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Fast charging gets a new definition on the Google Pixel 9 series

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By Johanna Romero

Published: Aug 30, 2024, 12:22 PM

Bottom of the Google Pixel 9 smartphone with charging port exposed

The Google Pixel 9 series has brought some surprising new changes, and one of them is how it defines "fast charging." Google Pixel 9 Pro XL users noticed that the familiar "charging rapidly" message was missing from their lock screens, replaced instead with an estimated time until the phone is fully charged. This change initially led to confusion about whether the phone was truly fast charging or not.

It turns out, the "charging rapidly" message hasn't disappeared entirely. It still shows up when using the Google 45W USB-C Charger, but it's not exclusive to that charger. In fact, any charger delivering at least 20W of power will trigger the "charging rapidly" message on the Pixel 9 series.

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

This change is due to an update in Android that's currently only active on the Pixel 9 series. Previously, Android considered any charger delivering 7.5W or more as "fast." However, with the Pixel 9 series, Google has raised the bar to 20W.

This means older chargers that might have been considered "fast" on previous Pixel models may not trigger the "charging rapidly" message on the Pixel 9. It's important to note that this doesn't necessarily mean the phone isn't charging quickly; it just means it's not meeting the new 20W threshold.

While Google's official 45W charger guarantees the fastest charging speeds, any fast USB-PD PPS charger delivering at least 20W should also trigger the "charging rapidly" message. It's worth noting that Google's phones don't use a proprietary wired charging standard, so you have flexibility in choosing a charger.

So, basically, the Pixel 9 series has redefined what it considers "fast charging" by raising the threshold to 20W. This change might require some adjustment for users accustomed to seeing the "charging rapidly" message with lower-powered chargers. However, it also reflects how the standards of fast charging technology are changing, where higher wattages are becoming the norm for quicker charging times.

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Johanna 'Jojo the Techie' is a skilled mobile technology expert with over 15 years of hands-on experience, specializing in the Google ecosystem and Pixel devices. Known for her user-friendly approach, she leverages her vast tech support background to provide accessible and insightful coverage on latest technology trends. As a recognized thought leader and former member of #TeamPixel, Johanna ensures she stays at the forefront of Google services and products, making her a reliable source for all things Pixel and ChromeOS.

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