The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold has encountered a significant issue with wireless charging due to the misalignment of its charging coil. Unlike previous Pixel models that worked seamlessly with Google’s wireless chargers, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold struggles to charge wirelessly because the coil’s placement is slightly off-center. This misalignment prevents the phone from syncing properly with the Pixel Stand 2, which was designed to offer fast wireless charging speeds of up to 23W.
The problem with wireless charging is not new for Google’s foldable phones. The original Google Pixel Fold also had trouble with wireless charging, only managing to draw 7.5W of power. The situation has worsened with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, which cannot even achieve this level of charging efficiency. The Google Support page has confirmed that the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is incompatible with the second-generation Pixel Stand due to this design flaw.
The issue arises from the slight misalignment of the charging coil compared to other Pixel devices. This misalignment means that when the phone is placed on the stand, the coils cannot properly align, resulting in charging difficulties. Google suggests moving the phone around on the charger to try and establish a connection, but this workaround is inconvenient and does not guarantee success.
Despite these issues with wireless charging, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold has received praise for other features. The screen’s size and brightness have been highlighted positively, and the new AI functionalities, such as Pixel Studio and Add Me, are seen as strong points. However, the phone’s battery performance has been criticized, and its camera quality falls short compared to the Pixel 9 Pro.
The odd placement of the charging coil may not be a design fault but could indicate that Google might release a new Pixel Stand in the future to address this issue. For more details on Google’s latest devices, including insights from the recent Made By Google Event, further information is available for those interested.
