after the incredible Pixel Stand (gen 2), which was more advanced in just about every way.
Even buying the Pixelsnap Charger on its own is a questionable decision. Only the XL can make use of the full 25W speed and you can find plenty of cheaper options from the likes of Anker for the other models.
