Geekzone: technology news, blogs, forums
Guest
Welcome Guest.
You haven't logged in yet. If you don't have an account you can register now.


ashennz

5 posts

Wannabe Geek


#208347 7-Feb-2017 20:59
Send private message

Hi there! 

 

Before I started to research mobile charging options, USB cables and the like I never new the standards were so all over the place! Learnt a bit.

 

 

 

So many choices and many dubious. 

 

 

 

Keen to know if any other Google Pixel XL owners have been able to source Google Pixel XL chargers (Australian/NZ plugs but doesn't matter if not) which are the authentic Google 18w USB-C chargers?

 

 

 

Searched on the net and can't find anything apart from the Google store options which are unavailable due to location searching from, 

 

 

 

Cheers!

 

Ash.

 

 

 

 


Create new topic
timmmay
20591 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #1716803 7-Feb-2017 21:07
Send private message

Can you charge it with a regular USB charger and a USB A to USB C cable?

 

Getting good cables is tough. I got some ugreen from ebay, they work fine but they don't connect quite right to one of my chargers. I'm not super confident in them. Benson Leung, who works for Google, is the authority on USB C charging, he tests cables and chargers. There are products he approves here and there.

 

If anyone in Wellington makes an Amazon order for a good quality cable let me know, I might get one, but it's not worth ordering just the one. Not many ship direct.




ashennz

5 posts

Wannabe Geek


  #1716853 7-Feb-2017 21:38
Send private message

Thanks for the replies everyone. I thought it might be the case, nothing jumped out at me when I researched. Waiting game I suspect.

 

 

 

Charging with the original charger is definitely quicker than with other USB 2.4a chargers. Originally there was doubt about the Pixel charging at 18w, but it was confirmed the Pixel (non XL) charged at 15w and the Pixel XL charges at 18w. It's made such a difference, if I'm less than diligent a quick charge when I wake up and before I leave for work is more than enough charge for a full day. 

 

 

 

http://www.techtimes.com/articles/184675/20161103/google-pixel-charging-speeds-confirmed-only-pixel-xl-charges-with-18w-pixel-restricted-at-15w.htm

 

 

 

When I bought the Pixel from PB Tech I knew there may be some issues as it is parallel imported, but did so anyway - took the dive! They did include a spare NZ 2.4a charger + usb-c cable with the Pixel which I thought was a nice add - and a jackson travel plug so the original charger worked - nice touch I thought, they didn't need to do that, but I suppose the margins were good enough :0) Good on them anyway.

 

 

 

I'll wait a bit I think. 


afe66
3181 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

  #1716870 7-Feb-2017 21:55
Send private message

My HTC 10 has rapid charger but I must admit that most of the time I charge it using a 1A Adapter and a USB A to C cable slowly overnight as the bigger battery lasts longer than my m7 so I dont need to to rapidly charge over night.

 

I use the rapid charger only if need a quick rapid top up.

 

I bought a Belkin USB A to C charging cable to use as needed at work on the assumption that cost and brand name might help in the short term. Cable nice and thick and physically similar to the one which came with the phone.

 

A.

 

 




timmmay
20591 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #1716957 8-Feb-2017 06:58
Send private message

I have a Huawei P9, which supports rapid charging but doesn't come with a rapid charger. I use the cable that came with it and one of my 2A chargers. Because it's so efficient I only use about 40% of the battery in a day, max, and that charges up to 95% in less than an hour, maybe half an hour. Once it gets up to about 90% it slows the charging a lot, probably to protect the battery.


old3eyes
9120 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

  #1716984 8-Feb-2017 08:48
Send private message

My Motorola G4 Plus comes with a rapid charger pack.. 





Regards,

Old3eyes


sbiddle
30853 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod
Trusted
Biddle Corp
Lifetime subscriber

  #1716990 8-Feb-2017 09:01
Send private message

ashennz:

 

Charging with the original charger is definitely quicker than with other USB 2.4a chargers. Originally there was doubt about the Pixel charging at 18w, but it was confirmed the Pixel (non XL) charged at 15w and the Pixel XL charges at 18w. It's made such a difference, if I'm less than diligent a quick charge when I wake up and before I leave for work is more than enough charge for a full day. 

 

 

 

Most people really don't understand the complexities that are chargers - it's a very confusing space.

 

The reality is if you want high speed charging you need a good charger. I keep hearing people complain about the lack of USB ports in public places and excitement when they see USB ports on a plane, but the vast majority of these ports are totally useless for charging modern devices. Plug a modern QC2.0 or QC3.0 phone into the IFE on Air NZ and it'll struggle to charge at 400mA - plug it into a QC 2.0 or QC 3.0 charger and you'll find your device charges 5-6x quicker.

 

There are also lots of "brand name" chargers out there that are terrible. That's why you can never go wrong buying a proper charging brand such as Anker or Ravpower.

