Robert Triggs / Android Authority
I’d forgive you for thinking that the Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro have finally gotten on the Fast Charging Express. Recommendations to use Google’s adopted USB-powered PPS charging protocol and the new 30W USB-C adapter to achieve maximum speed are certainly highly recommended. But it should never be taken home, and Google’s latest phones still show the shortest charging times.
Anyone who has ever used a phone will frown at the “two hours total” message they get when they connect. Google boasts that it charges 50% in 30 minutes, but the full cycle takes an unspecified amount of time. Looking more closely at the literature, Google doesn’t actually specify a maximum wired charging speed for the Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro. Here’s what the official Google Pixel 6 support page says:
The Google 30W USB-C Charger with USB-PD 3.0 (PPS) charges up to 50% in 30 minutes.
Fast wired charging rates are based on using the Google 30W USB-C charger plugged into a wall outlet. Compatible with USB PD 3.0 PPS adapter. Actual results may be slow. Adapters sold separately.
Confused? Luckily, android permission Came into the lab to take a closer look at the reasons for these long charging times. Verdict The assumed 30W charging isn’t exactly 30W.
Google Pixel 6 Wired Charging Tested
Based on testing with Google’s official 30W USB-C adapter and a handful of compatible adapters. With the fast charging cable, we found that the maximum power from both the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro was just 22W, with an average of just 13W over the entire cycle. During testing, I never saw speeds close to the 30W charging that many believe the Pixel 6 series is capable of. We confirmed these results by testing with other high-power USB-powered PPS plugs, including: the Anker Nano II, the Samsung 45W Travel Adapter, and the Electric Jet X21 Pro — both of which would charge the Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro. Time showed a maximum output of 22W.
The charging power of the Google Pixel 6 is 22W, not 30W.
How does this affect charging time? With USB Power Delivery PPS, the Google Pixel 6 Pro takes 111 minutes to fully charge its 5,000mAh battery (typically 5,000mAh according to Google) from nearly empty. All data shown in this figure and in this article was obtained with the Pixel 6 series. Adaptive charging and adaptive battery settings are off. All charging times mentioned here are based on average data from multiple tests.
It’s pretty disappointing to think that the Pixel 5 supports 18W charging with a 4,080mAh capacity and charges in around 87 minutes. Also, 22W is well below 5,000mAh. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra of 25W charging capacity, charges in just one hour with the correct charger. So, why is there such a large disparity?
To see this, we need to take a closer look at how the charging power changes over a cycle. In general, fast charging uses more power when starting in the constant current phase of charging…