Google Pixel 9 identifies slow chargers with a modified identification criterion. Although limited to the Google Pixel 9 series for now, Android OS may soon have a revised definition for “Fast Chargers”.
The Pixel 9 is choosy about fast chargers and their power delivery
Google Pixel 9 is refusing to call chargers that deliver less than 20 watts as Fast Chargers. Simply put, Google appears to have amended the qualification criteria for “Fast Charging”.
Google launched the Pixel 9 series of smartphones a little over two weeks ago. The Android OS developer has added several new features and functions to the Android OS version running on the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
APKMirror founder Artem Russakovskii posted on X that his Pixel 9 Pro XL no longer shows the “charging rapidly” text on the lock screen. Instead of the familiar text, his smartphone shows an ETA for when his phone will complete charging.
Also the Pixel 9 Pro XL annoyingly removed the “Charging rapidly” and replaced it with an ETA. While the ETA is useful, I can no longer easily tell if I’m connected to a “fast” charger or not.
Maybe the Google 45W charger does still show “charging rapidly”? But nothing I’ve… pic.twitter.com/69hDi5WiGZ
— Artem Russakovskii (@ArtemR) August 28, 2024
Needless to say, such information doesn’t confirm if the phone is connected to a “Fast Charger”. It seems Google hasn’t retired the visual indicator. Instead, the company has raised the bar for what classifies as a fast charger.
According to Android Authority, any charger that can deliver at least 20W of power to the Pixel 9 will trigger the “charging rapidly” text to appear on the lock screen. Currently, only the Pixel 9 smartphones have the revised identification and classification parameters for chargers.
Will all Android smartphones categorize Fast Chargers with the new rating?
There are hundreds, if not thousands, of brands that claim to offer fast chargers. However, without additional apps, it is difficult to accept or verify these claims.
Until now, Android was quite lenient with the classification of chargers. In other words, any charger that delivered at least 7.5W of power, was classified as a fast charger. Needless to say, charging a smartphone at this wattage, would take a very long time.
Moreover, several chargers today can deliver up to 200W of power. Clubbing them with chargers that deliver just 7.5W, and calling them all fast chargers, is misleading.
Google has been amending the classification of chargers in Android. Moving forward, Android smartphones could identify slow chargers by refusing to plaster fast charging on the screen. However, the search giant hasn’t confirmed if all Android smartphones would need at least 20W of power to confirm the device is connected to a fast charger.