Belkin's Qi2 25W Wireless Charger Outsmarts Google's - Kickstand, Cooling & More for Pixel 10

Key Facts:

• Belkin’s New Qi2 Charger: Belkin unveiled an “UltraCharge Magnetic Charger 25W” – a Qi2.2-certified wireless charging puck that supports up to 25W output for compatible devices 9to5google.com. It’s tailor-made for Google’s Pixel 10 series (especially the Pixel 10 Pro XL) and features a built-in fold-out kickstand 9to5google.com.
• Beats Google at Same Price: Priced around $39.99 – the same as Google’s own Pixelsnap wireless charger – Belkin’s Qi2 puck adds extra value. It includes the kickstand (versus Google’s $30 add-on for a stand) 9to5google.com, a longer 6.6 ft (2m) integrated USB-C cable (double the length of Google’s) 9to5google.com, and Belkin’s “ChillBoost” passive cooling to reduce heat during charging 9to5google.com. It’s made from 75% recycled materials and backed by a $2,500 connected equipment warranty 9to5google.com.
• Charging Performance: Delivers full 25W wireless charging on the Pixel 10 Pro XL, matching wired speeds 9to5google.com. Other Qi2 devices (Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro Fold, etc.) charge at up to 15W blog.google. Also supports the latest iPhone 16 models at 25W with Qi2 (once updated to iOS 26) – charging an iPhone from 0 to 50% in ~30 minutes, comparable to Apple’s own MagSafe charger macrumors.com.
• Pixel 10 Compatibility: Built for Google’s Pixelsnap magnetic system (Qi2). The Pixel 10 series natively supports Qi2 wireless charging with built-in magnets, meaning the Belkin charger snaps securely to Pixel 10 devices just like MagSafe blog.google. Pixel 10 Pro XL is currently the only phone that can take full advantage of 25W Qi2 charging wired.com wired.com.
• Why Qi2 Matters: Qi2 is the new standard that adds MagSafe-style magnetic alignment to Qi wireless charging, improving efficiency and max power. Standard Qi2 charging is 15W, but the latest Qi2.2 (branded “Qi2 25W”) raises speeds to 25W for supported devices wired.com wired.com. This means faster, more reliable wireless charging and cross-platform accessory compatibility (use the same magnetic charger for Pixel and iPhone) blog.google.
• Availability (U.S.): Belkin’s 25W UltraCharge Magnetic Charger is expected to launch in the U.S. in late 2025 (November/December), with a price tag in the $30–$40 range theverge.com. It will hit other regions earlier (as soon as October) theverge.com. U.S. customers will be able to buy it via Belkin’s site, Amazon, and retailers once available. Google’s Pixelsnap charger is already on sale (launched late August 2025) via the Google Store, Best Buy, etc., at $39.99 for the puck alone or ~$69.99 with the stand bundle.
• Early Impressions: Tech reviewers are impressed by Belkin’s added features. The Verge notes that Belkin’s Qi2 puck “has some tricks that Apple and Google’s pucks lack,” highlighting the collapsible ring kickstand and cooling features theverge.com. By contrast, Google’s own charger has drawn mixed reviews – Tom’s Guide called the Pixelsnap stand “a major disappointment,” criticizing its simplistic design and excessive heat output during use tomsguide.com tomsguide.com. Belkin’s cooling tech is aimed squarely at solving that heat problem 9to5google.com.

Belkin’s Qi2 25W Charger – Overview and Features

Belkin’s newly announced UltraCharge Magnetic Charger 25W is a compact wireless charging puck built on the Qi2 standard. Revealed at IFA 2025, it represents one of the first Qi2.2 certified chargers capable of 25W wireless charging 9to5google.com. In plain terms, this is a MagSafe-style charger that magnetically snaps to the back of your device for perfectly aligned, efficient wireless charging blog.google. It’s designed as a versatile 3-in-1 accessory: a charger, a kickstand, and even a finger grip in one.

Design & Kickstand: The charger is a sleek puck (available in black or white finishes theverge.com) with a collapsible ring-shaped stand on the back theverge.com. When flipped out, this ring acts as a kickstand, propping your phone at an angle – great for watching videos or making video calls while charging. Belkin cleverly dual-purposed the ring: you can also slip your finger through it and use it like a magnetic pop-socket grip for extra security when holding the phone theverge.com. This is a unique twist that you won’t find on Google’s or Apple’s official charging pucks theverge.com. The build quality is robust, and despite the movable parts, the unit remains slim and portable for travel.

