Robert Triggs / Android Authority
We haven’t had many complaints about Google’s latest Pixel smartphones, however one constant ache the rump has been catatonic charging speeds. 100 agonizing minutes to fill the Pixel 7 and seven Professional actually takes the shine off final yr’s fashions. Fortunately, Google has remedied the scenario for the brand new Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional. No less than considerably.
Utilizing Google’s official 30W charger, we clocked the Pixel 8 from empty to full in 77 minutes and the 8 Professional to full in 79 minutes, versus 100 and 101 minutes final era respectively. That’s nonetheless snail-paced in comparison with the quickest within the business, however shaving over 20 minutes off the cost time nonetheless deserves a pat on the again. Importantly, the Pixel 8, particularly, hits the important thing 50% and 75% milestones a couple of minutes sooner, so that you’re again in your ft if you want it most. See for your self under.
The Pixel 8 fees to full in about 77 minutes, whereas our Pixel 8 Professional hits full in 79 minutes. Each are notably sooner to cost than the Pixel 7 sequence.
A part of the rationale behind sooner charging with the Pixel 8 sequence is their greater peak energy ranges. The Pixel 8 now helps as much as 27W of energy, whereas the Pixel 8 Professional peaks at 30W, in accordance with Google. We didn’t document ranges fairly that top on the telephone’s USB-C port (Google may very well be reporting energy from the plug), however the quantity of energy is actually greater than final yr by 2W or so within the Professional and as much as 5W within the common Pixel 8.
However that’s simply a part of the image; the Pixel 8 sequence additionally fees extra effectively too, significantly the smaller mannequin. Peak energy ranges are sustained for 15 to twenty minutes, relying on temperature, whereas the Pixel 7 noticed a just about flat energy degree for the majority of its cycle. Excessive energy ranges early within the cost cycle allow the telephones to hit a couple of third of their capability faster than earlier than, and there don’t look like any aggressive temperature spikes.
You will need a 30W USB PPS charger this yr to cost the Pixel 8 as rapidly as doable.
Google says that the Pixel 8 requires 27W and the 8 Professional 30W from a appropriate USB Energy Supply PPS plug. We examined the telephones and recorded peak energy of 24.5W and 26.5W, respectively.
The majority of the charging cycle nonetheless happens at round 19W for the common Pixel 8, however this energy degree can also be sustained somewhat longer on the brand new fashions. Pixel 8 charging charges begin declining as soon as the cell hits about 80%, whereas energy charges start to fall at about 72% on the Pixel 7, which explains why the older mannequin takes an age to complete charging. It’s the same scenario with the Professional, however the handset isn’t nearly as good at sustaining energy in the midst of the cycle, which varies between 22W and 18W.
The trade-off for sooner charging is barely greater temperatures. Whereas the Pixel 7 Professional peaked at 36.5°, we clocked the Pixel 8 and eight Professional hovering constantly at 38°c, which coincides with a discount in charging energy as soon as this temperature is reached. With that in thoughts, the Pixel 8 sequence will probably cost quickest when cool and will take longer when used or when charging after demanding classes. Nonetheless, Google ensures a adequate buffer under 40°C, so we’ve got no considerations about overly excessive battery temperatures or longevity right here.
In a nutshell, not solely do the brand new fashions cost at barely greater energy ranges early within the charging cycle, however in addition they look ahead to longer earlier than decreasing energy to complete powering up the battery safely. The web result’s a good enchancment in general Pixel 8 battery cost instances. Good job, Google. In contrast to earlier years, this implies you’ll wish to pick a charger able to supplying 30W to maximise the telephones’ charging speeds. To save lots of you time, we’ve got plucked out a choice of the finest Pixel 8 chargers proper right here.
