Why Aren't More Android Phones Supporting Qi2 Wireless Charging

Since the Pixel 10 launched last year, Qi2 magnets have been a mixed blessing for me: I love what they offer, but I’m frustrated that the Pixel 10 remains essentially the only Android phone to embrace them. It’s baffling that other Android manufacturers haven’t taken this capability seriously, and there’s still no sign of that changing across the industry.

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The Qi2 specification, which added a standard magnet array to the wireless charging protocol, was introduced in early 2023 with the goal of bringing a MagSafe-like experience to many devices. Three years later, however, most Android manufacturers still haven’t adopted it.

Google’s Pixel 10 series represents the clearest Android commitment to Qi2 so far, and the experience has been excellent. The phone works seamlessly with Google’s own “Pixelsnap” accessories and a broad range of third-party Qi2 and MagSafe items. Whether you use a case or not, the Pixel 10 generally aligns and performs reliably.

But beyond Google, adoption is scarce.

Major names in Android hardware have mostly ignored Qi2. Samsung’s Galaxy S26 lineup, for example, skipped Qi2 again this year, reportedly in favor of a slightly thinner profile. Last year Samsung argued customers weren’t asking for magnetic charging, and this year’s excuse is design-driven — either way, the result is the same: fewer phones that natively support modern magnetic Qi charging.

This is frustrating because the accessory market is clearly moving ahead without them. New wireless chargers, battery packs, and other accessories are increasingly built around the Qi2 standard, but very few Android phones can make full use of the benefits. Right now only a handful of Android models support Qi2 out of the box; a few others lost software support or are delayed, leaving most users unable to take advantage of the growing ecosystem.

Comparison of two magnetic wireless charging setups — *One of these is objectively a better experience than the other*

Close-up of Qi2 magnetic accessory alignment — *One of these is objectively a better experience than the other*

Some will say, “Just use a case.” That’s true to an extent, but cases are not a complete solution. Many Android phones still rely on the older Qi 1.3.3 specification, missing out on the faster, more consistent charging speeds Qi2 enables. When a phone lacks native Qi2 support, casemakers are left to approximate proper alignment and performance, which often results in a subpar experience.

Labeling a device “Qi2 Ready” helps casemakers design for correct alignment and gives consumers confidence that accessories will work as intended. More importantly, native adoption signals that a manufacturer acknowledges an industry trend and prioritizes compatibility with the expanding accessory ecosystem.

Samsung’s reluctance to change internal component placement, for instance, prevents some Qi2 accessories from working as intended on their devices. That kind of design inertia undermines interoperability and frustrates consumers who want the convenience of magnetic accessories without compromises.

I keep encountering this disconnect whenever I test new Qi2 accessories — battery banks, chargers, and other gadgets that assume the phone has a proper magnet array. It’s tiring to see clear, user-facing improvements ignored when the accessory market is already building around the standard.

Qi2 magnets are more than a gimmick. Even if you rarely use wireless charging, magnets improve alignment, accessory attachment, and general ease of use. In a product world where year-over-year phone upgrades feel smaller and smaller, Qi2 represents a meaningful, practical enhancement. It’s puzzling that so many manufacturers continue to overlook an obvious and valuable upgrade.

Apple’s marketing already frames many Android phones as dated in comparison, and ignoring Qi2 only reinforces that perception. Embracing a unified magnetic charging standard would benefit consumers and manufacturers alike by creating a more consistent, reliable accessory ecosystem.

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Why Aren’t More Android Phones Supporting Qi2 Wireless Charging

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