Cooling – “ChillBoost”: Wireless charging can generate a lot of heat, which can slow charging and degrade battery health. Belkin addresses this with its proprietary ChillBoost passive cooling system 9to5google.com. While Belkin hasn’t divulged the technical specifics, the idea is that the charger’s design helps dissipate heat for “optimal performance and battery protection” theverge.com. In practice, this could mean the charger uses materials or internal structure to draw heat away, without needing a noisy fan. This is a welcome feature – Google’s Pixelsnap charger notably tends to run very hot in use (one reviewer called its heat a “fatal flaw” tomsguide.com), so Belkin’s cooler operation could prolong your phone’s battery lifespan during daily top-ups.

Charging Specs: As the name suggests, this Belkin puck supports up to 25W wireless charging output under the Qi2.2.1 spec (branded as “Qi2 25W”). That full 25W speed will primarily benefit the Pixel 10 Pro XL, since it’s currently the only phone on the market with Qi2 25W capability wired.com wired.com. With a Pixel 10 Pro XL, Belkin’s charger can deliver wired-like charging speeds – Google claims 0–50% in ~30 minutes wirelessly macrumors.com, which Belkin’s charger should be able to replicate on that device. For other Qi2 phones (which max out at 15W), the charger will output 15W – still fast and on par with typical wired adapters for many phones. It’s fully backward-compatible, so it will charge older Qi devices (or non-Qi2 phones) at their top supported speed as well wired.com wired.com.

Crucially, the UltraCharge 25W is Qi-certified, meaning it meets the Wireless Power Consortium’s standards for safety and magnet alignment. It will snap perfectly onto any Qi2-compatible phone (like Pixel 10 or iPhone with MagSafe) and align the coils for maximum efficiency blog.google. Alignment means less energy wasted as heat and more consistent speeds. The magnets in the Belkin charger are strong enough to hold the phone securely – you can even pick up the phone by the charger ring without it detaching, according to Belkin’s demos.

Cable and Power: Belkin clearly paid attention to user convenience by including an extra-long cable. The charger has a built-in 6.6-foot (2m) USB-C cable theverge.com – double the length of Google’s Pixelsnap cable (which is only 3.3 ft). That gives you more flexibility to use your phone while it’s charging on the stand, or to reach distant outlets. The fixed cable design means you can’t swap it out, but 2m should suffice for most scenarios. (By comparison, Apple only recently started offering a 2m MagSafe charger option; previously 1m was standard theverge.com.) Do note that no wall adapter is included with Belkin’s charger (common for wireless pads). You’ll want to pair it with a 20W or higher USB-C PD adapter to get full 15W speeds, or a 35W+ adapter to enable the full 25W charging for a Pixel 10 Pro XL store.google.com store.google.com. Belkin sells compatible adapters separately, or you can use Google’s 30W/45W chargers or any PD charger meeting the power requirement.

Materials & Warranty: Belkin touts that the UltraCharge charger is built with 75% recycled plastics 9to5google.com, aligning with eco-friendly trends. It also carries Belkin’s standard $2,500 Connected Equipment Warranty 9to5google.com, which means if a device is damaged due to a malfunction of the charger, Belkin will cover repairs up to that amount. This kind of warranty is a nice peace-of-mind bonus that you don’t get with Google’s or most third-party chargers.

In summary, Belkin’s Qi2 25W charger is feature-packed: a strong magnetic attachment, multi-function kickstand, cooling design, long cable, and robust charging capabilities. All of this comes at a price equal to Google’s simpler offering, making it an appealing accessory especially for Pixel owners.

