The Pixel Stand is Google’s wireless charger for compatible Pixel phones. Announced back in 2018, it sure is due for a successor with better technology and it appears we may be getting just that this year when the Pixel 6 series arrives.
Details dug up in the code of the recently released Android 12 Beta 2 have pointed at a new wireless charger in development. Found by 9to5Google, the code mention cooling fans in the charger which means that the wireless charger should be able to pump out more than the 10W the first-gen Pixel Stand outputs.
We expect the new wireless charger to have a significantly higher maximum power output but most likely not as close to what we have from Xiaomi, Huawei, OPPO, OnePlus, and Meizu.
The code also reveals the wireless charger is codenamed “Luxuryliner”, and looking at the inspiration for the name, there is a possibility that this may not be a vertical wireless charger.
Just like the Pixel Stand, this new charger should be able to activate some interesting software features on the new Pixel phones once placed on it. The Pixel Stand activated a new UI on the Pixel 3 that displayed the owner’s schedule, traffic info, and latest news. It also automatically turned on Do Not Disturb Mode at night while users who own a Nest Hello Video Doorbell could see who is at the door on the screen of their phone when placed on the charger.
The Pixel Stand had a launch price of $79 and shipped with a USB-C to USB-C cable and an 18W USB PD adapter. Knowing Google, we do not think the next-gen charger will cost any less especially if it is bringing new features and faster charging.
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