The Pixel 2 XL battery doesn't charge rapidly under 20 degrees Celsius

We recently reported about battery issues on the Mi A1 after Oreo update, but seems like it is not alone. Recently, a lot of Pixel 2/Pixel 2 XL users have reported charging issues with their phones. The issues in specific, is about slow charging rates after reaching a certain temperature.

As reported by Android Police, the Google Pixel 2/Pixel 2 XL in low temperatures, claims to be charging quickly (10W+) when it’s actually charging at less than 4W. That means the Google Pixel 2 XL when shows ‘Charging rapidly’, isn’t always charging the phone at that speed.

Users on Google’s forum did some experimenting and found that this issue isn’t consistent. Which was then tested by Android Police, and they found that if the Pixel 2 XL’s battery temperature is below about 20-degree Celsius, the phone pulls only 3-4W instead of pulling maximum charging speed of 18W, which later comes down to 10.5W.

The wall adapter bundled with the Pixel 2 XL has an advertised capacity to charge the phone with 18W of current. According to a report by Nathan K. published by XDA in November 2017, they found no instance where the Pixel 2 XL draws more 18W of current. It starts at 15W in the beginning, but trickles down to slightly more than 10W within a minute. Then it gradually starts slowing down after 50 minutes into the cycle.

Nathan K. says that the reason for slow charging on the Pixel 2 XL is to increase longevity of the battery. By using controlled or slow charging the charging current and temperature is kept under a limit, which puts less strain on the battery.

For its part, Google has told Android Police that the company is investigating changes to the display message, that means you might not see the ‘Charging rapidly’ written on Pixel 2/Pixel 2 XL lock-screen after the forthcoming OTA update.