Google Pixel 2 can charge really fast, compensates for no wireless

There is no such thing as a perfect smartphone. Even the Google Pixel, especially the new Pixel 2, forces even its fans to compromise on some things. While Google has, like it or not, embraced wireless audio by ditching the 3.5 mm headphone jack, it seems to still snub the other wireless trend: charging. One of Google's reasons is that wireless charging isn't fast enough and there is some truth to that. "USB C Crusader" Benson Leung reveals exactly how much power the Pixel 2 can take in.

Google, and Googler Benson Leung, are huge advocates of USB C, including the new Power Delivery standard, which also has its own fast charging standard similar to the proprietary Qualcomm Quick Charge. The most common PD (Power Delivery) fast charging configuration is 18 watts. The spec, however, allows for so much more and the Pixel 2 actually supports more.

How much more? Leung says that the new phones can support up to 27 watts. That's a third more than the current convention. The catch, however, is that you'll need a PD-compliant charger to make that happen. And Leung didn't drop any hints as to what those would be, although Google does sell a 45W USB-C charger.

It does open another can of worms that USB-C users already experienced in the past 2 years. Which chargers are actually compliant and which ones only claim to be? Leung himself gained fame or infamy for bringing to light those USB-C cables that advertised but didn't implement the USB-C standard properly, leading sometimes to disastrous results. Given last year's Galaxy Note 7 fiasco, consumers might be more cautious in playing around with uncommon charging technologies, even if they come with the promise of super fast charging.

It also still doesn't answer whether that's enough to compensate for the Pixel 2's lack of wireless charging. Given how 27W fast PD charging relies heavily on charging accessories that may not be that convenient or easily accessible, it might be a feature that is far less useful than it is advertised to be.

VIA: +Benson Leung