What it’s good to know
- The Google Pixel Stand 2 was launched alongside the Pixel 6 sequence and supplied a streamlined charging expertise and nice software program options for $79.
- The charger wasn’t suitable with the brand new Pixel 9 Professional Fold as a result of placement of its charging coils.
- Now, it seems the Pixel Stand 2 is formally discontinued because it’s not obtainable for buy on the Google Retailer.
The charging speeds and compatibility supplied by the brand new Google Pixel 9 sequence was a scorching subject when the 4 telephones had been launched, and there’s a brand new improvement within the saga. After the Pixel Stand 2 was marketed as delivering the quickest wi-fi charging speeds for the Pixel 9 lineup, it’s now “not obtainable” from the Google Retailer. The obvious discontinuation comes after the Pixel Stand 2 was discovered to be incompatible with the Pixel 9 Professional Fold as a result of placement of its charging coils.
As of Thursday, Sept. 5, individuals who tried to buy a second-generation Pixel Stand from the Google Retailer discovered that the “add to cart” button was greyed out (by way of 9to5Google). Different components of the Google Retailer present that the product is “not obtainable” or redirects to the shop’s homepage. The Pixel Stand 2 remains to be obtainable at third-party retailers, like Finest Purchase, as of Sept. 8. Nonetheless, it’s unclear how lengthy retail inventory will final or whether or not new inventory will change into obtainable when current stock runs out.
The Pixel Stand 2 has been obtainable for buy since 2021, however issues have gotten difficult because the Google Pixel lineup continued to broaden. It’ll work with most Pixel telephones, in addition to choose suitable fashions of Google Pixel Buds. Nonetheless, all the state of affairs turned finicky with the discharge of the unique Pixel Fold final 12 months. It solely supported 7.5W of wi-fi charging, even when paired with the Pixel Stand 2.
Issues in some way received worse with the discharge of the Pixel 9 Professional Fold. It’s higher than the unique Pixel Fold in nearly each means — I’ve been utilizing them side-by-side for a few week and may’t consider this can be a generational leap. Nonetheless, the Pixel 9 Professional Fold is incompatible with the Pixel Stand 2 outright. Whereas most Pixel units have centered wi-fi charging coils, the coils on the Pixel 9 Professional Fold are positioned decrease. Because of this, with out developing with a janky resolution, the $1,800 Pixel 9 Professional Fold received’t work with the $80 Pixel Stand 2.
This improvement is disappointing as Google continues marching towards an entire ecosystem that may rival the likes of Apple and Samsung. Nonetheless, folks nonetheless use the Pixel Stand 2 for a lot of causes, together with reliability and fast-charging assist for many Pixel telephones. Nonetheless, the dearth of assist for the Pixel 9 Professional Fold and Pixel Watches has left some potential patrons and present Pixel Stand 2 house owners dissatisfied.
That leads us to the current. Whereas the Pixel Stand 2 was obtainable for buy alongside the discharge of all the Pixel 9 sequence, it’s now “not obtainable.” The timing is unusual, to say the least. It’s attainable that Google noticed the combined response to the growing old Pixel Stand 2’s compatibility considerations and determined to drag it altogether. If there was a Pixel Stand 3 prepared and ready, you’d suppose we might’ve seen it at August’s launch occasion. In any case, the Pixel Buds Professional 2 had been showcased there and received’t be obtainable till Sept. 26.
Android Central reached out to Google in regards to the Pixel Stand 2’s availability and the potential for a successor, however didn’t hear again in time for publication. We’ll replace this text with extra data if we obtain a response.
Why I’m skeptical we’ll see one other Pixel Stand
Because of the incompatibility of the Pixel 9 Professional Fold with the Pixel Stand 2, I’ll admit that I’m shocked we didn’t see a redesigned Pixel Stand 3 arrive eventually month’s Made by Google occasion. The truth that a successor didn’t arrive alongside the Pixel 9 sequence and the way the Pixel Stand 2 was seemingly discontinued quietly doesn’t give me a lot hope that we’ll see one other Pixel Stand. I hope to be mistaken as a result of the Pixel Stand 2 was one of many higher first-party chargers on the market, due to its elegant look and distinctive software program options.
The opposite cause why I’m uncertain we’ll get a Pixel Stand 3 is because of how giant the Pixel lineup has change into. When the second-generation Pixel Stand first debuted, Google solely offered a number of very comparable cellphone fashions annually. Now, the Pixel lineup is huge. Google launched 4 telephones final month alone, and the Google Pixel 9a is presumably nonetheless on the way in which. 5 telephones per 12 months, a number of pairs of earbuds, a pill, and two smartwatches make the Pixel lineup robust to cowl with a single charging accent.
The various sizes and type elements within the Pixel household at present make it laborious for a single charging stand to suit all of them. Somewhat than providing a charging stand, I’m wondering if a charging pad may very well be within the works. Samsung does that with a few of its wi-fi chargers, and it implies that a wide range of telephones, earbuds, and different merchandise can cost comfortably—whatever the precise placement of their charging coils.
Nonetheless, I do know there are so much of people that love the Pixel Stand, so there’s actually a marketplace for the Pixel Stand 3 if Google can work out a few of the kinks.