Belkin vs Google’s Pixel 10 Charger (Pixelsnap): Performance, Price & Value

Google launched its own first-party Qi2 charger alongside the Pixel 10 series – known as the Pixelsnap Charger. Let’s see how Belkin’s newcomer stacks up against Google’s official option:

• Charging Speed & Tech: Both Belkin and Google’s chargers are Qi2-certified and support the full 25W wireless charging profile for the Pixel 10 Pro XL blog.google. In terms of raw performance, neither has an edge here – if you put a Pixel 10 Pro XL on either pad with a sufficient power adapter, it should fast-charge at roughly the same rate. For the regular Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro (non-XL), both chargers will deliver up to 15W (since those phones don’t support 25W Qi2) tomsguide.com. In day-to-day use, expect similar charging times from Belkin’s puck and the Pixelsnap for a given device. Both are also backwards-compatible with older Qi devices (charging them at standard 5W/10W rates as applicable).
• Design & Features: Here’s where Belkin pulls ahead. Google’s Pixelsnap is a fairly basic magnetic charging puck – essentially Google’s take on Apple’s MagSafe Charger. By itself, the Pixel charger is just a flat round pad with a short cable attached. Google does offer an optional Pixelsnap Stand, but it’s literally a plastic stand piece that you insert the charger into – and it’s sold for an extra $30 9to5google.com. Even then, the Google stand doesn’t add any tech of its own (no additional cooling or ports), and the puck can be removed from it for portable use. Reviewers were underwhelmed by this approach; Tom’s Guide remarked that the Pixelsnap Stand is “more like a removable case for [the] charger, and not a standalone charging stand the way the old Pixel Stands were,” calling the combo a letdown in comparison to past Pixel wireless docks tomsguide.com tomsguide.com. In contrast, Belkin’s charger has the stand functionality built-in via the flip-out ring, at no extra cost 9to5google.com. You don’t need to buy a separate accessory or juggle two pieces; Belkin’s kickstand is always there when you need it and folds flush when you don’t. Additionally, Belkin’s ring can serve as a finger grip, a use-case Google’s solution doesn’t accommodate at all.
• Cooling: Another big differentiator is thermal management. Google’s Pixelsnap charger (and stand) lack any cooling features, and it has been noted to run hot. In testing, the Pixel charger made devices “pretty hot pretty quickly,” even with perfect alignment – heat was a noticeable issue across Pixel 10, Pixel 9, and iPhone devices on it tomsguide.com. This can be concerning, since excess heat can slow charging speed and wear down your battery over time. Belkin clearly targeted this pain point by adding the ChillBoost passive cooling. While we’ll need real-world tests to quantify its impact, Belkin’s claim of reduced heat suggests it should charge cooler than Google’s pad 9to5google.com. If you plan to use wireless charging frequently or for long sessions (e.g. overnight or on a desk while watching media), the cooler operation of Belkin’s charger could be healthier for your phone’s battery and more comfortable to the touch.
• Cable Length: Belkin wins on convenience here. The Pixelsnap charger comes with an integrated cable reportedly around 1m (3.3 ft) long (the Google Store specs list a 1m cable) store.google.com. That can feel limiting – if your wall outlet isn’t close by, or you want to use the phone while charging on a stand, 3 feet doesn’t go far. Belkin gives a 2m (6.6 ft) cable 9to5google.com, providing much more leeway to route the cable or use your device as it charges. Both cables are non-detachable, but Belkin simply gives you more length out of the box.
• Included Accessories: Neither product includes a USB-C power adapter in the base package. Google at least sells a bundle of the Pixelsnap with Stand that includes a 30W adapter in some markets, but if you buy the puck alone for $39.99, you’ll have to supply your own charging brick. Same with Belkin’s $39.99 charger – budget an extra ~$20 if you need a high-wattage USB-C PD adapter (Belkin and Google both offer 30W+ chargers separately, or you can use any good third-party PD adapter). On the plus side, Qi2 being a standard means you don’t have to use Google’s charger to get fast wireless charging on Pixel 10 – any Qi2 pad with sufficient wattage (like Belkin’s) will do.
• Build & Aesthetics: This is more subjective. Google’s Pixelsnap charger has a two-tone design (the puck is a soft grey “Fog” color with a white stand in the bundle) store.google.com, matching the Pixel design language. It’s minimal and clean. Belkin’s charger in black or white is similarly modern-looking, albeit with the ring hinge adding a slight visual complexity. Both should look fine on a desk or nightstand. One thing to note: the Pixelsnap stand combo is quite heavy – around 14 ounces total with the puck, according to Tom’s Guide tomsguide.com, since the stand base is weighted to support a phone. Belkin’s puck by itself will be much lighter and more travel-friendly, which might appeal if you want a charger to toss in your bag.
• Price & Value: Both are $39.99 (for Google’s puck alone and Belkin’s charger). However, Google’s solution can effectively cost more if you want the stand functionality – the Pixelsnap Charger with Stand bundle is about $69.99 (the stand accessory adding ~$30) 9to5google.com. Belkin gives you the stand for “free” in the $39.99 package. Considering the added features (kickstand, cooling, longer cord) at the same price, Belkin’s charger arguably delivers better value for most users. You’re getting more utility without paying extra. The only advantage to Google’s charger might be if you prefer an official accessory with Google’s design, or if you specifically want a heavy dock that stays on your desk (the Belkin’s lightweight nature means if you use the ring as a viewing stand, you’ll want to place it on a flat surface; it’s not a weighted dock).

