On paper, the Pixel 11 Pro XL is the fastest charging phone Google has ever released, thanks to a wired charging connection rated at up to 45W. Google claims the phone can reach 75% in just 30 minutes of charging when paired with a compatible USB-C PPS charger, but achieving those speeds isn’t as simple as just plugging your phone into any charger that’s 45W or higher. Indeed, testing has shown that the Pixel 11 Pro XL actually requires a specific power voltage to reach its maximum charging speeds.
Android Authority found that the Pixel 11 Pro XL was capable of reaching just over 40W when connected to Google’s 67W Pixel Flex charger. The big problem here is that to achieve the charging speed that Google boasts about, you need to use a charger capable of delivering power at 21V via USB Power Delivery PPS. This voltage is important, as testing found that a second 67W PPS charger – with a lower voltage range than the Pixel wants – used during testing only handled around 25W of charging at its peak.
This development makes the Pixel 11 Pro XL surprisingly finicky for a smartphone. A 45W, 65W, or even higher wattage charger can still charge the phone, but it won’t necessarily unlock its fastest wired charging. Having the right USB-C charger is always important to get the fastest speeds. And anyone considering reusing a charger they already own will need to check that it’s the right configuration to support the Pixel 11 Pro XL’s fastest charging speeds.
Having a 45W charger is not enough
Roman Bulatov/Getty Images
The important thing to keep in mind here is PPS, which stands for Programmable Power Supply. This feature essentially allows the phone to request more precise voltage and current combinations from the charger while charging. This is great because many phone chargers require different wattages to work properly, and PPS allows the phone to charge more efficiently without having to worry about overheating and other charging issues. Although several modern USB-C chargers support PPS, that doesn’t necessarily mean they will support the voltage or power required by the Pixel 11 Pro XL.
The good news is that there are chargers that support the voltage required by the phone. Google’s 45W USB-C charger and the new 67W Pixel Flex charger have the 21V PPS profile that the phone needs to reach its maximum charging speeds. You can’t just buy a 45W or higher charger and expect it to charge as quickly as possible, and since Google no longer offers chargers in its boxes, you’ll probably need to buy a compatible charging device.
Even with the right charger, installing your phone charging station in the best location in your home is still as important as it has always been. This helps keep your phone cool while it charges, which can ensure speeds don’t slow down over time.
Is the speed increase really worth it?
Elvard/Shutterstock Project
Even with the right charger, charging the Pixel 11 Pro XL at its maximum speed suddenly isn’t worth the investment. In Android Authority testing, the phone reached 50% in 21 minutes. It then took around 35 minutes to reach 75%, while the full charge cycle took over 70 minutes. For comparison, the Pixel 10 Pro XL takes around 23 minutes to reach 50%, 40 minutes for 75%, then closer to 80 minutes for full charge. So while there is certainly an improvement with the new generation of devices, the actual difference is pretty minimal considering the issues you might have to run into and the extra money you’ll have to spend on a charger.
Ultimately, if you don’t mind hitting higher charging speeds, you can simply use your USB-C charger of choice. However, if you want the fastest speeds on the Pixel 11 Pro XL, then you’ll need to get a charger that supports the specific voltage the phone is looking for.
