Skip to content
What you need to know
- Google Pixel 8 has reportedly arrived at Wireless Power Consortium (WPC).
- The listing shows that the device may be limited to 12W wireless charging speeds.
- It’s the same standard as last year’s Google Pixel 7 series.
- The phone also does not come with the new Qi2 standard.
The Pixel 8 series is Google’s next expected product. The company is expected to launch the phones this fall, including the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro. While we wait for the launch, the alleged Pixel 8 has reportedly made it to the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) (via 9to5Google).
The Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) is a regulatory process to certify the wireless charging capabilities of the device. Apparently, the Pixel 8 is registered with the GKWS6 model number. The 9to5 report confirms that the suggested model number is correct.
Last year’s Pixel 7 and 7 Pro arrived at WPC a week before their official release. However, the Pixel 8 has arrived a little early, giving us an idea of what to expect, although it doesn’t sound very exciting.
Unfortunately, the Pixel 8 may not see improvements in wireless charging speeds, according to the WPC listing. It will apparently be the same as last year’s Pixel 7, limiting its capabilities to just 12W. By comparison, the Galaxy S23 Ultra is still slightly faster with support for 15W wireless charging.
Plus, it looks like the Pixel 8 probably won’t see the Qi2 wireless charging announced early this year, based on the version number. For those who don’t know, the Qi2 is a new wireless charging standard that aims to “unify the industry under one global standard and bring greater convenience and efficiency to mobile devices and wearables,” WPC said during the announcement.
The Qi2 works similarly to Apple’s MagSafe wireless charging methods, using magnets around the wireless charging on Android devices to align with the charging accessories.
There’s still hope for the rumored Pixel 8 Pro, as only the Pixel 8 has been spotted on the WPC so far, and the Pro may still support the Qi2 wireless standard for 15W charging. However, the shot is currently still speculative. A few weeks or months would give us a clear picture of the new adoption of wireless charging.
Meanwhile, we recently witnessed a massive Pixel 8 Pro leak showing a video of the device demonstrating the new temperature sensor on the back of the phone.
