In short: Google’s 2016 Pixel and XL devices appear to have still not received a fix for fast charging issues that prevent the feature from enabling when charging with non-Power Delivery (PD) USB-C and some USB-C PD cables or adapters. The issue only affects those who are running Android 9 Pie and has been affecting users since that update landed with the first reports rolling in around August. While Google did acknowledge the problem and promised an update to fix things, that doesn’t appear to have happened for a large number of users as of yet, who recently took to Reddit to express their displeasure at the fact.
Background: To its credit, Google’s acknowledgment of the issue and its promise of an incoming fix came just days after the problem was reported. The problem also only appears to be affecting a batch of devices built around a range of dates. In either case, it’s now been more than a month since that statement was released and some of those who held on to their original Pixel and Pixel XL devices from 2016 still appear to be facing the problems. That’s causing frustration for those who have either lost or had damaged their original charging cables and adapter. Those cables and adapters do remain functional, activating fast charging protocols and bringing up the appropriate “charging rapidly” UI when plugged into the 2016 Pixel-branded handsets.
Impact: This isn’t the only Pixel problem currently making the rounds either, and Google’s handsets have typically been plagued by at least as many bugs and issues as any other Android handset. More recently, some number of the newer Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL have reportedly not received the September 2018 Android security patch. That’s not necessarily a huge issue but is going to be a problem for those users who buy Google’s branded handsets for security reasons. What’s more, it stacks on top of high-profile problems such as the original Pixel’s Android 9 Pie charging issue. Although obviously not intentional and not present on every handset, widely-reported problems such as these will need to be addressed quickly if the company hopes to maintain a reputation for high-quality hardware and service.