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The Nintendo Switch Console supports USB Power Delivery over USB Type-C but what happens when you try to charge it using the Google 18W USB-C Power Adapter originally shipped with the Google Pixel phone which also supports USB Power Delivery?

Here we see how well the Switch uses power supplied by the Google charger for charging both the Switch itself and the Joy-Con controllers attached to the left and right sides of the Console. Note the Switch is turned off with its batteries fully depleted before charging.

When connected to the Nintendo Switch being attached with the left and right Joy-Con controllers, the Google 18W USB-C Power Adapter starts communicating over USB Power Delivery by advertising that it can deliver 15 watts (5 volts @ 3 amps) and 18 watts (9 volts @ 2 amps) to the Switch Console.

The Nintendo Switch Console is initially seen to request only 4.5 watts (9 volts @ 0.5 amps) and is accepted by the Google charger.

The Switch Console later goes on to establish the full 18 watts (9 volts @ 2 amps) power contract with the Google charger for faster charging.

During the initial plug in from zero charge with the Joy-Con controllers attached to either side, the Nintendo Switch starts off pulling around 15.3 watts (9 volts @ 1.7 amps) and rapidly changing current in between 1.3 amps and 1.7 amps @ 9 volts. When the Switch is turned on, the power pulled goes up to the 15 to 21 watts range as the Switch Console consumes more power used to support the Joy Con controllers (note no active gameplay is happening at this time).

The Nintendo Switch Console is actually charging at more than 18 watts when the USB Power Delivery power contract established was 18 watts should not be happening with the Google 18W USB-C Power Adapter.