Does the Google Pixel 10a support Qi2 magnetic charging?

The Google Pixel 10a on a red surface. — (Image credit: Google)

Does the Google Pixel 10a support Qi2 magnetic charging?

Best answer: No, the Google Pixel 10a doesn't support Qi2 magnetic charging as it has no integrated magnets. Using a magnetic case is not an option either. That said, it does have faster (30W wired and 10W wireless) charging speeds over the last-gen model.

Google Pixel 10a: A phone that's (mostly) a rehash of its predecessor

Google's latest affordable smartphone is finally here, taking over the mantle from the Pixel 9a. Compared to the previous-gen model, the Pixel 10a is a fairly modest upgrade, with few new features. That includes the 5,100 mAh battery as well, which is exactly the same as the last-gen model's. While this does mean the Pixel 10a can go up against some of the best Android phones in terms of battery endurance (at least on paper), have there been any improvements in charging?

The answer is yes. The Pixel 10a supports up to 30W wired charging and up to 10W wireless charging, provided you use Google's 45W USB-C wall charger to juice up the smartphone. This is a decent boost, compared to the 23W wired charging and 7.5W wireless charging that the Pixel 9a supports. That said, Google's new smartphone lacks built-in magnets, so there is no Qi2 compatibility onboard. You can't use a magnetic case to achieve this, either. As such, the Pixel 10a is the only member of the Pixel 10 line-up that doesn't support Google's Pixelsnap ecosystem of accessories.

All colorways of the Pixel 10a — (Image credit: Google)

Apart from that, the affordable smartphone carries forward just about everything from the previous-gen model. The specifications are exactly the same, except for a slightly brighter screen that's now protected with Corning Gorilla Glass 7i. The Pixel 10a is a dead ringer for the Pixel 9a, although its 0.1 mm of extra thickness means that the pill-shaped dual-lens camera array now sits completely flush with the back panel. As you'd expect, the phone comes with Android 16 out of the box and will receive seven years of OS and security updates, including Pixel-exclusive feature drops and a wide range of AI-based tools.

We have no doubt that the Pixel 10a will end up ranking up there among some of the best cheap Android phones available out there, like its predecessor. However, unless you can grab it at an extremely irresistible price (via preorder deals), it makes no sense to upgrade from the Pixel 9a.

Google Pixel 10a render in the Fog colorway.

Google Pixel 10a

The newest budget Pixel

The Pixel 10a is a rather conservative upgrade over the Pixel 9a that doesn't bring in a whole lot of new stuff to the table. However, you still get a few improvements enhancements such as a brighter display with Corning Gorilla Glass 7i protection, and a fully flat profile.

When Rajat got his first Personal Computer—a Pentium III machine with 128MB of RAM and a 56kbps dial-up modem—back in 2001, he had little idea it would mark the beginning of a lifelong love affair with gadgets. That fascination, combined with a penchant for writing and editing, ultimately led to him becoming a technology journalist. Some of his other interests include Photography, Hand Lettering, and Digital Typography. Rajat is also somewhat obsessed with wrist-worn timepieces and appreciates a Casio just as much as a Jaeger-LeCoultre.

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