Smartphone accessories aren’t just add-ons, they’re a huge part of the experience of using and owning your device. But, for Android users, it’s often felt like we’re getting the short end of the stick, with a whole world of accessories that only ever seem to care about the iPhone. Finally, though, that feels like it’s changing.
There are some staples in the accessory world. A case, a screen protector, a battery bank. These are pretty standard and, for the most part, abundant no matter what smartphone you’re using. Some lesser-known Android phones might present trouble in finding a good case from a reputable brand, but there’s something out there.
It’s when you stray from the staples, or venture beyond phone accessories that a thriving ecosystem turns into a sparse desert.
For example, let’s imagine you’re a happy Nothing Phone (3) owner. Great phone! Need a case? There are a few recognizable brands, Spigen, Tudia, Ringke, but after that, it’s a sea of jibberish sellers. “Fhyeugfy” is in the top 10 results on Amazon right now. Need something local? Good luck. Frankly, owning almost any Android phone outside of the latest flagship Galaxy makes buying local accessories borderline impossible. You might have a handful of options at a local Best Buy, buried at the end of 1,000 different iPhone cases. At least, that’s how it feels in the US.
Matters are even worse outside of phones, though. First-party accessories for other Android devices – like tablets and smartwatches – are incredibly important because the third-party market is just absolutely empty. Dialing in on smartwatches, the market for third-party accessories is laughable compared to the likes of the Apple Watch, even for “heavy hitters” like the Galaxy Watch. Google, with its specialized Pixel Watch connector, has been the only one making decent bands for its smartwatch up until this past year, and options are still very limited.
It took years to finally get my favorite leather band on a Pixel Watch
One area I’ve been especially, personally frustrated is when it comes to charging docks.
The idea of a charging station for my phone, earbuds, and smartwatch is just so obvious. It’s something that a lot of people want, and it’s something accessory brands are clearly eager to create. You can’t scroll even one page on a search for a “Qi2 charger” without seeing a 3-in-1 station that has an Apple Watch charger baked into it. But to find the same thing for a Galaxy Watch? For a Pixel Watch? They’re so far and few in between, it’s almost a joke.
That is why I’ve been thinking about Belkin’s new charging dock for the past couple of weeks.
Since hearing about it and seeing it in person at CES, I’ve just been so impressed by not only the company’s clever little solution to supporting smartwatches other than an Apple Watch, but just the fact that this exists at all. If you know Belkin, you probably know that this is a company that focuses very closely on Apple above all else. So to see a solution like this from Belkin tells me that, finally, brands might actually be caring about Android accessories.
As far as how this one works, there’s a pop-out ring in the back of the docking station that is designed to be used with silicone adapters that can house charging pucks for Galaxy Watch, Pixel Watch (1st Gen), and Pixel Watch 2 & 3. There’s no support for the Pixel Watch 4’s dock (Google, seriously, stop changing the charger), but that’s apparently not out of the question for the future.
Belkin, like everyone else, could have easily just stuck an Apple Watch charger on this and called it a day, raking in the sales of a 3-in-1 dock that, frankly, still appeals to plenty of customers. Nomad, another Apple-first brand, could have easily not put the effort into making a Pixel Watch band and just kept selling countless Apple Watch bands.
But the simple fact that brands like this – and so many others I’ve not mentioned here – are even wading into the Android world feels like a good sign. It feels like, finally, brands maybe care, at least a little bit. I think a lot of this comes down to the smartphone industry as a whole standardizing a bit with things like Qi2, but it’s just so nice to see, regardless of the reason. Am I overthinking this a little bit? Probably! But I’m excited nonetheless because, while I’m sure Android accessories will never get the same love as those made for an iPhone, taking a small step forward is just so refreshing.
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