I admit: I'm a fan of magnetic phone accessories that add new features and style to my phone.
One of my first Android phones was 2017's Moto Z2 Play. It was from a series of Moto Z phones that touted magnetic accessories called Moto Mods, which included decorative shells, battery packs and -- my favorite -- a JBL speaker attachment that helped boost the audio for music. Moto Mods didn't continue past 2019's Moto Z4.
Now here's the good news: The magnetic accessories developed for Apple's iPhone line could find a new home on Android phones like Google's Pixel 10.
This JBL speaker attachment is my favorite Moto Mod, since it enhanced audio and included a kickstand for my Moto Z2 Play. Josh Miller/CNET
Apple, Google and other companies that form the Wireless Power Consortium have been evolving the open Qi wireless standard to include magnets and faster wireless charging speeds. With the Google Pixel 10, this newer iteration of Qi -- dubbed Qi2.2 -- is getting a broad push across both Apple's iPhone line and Android phones.
Though Google is branding Qi2.2 as PixelSnap, magnetic accessories won't be exclusive to that Android device. And accessories first developed for Apple's MagSafe work perfectly fine on Android devices.
This magnetic ring stand works with the Pixel 10 Pro Fold seen here, but it will also snap right onto any MagSafe-capable iPhone. Mike Sorrentino/CNET
While attending this month's Made by Google Pixel 10 reveal event, I took my MagSafe wallet accessory off my iPhone and snapped it right on the back of a Google Pixel 10 Pro XL. It fit just as securely there as it did on the iPhone. I also quite liked Google's new Pixelsnap Ring Stand, which serves as a kickstand and grip for the Pixel, and I'm tempted to buy it for my iPhone.
Given this kind of cross-platform support, I'd hope to see more Qi2 magnetic accessories come down in price, since they won't necessarily need Apple's MagSafe certification nor a Made for Google badge to work for various devices. Belkin, for instance, just started selling a 2-in-1 Qi2.2 charger with support for 25W wireless charging speeds for $60, whereas its prior MagSafe-certified edition of the stand costs $77.
My personal phone -- an iPhone 12 Pro Max seen here -- easily attaches to Google's PixelSnap charger. Tara Brown/CNET
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