In summary, Belkin’s Qi2 charger appears to outshine Google’s first-party charger on almost every front except they tie on pure charging speed. It’s a rare case where a third-party accessory not only matches the OEM’s offering but adds more features for the same cost. As 9to5Google put it, Belkin’s new charger “looks better for Pixel 10 than Google’s for the same price,” thanks to those extra tricks 9to5google.com 9to5google.com. Unless you have a specific loyalty to Google’s hardware, the Belkin charger is likely the more versatile and user-friendly pick for Pixel 10 owners seeking to take full advantage of Qi2 wireless charging.

Comparing to Other Competitors (Anker, Spigen, Nomad & More)

Belkin isn’t alone in jumping on the Qi2 bandwagon. A number of accessory makers have rolled out Qi2 wireless chargers in late 2024 and 2025, especially with Apple’s iPhone 15/16 and Google’s Pixel 10 adopting the standard. Here’s how Belkin’s 25W puck stacks up against some notable competitors:

• Anker: Anker is a well-known brand in charging, and they’ve released several Qi2 chargers. Their mainstream products right now focus on 15W Qi2 charging pads, which target the mass market (since most Qi2 devices apart from Pixel 10 Pro XL and iPhone 16 can only use 15W). For example, Anker’s MagGo Qi2 Certified 15W Wireless Charger (a simple magnetic puck) sells for around $23 and even includes a wall adapter theverge.com. It has a 5ft cable and comes in black or white variants theverge.com theverge.com. Reviews highlight it as a great value basic charger – significantly cheaper than Apple’s or Google’s pucks. The Verge named it the “best Qi2 charging puck overall” for offering essentially the same 15W MagSafe-aligned charging at a fraction of the cost theverge.com theverge.com. However, the Anker 15W puck cannot take advantage of the full 25W speeds for Pixel 10 Pro XL or future devices – it tops out at 15W. If you only have a Pixel 10 (standard/Pro) or older iPhone, that limitation may not matter, but it does mean the Belkin’s 25W capability is more future-proof and ready for the higher wireless speeds of devices like Pixel 10 Pro XL and iPhone 16. Anker is addressing the high-end too: at IFA 2025 they unveiled an advanced Anker Prime 3-in-1 Station that supports 25W Qi2.2 charging for Pixel 10 Pro XL, with a built-in cooling fan and even a display, but that device is a $230 premium dock – a different category altogether androidauthority.com androidauthority.com. In the single-puck arena, Belkin’s $39.99 offering with 25W support slots in between the ultra-budget 15W pads (like Anker’s $23 one) and the super-premium multi-device stands.
• Spigen: Spigen has entered the Qi2 space as well, focusing on cooling. Their OneTap Pro 3 (CryoMax) Qi2 Wireless Charger is a 15W magnetic charger that notably integrates a cooling fan and a “sleep-friendly” smart LED for nighttime use amazon.com. It’s essentially aimed at iPhone MagSafe users and Pixel users who want no heat and no bright lights during charging. Spigen’s comes with a kickstand-style design too (they even have a version with a built-in foldable kickstand, similar in idea to Belkin’s ring). The cooling fan actively dissipates heat, which might keep devices even cooler than Belkin’s passive approach – but fans can add noise and bulk. Price-wise, Spigen’s CryoMax chargers have been seen around the $40-$50 range online. Spigen’s solution maxes out at 15W as well (sufficient for Pixel 10 non-XL). If Spigen releases a 25W version in the future, it could challenge Belkin, but for now Belkin’s puck has the edge for Pixel 10 Pro XL owners due to that higher wattage. Still, it’s good to see Spigen emphasizing cooling – a sign that thermal issues with wireless charging are widely acknowledged.
