You don’t need the Pixel 10’s Pixelsnap – do this instead

Google recently unveiled its all-new series of Pixel 10 phones to the world, and the one hardware addition in particular that is proving to be exceptionally attention-grabbing is the inclusion of built-in magnetic rings across the entire lineup.

Aside from HMD’s Skyline and Apple’s newer iPhone models, no other phones have until now shipped with Qi2 wireless charging magnets; in recent months, some phone makers have instead taken the lazier “Qi2 Ready” route of only including magnets in their first-party cases, but not in their phones proper.

With the Pixel 10 line and its bespoke Pixelsnap magnetic adherence system, the Android ecosystem is finally about to benefit from the wonders of magnetic connectivity. This will ensure more efficient wireless charging via better alignment of inductive coils, while also unlocking access to the broader Qi2 and MagSafe peripheral ecosystems.

But, what if I told you there was another way?

Indeed, while everyone else is sitting on the edge of their seats, waiting for the Pixel 10 series to land on store shelves, I’ve been reaping the benefits of mobile magnetism for several months at this point. It all comes down to my use of a cheap yet incredibly helpful accessory known as a magnetic ring adapter. In my personal case, I’ve been rocking rings from the PopSockets brand, as the adapters came in the box when I purchased a set of PopSockets MagSafe PopGrips earlier this year.

All it took was a couple of minutes to adhere these unassuming ring adapters to the back of my Pixel 9 Pro and to my iPad mini 6th generation, and, from there, I was off to the races. Now, my Pixel is well acquainted with such things as magnetic charging stands, wallets, and battery banks, albeit with hit-or-miss charging speeds due to only supporting the older first-generation Qi specification. As for my iPad mini, which doesn’t support inductive charging of any kind due to its aluminum enclosure, I’ve been adhering it to my car’s phone mount and using it as a full-blown infotainment display while out on the road.

In short, a tiny, affordable ring peripheral has opened my mobile ecosystem horizons to a great degree, and I’ve accomplished this without being at the mercy of any single tech company. Aside from the PopSockets-branded magnetic ring adapter I personally opted for, there are several other affordable options available on the market from reputable brands. Some popular options include:

Additionally, online storefronts like Amazon are filled with multi-packs of generic ring adapters, though quality assurance and the all-important attribute of magnetic strength are likely to be a bit more hit-or-miss when it comes to some of these cheaper offerings. If you’re planning on magnetizing your phone to, say, a car mount, I’d recommend looking for a ring with the most powerful magnetic force you can get your hands on.

I’m never going back to a non-magnetic Android phone

I’ve been living the magnetic life for many months now, and there’s no turning back

Despite drawbacks relating to inefficiency, heat generation, and battery degradation, I’ve gone all-in on magnetic wireless charging via both the MagSafe and Qi2 with Magnetic Power Profile (MPP) industry standards. I’ve written about this before, but I’ve outfitted my entire house with Qi2 charging stands, and I can’t imagine reverting to corded charging unless absolutely necessary.

Putting aside charging, the sheer ingenuity and convenience of having a magnetic ring on the back of my phone is unparalleled. The mobile phone market is teeming with magnetic peripherals and accessories, and I’ve gotten used to the plug-and-play nature of magnetic power banks, grips, wallets, kickstands, tripods, and car mounts. Even if wireless charging itself ceased to exist, I’d want access to magnets simply for the modularity it provides.

Google’s decision to build magnets directly into the Pixel 10 series is a move in the right direction for Android as a platform, and I certainly hope it pushes other phone makers to follow suit with their next-generation devices. Pixelsnap is shaping up to be a worthy branding that can stand alongside the likes of MagSafe, but there’s simply no need to sit and wait for upcoming hardware.

My PopSockets Magnetic Adapter Ring has proven to be of immense value when paired with my existing mobile products, and it only set me back a total of $7 per ring — an economical solution if there ever was one. At this point, I’m prepared to magnify each one of my tech gadgets, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.