 

UCB-C also introduces complexities in that QC3.0 and USB-C are not one and the same.

 

It's a shame buying quality products in NZ or AU is so difficult. I met the Anker guys in May last year and they seemed to suggest Anker products would be in stores in this part of the world within a few months. It's a shame that hasn't yet happened.

 

 


nzkiwiman
2585 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

  #1717006 8-Feb-2017 09:23
Send private message

I have a 5X and have been importing Anker from the USA to meet my charging requirements (running Pokemon Go all day drains my battery and so I have needed multiple options at home, work and car)

 

Only when using USB-C to USB-C cables can I get "Charging Rapidly", otherwise most charging is reported as "Charging" (when using my Anker battery pack or PowerPort and USB-A to USB-C cables)

 

Thankfully I haven't come across any issues with using "bad" cables that may fry my charging port ...


 
 
 

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).
sidefx
3714 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

  #1717010 8-Feb-2017 09:30
Send private message

nzkiwiman:

 

Only when using USB-C to USB-C cables can I get "Charging Rapidly", otherwise most charging is reported as "Charging" (when using my Anker battery pack or PowerPort and USB-A to USB-C cables)

 

 

 

 

Interesting, I too have a 5X and Anker charger and it reports that it's "Charging rapidly" when I use a spigen (I think) USB3(A) to USB-C cable, and seems to charge just as fast as the charger that came with the phone. 





"I was born not knowing and have had only a little time to change that here and there."         | Octopus Energy | Sharesies
              - Richard Feynman


afe66
3181 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

  #1717092 8-Feb-2017 10:26
Send private message

If I plug my HTC 10 into the rapid charger using the supplied USB A to c cable I get the, "Rapid Charging" notification appear.

A.

nzkiwiman
2585 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

  #1717204 8-Feb-2017 13:59
Send private message

sidefx:

 

nzkiwiman:

 

Only when using USB-C to USB-C cables can I get "Charging Rapidly", otherwise most charging is reported as "Charging" (when using my Anker battery pack or PowerPort and USB-A to USB-C cables)

 

 

 

 

Interesting, I too have a 5X and Anker charger and it reports that it's "Charging rapidly" when I use a spigen (I think) USB3(A) to USB-C cable, and seems to charge just as fast as the charger that came with the phone. 

 

 

I am using "official" USB-A to USB-C cables from Trademe - it is starting to get a very worrisome bend in it
Hopefully my eBay purchased Anker USB-A to USB-C cables (direct from Anker, via YouShop) will be here soon. Just wish I could get a Anker USB-C to USB-C cable .. Amazon is my only option and I don't want to pay postage


fool
19 posts

Geek


  #1724650 22-Feb-2017 18:30
Send private message

I bought my Pixel XL from PB Tech and they included a (rather large) Jackson adapter so I'm getting fast charging with the Google charger and adapter.

 

I'd also love to get my hands on the Google charger for AUS/NZ. If only I could order this: https://store.google.com/product/usb_type_c_18w_power_adapter !

 

 


Create new topic





News and reviews »

Air New Zealand Starts AI adoption with OpenAI
Posted 24-Jul-2025 16:00


eero Pro 7 Review
Posted 23-Jul-2025 12:07


BeeStation Plus Review
Posted 21-Jul-2025 14:21


eero Unveils New Wi-Fi 7 Products in New Zealand
Posted 21-Jul-2025 00:01


WiZ Introduces HDMI Sync Box and other Light Devices
Posted 20-Jul-2025 17:32


RedShield Enhances DDoS and Bot Attack Protection
Posted 20-Jul-2025 17:26


Seagate Ships 30TB Drives
Posted 17-Jul-2025 11:24


Oclean AirPump A10 Water Flosser Review
Posted 13-Jul-2025 11:05


Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7: Raising the Bar for Smartphones
Posted 10-Jul-2025 02:01


Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 Brings New Edge-To-Edge FlexWindow
Posted 10-Jul-2025 02:01


Epson Launches New AM-C550Z WorkForce Enterprise printer
Posted 9-Jul-2025 18:22


Samsung Releases Smart Monitor M9
Posted 9-Jul-2025 17:46


Nearly Half of Older Kiwis Still Write their Passwords on Paper
Posted 9-Jul-2025 08:42


D-Link 4G+ Cat6 Wi-Fi 6 DWR-933M Mobile Hotspot Review
Posted 1-Jul-2025 11:34


Oppo A5 Series Launches With New Levels of Durability
Posted 30-Jun-2025 10:15









Geekzone Live »

Try automatic live updates from Geekzone directly in your browser, without refreshing the page, with Geekzone Live now.



Are you subscribed to our RSS feed? You can download the latest headlines and summaries from our stories directly to your computer or smartphone by using a feed reader.