• Nomad: Nomad Goods, known for their premium Apple accessories, has also launched Qi2 chargers – typically with luxurious designs (metal and glass builds) and multi-device functionality. For instance, Nomad’s Base One Max 3rd Gen is being advertised as a Qi2 charging base that can fast-charge an iPhone and also charge an Apple Watch and AirPods simultaneously nomadgoods.com. Nomad’s style is more about a fixed desk charger; their products often have a heavier, non-portable form factor but exude quality. They are also priced at a premium (e.g. $130 for a multi-device station). Nomad’s chargers usually stick to the standard Qi2 15W spec for now (the use case being mostly iPhones, which only just got 25W support with iOS updates). If you’re deep in Apple’s ecosystem or want a chic looking dock, Nomad is appealing, but Pixel users might find Belkin’s charger more practical for daily use – especially since Belkin’s works as a travel-friendly puck or on a desk, whereas Nomad’s are more like furniture. It’s worth noting Nomad has confirmed it will support Qi2 in its product line wired.com, so we can expect their next iterations to fully embrace 25W and Pixel compatibility as well.
• Other Brands: Beyond the big names above, many brands are riding the Qi2 wave. Mophie, another well-known accessory maker, has Qi2 chargers and battery packs coming out wired.com. Aukey showed off a creative Qi2 charging dock with detachable magnetic battery “spheres” at IFA (an innovative spin on modular charging) 9to5google.com. Ugreen released a MagFlow Qi2 foldable 2-in-1 station targeting iPhone/Pixel combos. Even Samsung has its own 15W Qi2 chargers (though Samsung’s phones are Qi2-ready via cases rather than built-in magnets) wired.com wired.com. In general, most current Qi2 chargers (aside from Belkin’s new lineup and that high-end Anker station) top out at 15W, since the industry is just transitioning to the higher 25W profile now. Belkin actually launched an entire Qi2 25W certified collection, including the 2-in-1 and 3-in-1 chargers for Apple/Google devices 9to5google.com macrumors.com. These include a foldable 2-in-1 stand ($59.99) for phone + buds 9to5google.com 9to5google.com and a couple of 3-in-1 docks ($99.99 and $129.99) with spots for phone, earbuds, and smartwatch macrumors.com – all of which support the 25W Qi2 speeds. Belkin’s single puck at ~$39.99 is actually one of the most affordable Qi2 25W chargers announced, since others tend to be multi-device or premium units. This gives Belkin a nice position in the market for Pixel users: if you want full 25W wireless speed without splurging on a large dock, Belkin’s UltraCharge puck is one of your best bets in late 2025.

In comparing Belkin to these competitors, a few things stand out:

• Value and Niche: Belkin is balancing between budget and premium. It’s costlier than ultra-basic 15W pads (like Anker’s $23) but far cheaper than fancy 3-in-1 stands. For someone with a Pixel 10 (or iPhone 16) who wants to maximize charging speed and get a couple of extra features (stand, cooling) without spending over $50, Belkin hits a sweet spot. Anker’s cheap pad is great value, but gives up the stand and cooling; premium stations offer those and more but cost 2–3x as much.
• Portability: Belkin’s puck and Anker’s small pads are travel-friendly. In contrast, 3-in-1 stands from Nomad, Satechi, or Anker’s Prime line are more meant for a fixed location. If you want something you can use at home and toss in your bag for trips, Belkin (or a similar puck) is the way to go.
• Cooling vs No Cooling: Belkin and Spigen are highlighting cooling solutions. Many other 15W chargers (including Apple’s basic MagSafe or Anker’s) do not actively address heat. If you’ve ever picked up your phone from a wireless charger and found it toasty, you’ll appreciate why this matters. Belkin’s passive approach is silent and maintenance-free; Spigen’s active fan might cool more but introduces moving parts and noise. Time and user testing will tell which approach is more effective/desired, but Belkin’s decision to include any cooling consideration at all is a plus over many rivals.

