The one perk that kept me, over the years, from leaving an iPhone for an Android was MagSafe.
You could replicate it on Android phones with a magnetic case, but at the cost of poor charging speeds and overheating batteries. With the addition of Qi2-powered Pixelsnap tech on the latest Pixel 10 phones, Google has finally brought magnetic wireless charging to Android, and Nomad’s Stand One may be the best accessory to experience it.
When I set my Pixel 10 Pro up, I was excited to prop it up on a magnetic stand on my desk, just like I’ve done for my iPhone for years.
Naturally, I gravitated towards Google’s Pixelsnap Stand, but unfortunately, it left a lot to be desired. It works as a dock for the Pixelsnap charging puck and keeps it upright, but for £64.99/$69.99, the design is in need of serious changes.
I gravitated towards Google’s Pixelsnap Stand, but unfortunately, it left a lot to be desired
Its silicon-like exterior picks up dirt easily, and at 405g, the setup is surprisingly heavy, despite the tech all being concentrated inside the removable puck.
Besides, the Pixelsnap Stand doesn’t look as nice on a desk as the wireless charging station I’ve been using for ages: the Nomad Stand One. Lucky for me, the Stand One now has a new, Qi2 variant.
Why the Nomad Stand One is the best Pixel 10 accessory
The refreshed Stand One overcomes the complaints I had with Google’s counterpart. It’s made out of glass and metal, and looks sleek and not like a prototype 3D-printed in a rush.
I also appreciate how its added weight is uniformly distributed across the body, so that it never wobbles or topples over when you touch the screen. Despite the nicer materials, the Stand One is only slightly heavier, at 575g.
More importantly, the Stand One’s base acts as an additional 5W wireless charging dish, where you can place and top up smaller accessories like wireless earbuds. Therefore, it’s no surprise that most of the time, you’d find my Pixel 10 and Pixel Buds Pro on the Stand One at the same time.
The Nomad Stand One can easily charge your phone and earbuds simultaneously
Shubham Agarwal / Foundry
Another highlight is that the Stand One’s Qi puck pokes out of the chassis, allowing it to dissipate heat better and not become uncomfortably warm, unlike the Pixelsnap Stand. The bundled 2m braided cable is a welcome touch, too.
The only downside to its sturdy design is that its stand’s angle is not adjustable, so you’re stuck at the default 21-degree tilt. To be fair, this is ideal for the majority of scenarios, including video calls.
This is the angle you’ll have to stick with
Shubham Agarwal / Foundry
The Stand One offers Qi2 and MagSafe support, which means it can charge compatible phones at up to 25W speeds, as long as you can power it with at least a 40W adapter (not included).
the Stand One’s Qi puck pokes out of the chassis, allowing it to dissipate heat better and not become uncomfortably warm
Previously, while wirelessly charging my phone, I’d keep Android’s StandBy-like screensaver tool turned off to prevent it from overheating. That’s not been an issue either on the Stand One. If you have an Apple Watch, you can even opt for the bigger 3-in-1 Stand One Max.
Overall, the Nomad Stand One is an excellent Pixel 10 accessory that outclasses Google’s official Pixelsnap Stand. At £99/$119, it’s a little pricier, but undoubtedly worth the extra expense.
Author: Shubham Agarwal, Contributor, Tech Advisor
Shubham Agarwal is a freelance technology journalist from Ahmedabad, India, whose work has appeared in WSJ, Wired, The Verge, and more.