Pixel 9 redefines fast charging standards for Android
Top 3 Key Points:
- Pixel 9 raises the fast charging threshold to a minimum of 20W.
- New charging standards highlight differences between slow and true fast chargers.
- Google’s 45W charger exemplifies the new fast-charging benchmark.
Google’s Pixel 9 series has introduced significant advancements in battery life and charging efficiency, setting a new benchmark for Android smartphones. The most noteworthy improvement is the revised threshold for what constitutes “fast charging.”
Traditionally, Android devices have recognized any charger delivering over 7.5W as “fast,” which led to a “Charging rapidly” notification on Pixel phones even when using relatively slow chargers. This ambiguity often confused users, as there was no clear visual distinction between low-output chargers and genuinely fast chargers like Google’s 30W adapter.
This year, however, marks a pivotal change. With the Pixel 9, Google has doubled the threshold for the “charging rapidly” status, now requiring a minimum of 20W. This change, first noted by Android Authority, means that users will now have a clearer indication of whether their charger is truly delivering fast charging capabilities.
The Pixel 9 itself supports up to 27W charging, while the Pro XL variant reaches 37W, and the new 45W charger from Google is fully capable of triggering the fast charge indicator. Although this shift is currently specific to the Pixel 9, it signals a broader movement towards higher standards across the Android ecosystem, promising more transparency and efficiency in smartphone charging.