Ultimately, competition in the Qi2 charger space is heating up (no pun intended). Belkin’s long history in mobile accessories and its early adoption of the full 25W spec give it an edge to be a popular choice, especially in the Pixel and Android community that now finally has MagSafe-like chargers. And with Google’s own option being underwhelming to some, Belkin has an opportunity to become the go-to charger for new Pixel owners in the way that, say, Anker often is for general-purpose chargers.

The Significance of Qi2 Wireless Charging (and What Makes it Different)

To fully appreciate Belkin’s 25W charger (and the Pixel 10’s use of it), it’s worth exploring Qi2 – the next-generation wireless charging standard that’s making all this possible.

Qi vs Qi2: “Qi” (pronounced chee) is the longstanding standard for wireless charging supported by virtually all phones and gadgets with wireless charging in the past decade. Qi2 is its evolution, introduced by the Wireless Power Consortium in 2023 to solve key shortcomings of Qi wired.com wired.com. The headline improvement in Qi2 is the addition of the Magnetic Power Profile (MPP) – essentially building MagSafe magnetic alignment into the standard wired.com. Under Qi2, chargers and devices have to include a ring of magnets that snap together, ensuring the charging coils are perfectly aligned every time wired.com. No more fiddling to find the “sweet spot” on a wireless pad or waking up to find your phone didn’t charge because it was slightly off-center. Qi2 makes wireless charging more foolproof – the device just clicks into place.

MagSafe Compatibility: Since Apple was part of developing Qi2, the magnetic arrangement is basically the same as MagSafe. This means Qi2 chargers (like Belkin’s) are cross-compatible with iPhones and vice versa blog.google. We’re seeing a unification: a Pixel 10 can attach to an Apple MagSafe charger and get up to 15W, and an iPhone 15/16 can attach to a Qi2 charger like Belkin’s and charge at 15W (or 25W on iPhone 16 with iOS 26) macrumors.com macrumors.com. The ecosystems are no longer fragmented – one magnetic wireless charger can serve them all. This is a big deal for consumers, as it opens up much wider accessory choices regardless of phone brand.

Faster Charging – Qi2 25W: The original Qi standard (and Qi2’s initial implementation) topped out around 15W for most devices (Apple even limited Qi charging to 7.5W on pre-MagSafe iPhones). Qi2 introduces the option for higher power. The Qi2.2.1 specification, officially branded as “Qi2 25W,” allows certified devices to charge at 25W wirelessly wired.com wired.com. The Wireless Power Consortium actually designed it with headroom up to 50W in the spec, but 25W is the practical limit they’re rolling out now wired.com. Google’s Pixel 10 Pro XL is the very first Android phone to support Qi2 25W charging wired.com wired.com, putting it at the bleeding edge. Apple’s iPhone 16 series, with a software update (iOS 26), also enables 25W Qi2 charging macrumors.com macrumors.com. For users, this means wireless charging is catching up to wired speeds. For instance, Pixel 10 Pro XL can do ~50% in 30 minutes on a 25W wireless charger macrumors.com, which used to be unheard of for wireless. This shrinks the gap where wireless was always slower than plugging in – it’s now much more feasible to rely on wireless charging daily without sacrificing speed.

Efficiency and Battery Care: Qi2’s perfect alignment doesn’t just improve speed – it also improves efficiency, meaning less wasted energy and less heat. When coils are misaligned, energy transfers less efficiently and manifests as excess heat. By snapping into the optimal position, Qi2 chargers reduce that loss. So even at the same wattage, a Qi2 charge might run cooler and waste fewer watts than an old Qi pad. Additionally, Qi2 has stricter standards for communication between charger and device to manage the charging process smartly. The battery protection angle (which Belkin mentions in its marketing theverge.com) is likely referring to the idea that cooler, more precise charging is gentler on your battery’s health over time.

