Google"s Pixel 5a 5G debuted earlier today with a Snapdragon 765G SoC like its predecessor and some minor upgrades over the Pixel 4a 5G. Along with the announcement, Google also confirmed that its latest smartphone will be the last device to include an in-box charger.
That means the next-generation Google Pixel 6 series won"t ship with a power brick in the box when it becomes available presumably later this year. The plan is similar to what Apple and Samsung have already done with their latest phones. And like its toughest rivals, Google reasoned out that excluding an in-box charger is a practical and economical step since most consumers already own a USB-C charger.
While the Mountain View-based giant didn"t explicitly say it, another crucial factor to that decision could be its cost-cutting benefits. Other companies have also argued that it"s an eco-friendly compromise.
For several years, the Pixel phones have shipped with an 18W USB-C power adapter. Google"s latest decision marks another departure in terms of packaging. The Pixel 6 and 6 Pro already offer a significant upgrade from their predecessor when it comes to specs, design, and cameras, at least as suggested by a recent leak.
That said, consumers still don"t run out of options for smartphones that ship with an in-box charger, such as the Xiaomi Mi 11. Otherwise, they"ll have to pay extra to keep their flagship phones juiced up.
Source: The Verge