PSA: Pixel 9 Pro Fold does not support important Pixel accessories

When I gave up my Pixel 6 Pro for the iPhone 11 Pro Max and bought the iPhone 15 Pro Max last year, I doubled down on switching, thinking I would never be interested in a Pixel again. But in fact, it only took this month's Made by Google event to make me think about switching again. But Google continues to shoot itself in the foot with the Pixel, and despite the huge lead Google has over Apple in AI, Pixel 9 buyers are singing the same old song I ended up singing about my Pixel 6 Pro.

Pre-order the Pixel 9 Pro Fold here now!

Some of the problems I complained about Pixel 6 Pro such as replacing two tin cans and a clothesline modem and the terrible optical fingerprint sensor with a better modem and an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner. But there are still some issues that need to be discussed, such as the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. The device is expected to launch as early as next week. Although it was out of stock for a while, the foldable device is back up for pre-order, although delivery dates for the second batch have been pushed back to late October.

Not too many Pixel 9 Pro Fold buyers read a support document before pre-ordering the phone

If you have not yet placed your order, Pixel 9 Pro Fold, here is a very important thing you should know. The phone does not work with the Pixel Stand 2 wireless charging stand and the OG Pixel Stand. Google tried to make the public aware of this by making a change to the support document titled “Charge your phone with a Pixel Stand”. Maybe we are wrong, but we can imagine that most Pixel 9 Pro Fold buyers probably did not consult this online site before purchasing their Pixel 9 Pro Fold units.

Did anyone have this Pixel 9 Pro If he had read the support document before ordering, he would have seen a full section titled “Wireless charging for Pixel 9 Pro Folds.” The very first line of the section reads: “Important: Pixel 9 Pro Fold does not support the Pixel Stand, but many other wireless chargers do.” In the document, Google explains the reason why the Pixel 9 Pro Fold doesn't work with the Pixel Stand 2.

The charging coils inside the device aren't perfectly centered like previous Pixel models. Google says, “This could make it difficult to wirelessly charge your phone.”

In the support document, Google includes a picture of the back of the Pixel 9 Pro The folding display shows the placement of the coils, allowing device owners to pair the device with third-party wireless charging stations and pads that work better with the foldable device.

What Google should have done to make buyers aware of the latest foldable Pixel

What Google should have done is promote this issue more than it did in the Google Store. For example, while the listing of other Pixel 9 phones in the Google Store promotes “Fast Wireless Charging”, Pixel 9 Pro Fold's listing says “wireless charging support (Qi certified).” Google never indicated anywhere that the device wouldn't work with the Pixel Stand 2 until it made the change on the support page a few days ago. And that doesn't look good for Google.
The Pixel Stand 2 charges the Pixels 9 at 15W, 21W for the Pixel 9 Proand 23W for the Pixel 9 Pro XL. It costs $79 and includes a 30W USB-C power adapter and a USB-C to C cable that comes with the Pixel Stand 2.

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold has a 4650mAh battery and charges with a wired charger at up to 21W while charging wirelessly at 7.5W. Could Google have allowed this? Pixel 9 Pro Fold works with the Pixel Stand 2, and users could have charged the foldable device with faster wireless charging speeds. But things didn't get sorted out, leaving owners of the new foldable to rely on slower third-party wireless chargers. You can't blame Google for that.

Google’s mistake is the company’s inability to communicate to consumers that the Pixel 9 Pro Fold doesn't support the Pixel Stand 2, which is made clear in the Google Store, not just in a support document that most consumers never read.

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