Yet one more Pixel 10 leak exhibits off what seems to be Pixelsnap magnets

We’re now lower than every week away from Google’s big Pixel 10 series reveal, which is slated to happen at 1:00pm ET / 10:00am PT on August 20. As is so usually the case with soon-to-be-released Google gadgets, the {hardware} itself has already been leaked to the moon and again (together with by way of some teasers from the search giant itself).

Mounting evidence suggests that Google is able to undertake not solely native Qi2 wi-fi charging inside its Pixel 10 line, but additionally the MagSafe-style ring of magnets that has been standardized by way of the Wireless Power Consortium’s Magnetic Energy Profile (MPP) specification. This being Google, there’s additionally a rumor that the Pixel’s Qi2 implementation will sport a whimsical brand-name: Pixelsnap.

Now, all-new leaked photographs from Dutch publication NieuweMobiel (via The Verge) showcase that Google’s first-party Pixel 10 circumstances may even characteristic Qi2’s signature array of magnetics, which might be along with the rings embedded throughout the smartphones themselves. In these leaked photographs, an indigo (darkish blue) silicon case is proven from varied angles, with the round imprint of a magnetic ring seen from the within of the case.

Along with the indigo variant, NieuweMobiel showcases obsidian (black), limoncello (yellow), and frost (mild blue) case flavors, which completely match up with the rumored array of Pixel 10 colorways. Separate renders of the identical case for the Pixel 10 Professional are additionally showcased, with moonstone (grey), jade (mild inexperienced), and porcelain (beige) hues on show.

Pixelsnap is an enormous deal

Google may be about to single-handedly push the Android market ahead

Regardless of Qi2 and its Magnetic Energy Profile having been standardized for a while now, Android {hardware} makers have been reluctant to include the specification’s ring of magnets inside their telephones, flagship or in any other case. With the one exception of the HMD Skyline, the likes of Samsung, OnePlus, and others have as an alternative opted to magnetize their first-party circumstances, with out doing so for his or her handsets correct.

This has been a disappointing established order within the Android world, contemplating the plain comfort of having the ability to magnetically adhere a telephone to any variety of wi-fi charging stands, equipment, and peripherals. For reference, Apple’s analogous MagSafe commonplace (which truly serves because the technological foundation of Qi2’s MPP) has been included on all iPhone fashions since 2020, with the one exception being the iPhone 16e.

If the rumors of built-in Pixelsnap magnets for the Pixel 10 collection show correct, this can be a significant growth. Pixel telephones do not promote at excessive volumes, however they do garner a substantial amount of media consideration. As such, this determination of confidence from Google would successfully thrust magnetic Qi2 into the mainstream, compelling different Android telephone makers to hop on the bandwagon with their subsequent flagship fashions.

Personally, I can not anticipate a future through which Qi2, magnets and all, attain ubiquity throughout the Android {hardware} ecosystem. The flexibility to combine and match Qi2 and MagSafe equipment could be great, and it’d convey Android higher in step with the iPhone (and maybe scale back the friction of switching cellular ecosystems).

Keep tuned for extra Pixel 10 collection protection from Pocket-lint within the coming days and weeks.