The Pixel 11 series brings Google’s updated Tensor G6 chipset that, while not quite as big of an upgrade as we expected, still brings a big new change in a MediaTek-made modem that Google has some claims about.

You can pick from any number of mostly-valid complaints around Google’s Tensor processors, but one of the most glaring flaws over the years has been the modem. In the early days where Tensor was still based more on Samsung’s Exynos chips, the first couple of generations of Tensor were an absolute mess in regards to network performance. Google made marked improvements in subsequent generations, mostly ironing out the situation by the time of Pixel 8 and Tensor G3.

Last year’s Tensor G5 was Google’s first entirely self-developed and TSMC-made chip, but it still relied on a Samsung modem.

This year, Tensor G6 changes things up.

The modem found in the Pixel 11 series and Tensor G6 is from MediaTek, as was rumored for months ahead of launch. FCC listings and the baseband present on these new devices confirm the switch on Google’s part, and it’s been a long-awaited one. We’ll be looking at this in our reviews of the Pixel 11 series, but Google is making some direct claims around the modem. On the Google Store, the company says:

The all-new modem is reliable, faster, and more power efficient.

A footnote says that these claims are based on “pre-production devices in lab-controlled conditions,” but it’s still promising. Where Samsung’s modems often led to lesser performance, battery drain, and overheating problems, we’re hoping that this switch will improve things across the board for Pixel 11, and that’s exactly what Google claims. But we’ll have to wait and see how it performs in real-life.

Pixel 11 pre-orders are open now:

• Pixel 11: Google Store | Amazon | Best Buy
• Pixel 11 Pro: Google Store | Amazon | Best Buy
• Pixel 11 Pro XL: Google Store | Amazon | Best Buy
• Pixel 11 Pro Fold: Google Store | Amazon | Best Buy

• Pixel 11 tidbits: The key details you should know about Google’s latest phones
• Google has another Pixel 11 discount for up to $175 off, here’s where to find it
• Pixel 11’s ‘Pistachio’ color option should be ‘Old Avocado’

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