Google says the Pixel 5a is the last Pixel phone that will come with a charging brick, claiming most people already have a USB-C charger
Google says the 5A is the last Pixel phone to include a charging brick — Google is the latest manufacturer to bid farewell to the in-box charging brick …
The VergeAllison Johnson
Context & Ripple Effects
Google had only recently confirmed that the Pixel 5a would reach the US and Japan after cancellation reports, making the device a key continuation of its midrange line rather than a one-off Pixel 5a availability confirmation. The charging decision establishes the 5a as a transition point for the Pixel range.
Related coverage later shows Google also removed the headphone jack on the Pixel 6a after promoting the 5a against that kind of removal, tying the charger change to a broader retreat from legacy phone inclusions.
First-order effects
Future Pixel buyers will need to supply a USB-C charger separately, while the Pixel 5a remains the final model sold with one in the box.
Google shifts the default purchase from a complete handset package to a phone that assumes an existing USB-C charging accessory.
Second-order effects
USB-C chargers become a more consequential compatibility and purchasing consideration for Pixel customers who do not already own one.
Google's Pixel messaging faces greater scrutiny when later hardware changes remove features that the Pixel 5a had been used to distinguish.
Third-order effects
If Google continues treating existing accessories as sufficient, Pixel hardware differentiation will increasingly come through the handset and software rather than bundled peripherals.
The Pixel line points toward a leaner default phone package, with accessory ownership moving from an included entitlement to a customer responsibility.
The trend: Smartphone makers are redefining the standard phone purchase around the handset itself, relying on customers' existing accessory ecosystems for charging and other formerly included hardware.
This is some bullshit. I blame Apple. Now that GaN chargers are small enough, it becomes about being an upsell, not the environment. It's greed, not green. https://www.theverge.com/...
in-box chargers are a source of totally and utterly unnecessary e-waste. I understand this is also a total cash grab for people who want the Officially Compatible And Certified Accessories, but we've clearly arrived at a decision from the industry on this. https://www.theverge.co…
I see a lot to like in a $449 Android phone with a headphone jack, a fingerprint-unlock security and stock Android—because paying extra for such “upgrades” as no headphone jack, mask-incompatible face recognition and tarted-up Android seems goofy to me. https://arstechnica.com/..…
The fact that Google launched a $450 phone with a 60hz screen, last year's design and the same SD765G and people pretty much universally say “yup, that's great” is the clearest sign I've seen yet that the US market needs more competition
Damn, if it had at least 90Hz it would've been GREAT. But at this day and age, 60Hz on phones just cannot do. Good price nonetheless. https://twitter.com/...
Pixel 5A AAAYYY. @allisonjo1 with the full review and video. Google finishes the job it started with the 3A and 4A, checking the last boxes of the basics you want in an all-arounder cheapish midrange. Is it exciting? Nah? Is it easy to recommend? Yah. https://www.theverge.com/...
here's @allisonjo1's review of the Pixel 5A, an admittedly odd upgrade, but a solid midrange phone with few faults. sadly, it's going to be an “if you know you know” phone rather than something that most people will buy https://twitter.com/...