Backward and Forward Compatibility: Qi2 is fully backward-compatible with Qi. You can put your old Qi phone (say a Galaxy S22 or Pixel 7) on a Qi2 charger like Belkin’s and it will charge (just at the older standard’s speed) wired.com. Likewise, you could use an old Qi charger to charge a Qi2 phone, but with a caveat: it will charge, but possibly not as consistently. Some early Qi2 phones had quirks with older chargers (Wired noted one Qi2 phone that didn’t work with some legacy pads wired.com wired.com), but generally the baseline compatibility is intended. Importantly, Qi2 devices that support 25W will still charge at 15W on regular Qi2 or Qi pads, and Qi2 chargers will drop to lower wattage for non-Qi2 devices wired.com wired.com. Everything plays nicely together, just at the best mutually supported speed.

Qi2-Ready vs Full Qi2: Not all 2025 phones jumped fully on board. Samsung’s Galaxy S25, for example, launched as “Qi2-Ready,” meaning it has Qi charging and can be upgraded with a magnetic case to mimic Qi2 wired.com wired.com. They lacked built-in magnets, likely due to design cycle timing. Google’s Pixel 10 family was the first Android line to fully embrace Qi2 from day one blog.google, which is significant. It suggests Google sees the future in a magnetic accessory ecosystem similar to Apple’s. Indeed, Google rolled out not just the charger but also Pixelsnap cases and ring stands to build that ecosystem blog.google blog.google. Qi2 paves the way for all sorts of magnetic attachments (car mounts, battery packs, wallets) that can work interchangeably between phones – a win for consumers and accessory makers.

In short, Qi2 is the “wireless charging 2.0” we’ve been waiting for – faster, smarter, and finally standardized across iPhones and Androids. Belkin’s charger capitalizes on Qi2’s benefits: it offers the speed (25W), the alignment (magnetic snap), and mitigates the downsides (heat) to deliver a next-gen charging experience. If you’re upgrading to a Pixel 10 or iPhone 16, investing in a Qi2 charger like this is how you’ll get the most out of your device’s new capabilities. As Wired put it, the WPC hopes Qi2 will “finally provide the universal global standard we have been waiting for” wired.com – and with major players like Belkin, Anker, and others rolling out Qi2 products, it’s fast becoming a reality.

Pricing, Availability & How to Buy in the U.S.

Belkin’s UltraCharge Magnetic Wireless Charger 25W was officially announced on September 4, 2025, and is slated to hit the market soon. Here’s what we know about getting your hands on one in the U.S.:

• Price: Belkin has indicated the U.S. price will be in the range of $29.99 to $39.99, and most likely it will land at $39.99 MSRP theverge.com. (In Europe and other regions launching in October, the price will likely be similar equivalent.) This pricing directly matches Google’s Pixelsnap charger (which is $39.99), underlining Belkin’s competitive aim. Considering the added features Belkin includes at that price, it’s an aggressive value play.
• Release Date: The charger will launch first in select regions in October 2025 theverge.com. For the U.S., Belkin stated it’s coming a bit later – sometime in November or December 2025 theverge.com. So U.S. customers might have to wait a few extra weeks beyond the initial IFA debut. This timing aligns with the holiday season, so it could be a popular tech gift or accessory purchase at year’s end.
• Where to Buy: Once available, you can expect to buy the Belkin 25W Qi2 charger through multiple channels:
  • Belkin’s Official Website: Belkin typically sells new products on their site (Belkin.com) with shipping in the U.S. They sometimes offer bundle deals (e.g., charger + adapter).
  • Major Retailers: Stores like Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Target etc., often carry Belkin accessories. In fact, Belkin has confirmed availability via Amazon and other retailers for its Qi2 products 9to5google.com. So you should be able to order it online or pick up in electronics stores once it’s in stock.
  • Carrier or Phone Stores: Occasionally, accessories launch in carrier stores or alongside phones. Given this charger’s positioning as perfect for Pixel 10, it wouldn’t be surprising if Google’s own online store or the Google Fi store lists it as a recommended accessory, even though it’s third-party. Keep an eye on the Google Store accessories section – they sometimes carry partner products (though nothing confirmed yet).
• Google’s Charger Availability: For reference, if you need a Qi2 charger right now and don’t want to wait, Google’s Pixelsnap Charger is already available. It launched with Pixel 10 in late August 2025. You can buy it from the Google Store or retailers like Best Buy and Amazon (the Pixel charger is listed there) at $39.99 for the puck or $79.99 for the bundle with stand and a 30W adapter (prices may vary slightly by retailer) bestbuy.com. However, as we’ve discussed, you might end up wanting Belkin’s for the added features. If you can hold off until Belkin’s release, it could be worth the wait.
• Other Third-Party Options Now: If you’re shopping in the interim, some Qi2 chargers from other brands are already on sale:
  • Anker’s 15W Qi2 MagGo pad (~$23) on Amazon (great for 15W needs, includes adapter).
  • Spigen’s Qi2 15W cooling charger (around $45) via Amazon or Spigen’s site.
  • Apple’s official MagSafe (2m cable version) – Qi2 compatible and does 25W on iPhone 16 – is available for ~$43 theverge.com theverge.com, though it only does 15W on Pixel.
  • Early adopters with Pixel 10 Pro XL should ensure any charger they buy explicitly states support for Qi2.2 25W if they want the full 25W speed. Otherwise, it will default to 15W. Belkin’s charger is among the first with that certification.
• Warranty and Support: Belkin products usually come with at least a 1-year warranty (sometimes more). The connected equipment warranty ($2,500 coverage) also applies as mentioned 9to5google.com. If buying from third-party sellers or marketplaces, ensure it’s an authorized Belkin product to honor those warranties.

