Google launched the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL last year with support for wireless charging. However, only customers who would buy the accompanying Pixel Stand or a very limited range of third-party wireless chargers may take advantage of that feature at a faster speed. That meant charging pads not approved by Google could only juice up the third-generation Pixel phones at 5W.
However, it appears that Google has changed that with the Pixel 4 series. Spotted by XDA Developers' Mishaal Rahman, who shared the information on Twitter, the fourth-gen Pixel phones actually include support for any Qi wireless charging pad with a capacity of up to 11W.
This enables users to charge their Pixel 4 or Pixel 4 XL using any wireless charging pad faster than the previous limitation, although this capability was not mentioned by Google during the Pixel 4 debut. The Pixel 4's official registration with the Wireless Power Consortium was on October 17, two days after the phones' announcement.
The Pixel 4 series' silent addition of support for all third-party Qi wireless chargers is a welcome development, nevertheless, as it removes the need to purchase a Pixel Stand if you wish to wirelessly juice up your handset faster than 5W.