Google could be planning a major change to its in-house silicon strategy. According to new leaks, the company’s upcoming Pixel 11 series may finally move away from Samsung’s modem tech — a decision that could address two of the biggest complaints about the Pixel lineup: battery life and connectivity.
The leak, shared by tipster Mystic Leaks on Telegram, claims that Google’s next chip, the Tensor G6, will no longer rely on Samsung hardware. Instead, the company is reportedly testing MediaTek’s M90 modem, which was announced earlier this year. For those unfamiliar, the Tensor G5 still uses Samsung’s Exynos 5400 modem to handle cellular connectivity. MediaTek’s alternative promises peak download speeds of up to 12Gbps, along with improved power efficiency and built-in support for dual 5G SIMs and satellite connectivity.
If true, this marks the first time Google has used MediaTek components in its flagship phones. It would also represent a clean break from Samsung’s Exynos modems, which have been blamed for excessive heat and faster battery drain during 5G use. Even with the switch to TSMC’s 3nm process in the current Tensor G5, Google’s chips have yet to match Qualcomm’s Snapdragon series in performance. For reference, here’s a benchmark comparison between the Tensor G5 and Tensor G4.
By partnering with MediaTek, Google seems to be taking a more practical approach — improving efficiency without rebuilding the Tensor architecture from scratch. The Pixel 11, expected to debut in late 2026, could see better endurance and connectivity thanks to MediaTek’s new modem. Google increased the battery capacity from 4,700 mAh on the Pixel 9 to 4,970 mAh on the Pixel 10, and a similar boost with the Pixel 11 could extend the runtime even further.
Still, some users remain cautious. The Tensor G5’s TSMC move brought modest gains but not the leap many had hoped for. Whether or how much MediaTek’s M90 can change that story remains to be seen.
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