In summary, U.S. consumers should mark their calendars for November/December 2025 to grab Belkin’s new charger at around $39.99. It will be widely accessible online. Given the buzz and the fact that Pixel 10 users are actively seeking better chargers, it might even sell quickly at launch – so staying tuned to tech news or Belkin’s sign-up notifications could be wise. 9to5Google and other outlets will likely report when it officially hits shelves.

Bottom Line: Belkin’s UltraCharge Qi2 25W wireless charger is shaping up to be one of the best charging accessories for the Pixel 10 generation and beyond. It takes full advantage of the new Qi2 standard to deliver fast charging speeds and seamless magnetic alignment, and it addresses real-world concerns like heat and usability that early Pixel 10 charger users have encountered. For the same price as the basic Google charger, Belkin adds a lot of thoughtful extras – making it a compelling choice for Pixel fans and anyone entering the Qi2 wireless charging era. With Qi2 poised to become the universal wireless charging solution across Android and iPhone, accessories like this Belkin charger show how a bit of innovation (a kickstand here, a cooling feature there) can greatly improve the charging experience. If you’re tired of boring wireless pads, Belkin just made charging a bit more interesting – and Pixel 10 owners in particular have a lot to gain.

Sources:

• Schoon, Ben. 9to5Google – “Belkin’s new Qi2 25W charger looks better for Pixel 10 than Google’s for the same price” 9to5google.com 9to5google.com 9to5google.com. (News of Belkin’s charger launch, specs and features at IFA 2025)
• Weatherbed, Jess. The Verge – “This Belkin Qi2 charging puck comes with a kickstand and cooling” theverge.com theverge.com theverge.com. (IFA 2025 coverage, details on design, cooling, availability and pricing)
• Pritchard, Tom. Tom’s Guide – “I tried the Pixelsnap Qi2 charging stand… it’s a major disappointment” tomsguide.com tomsguide.com. (Review of Google’s Pixel 10 charger, noting 25W support and issues like heat)
• Di Benedetto, Antonio. The Verge – “Best MagSafe and Qi2 chargers for iPhones (and Galaxy S25)” theverge.com theverge.com. (Discussion of Qi2 charger values, citing Anker’s 15W puck vs. 25W needs)
• Google Inc. – Google Blog – “Take a look at the new Qi2 Pixelsnap accessories” blog.google blog.google. (Official introduction of Pixel 10’s Qi2 support and Pixelsnap charger details)
• Hill, Simon. Wired – “What Is Qi2? The Wireless Charging Standard Goes Magnetic” wired.com wired.com. (Explainer on Qi2 and Qi2 25W, Pixel 10 Pro XL being the first 25W phone)
• Rossignol, Joe. MacRumors – “iOS 26 Adds 25W Qi2 Wireless Charging Support to iPhone 16” macrumors.com macrumors.com. (Confirms Qi2 25W on iPhone 16 and Belkin’s Qi2 25W chargers charge iPhone as fast as Apple’s)