Pixel 6 Does Charge More Slowly, and It’s on Purpose

Google has confirmed that both the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro charge more slowly than previous models, as a way of helping to improve the lifespan of the battery.

If you use a Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro and think it takes longer than usual to charge, you're not imagining things—the phones really do take longer to reach a full charge. Google states this is an intentional design choice that should improve the battery's overall longevity. So you won't go from zero to 100 percent super fast, but you also likely won't have to replace your phone's power source any time soon.

The way the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro charge involves deliberate throttling of energy absorption based on many factors like the temperature and current charge level.

While both phones have been designed to charge quickly with low power—up to 50 percent in roughly a half-hour—charging slows down as the battery gets closer to 100 percent. It's that gradual reduction that occurs as the battery gets closer to full that helps to improve the battery's lifespan.

It's unlikely that Google will be doing anything to adjust the charging speeds of the Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro, as it's an intentional design decision.

However, according to Google, certain types of chargers or charging cables can charge the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro at a more efficient (i.e., faster) rate. Google's examples include its own 30W USB-C power adapter and its new Pixel Stand, though it doesn't clarify how much faster these options might charge either phone.