Pixel 11 gets a modem upgrade: will battery life finally improve?
Google’s upcoming Pixel 11 series – including the standard, Pro, Pro XL, and foldable models – is generating buzz even before its August 12th launch. While details remain scarce, a newly surfaced Federal Communications Commission (FCC) filing has revealed a significant hardware shift that could address a long-standing Pixel pain point: battery performance.
Google ditching samsung for mediatek modems
The Pixel phones have historically relied on Samsung Exynos modems. However, this changes with the Tensor G6 chipset powering the Pixel 11 lineup. According to documents spotted by Android Authority, Google is switching to a MediaTek modem – marking the first time a Pixel device won’t utilize a Samsung component for this crucial function.
The shift was uncovered within the Pixel 11 Pro Fold’s SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) test report, a standard procedure for measuring radio frequency exposure. While the exact modem model isn’t explicitly named, the report references the MediaTek TA-SAR v2 algorithm, confirming persistent rumors that surfaced last autumn regarding Google’s planned move to MediaTek.
The potential impact here is considerable. The most likely candidate for the modem is the MediaTek M90, announced earlier this year. This chip boasts impressive specifications, including “dual 5G SIM dual-active support with dual data capabilities” and downlink speeds up to 12Gbps. But beyond the raw performance gains, MediaTek touts the M90’s AI-powered capabilities, specifically emphasizing improved power efficiency.
Adding fuel to the fire, Google is reportedly utilizing TSMC’s cutting-edge 2nm process node for the Tensor G6 itself. This, coupled with a rumored seven-core design (instead of the typical six or eight), could further contribute to improved battery life, even without drastically increasing battery cell size.
Previous Pixel generations haven't exactly been stellar in the battery department. Mariyan’s in-depth review of the Pixel 10 Pro found battery life better than the Pixel 9 Pro, but still underwhelming. Victor’s review of the Pixel 10 echoed these sentiments, noting improvements over the base Pixel 9, but highlighting unexpected performance struggles under heavy load. Any advancement in this area would be a welcome change.
Google will likely steer clear of explicitly mentioning the modem during the Pixel 11 launch event. However, the new Pixel Glow feature – an array of LED lights on the back of the phones that illuminate upon receiving notifications – is expected to take center stage. These lights, configurable with eight different colors for various apps and contacts, could even display patterns related to Gemini interactions, low battery alerts, and charging indicators.
While the modem itself might not be the most exciting tech spec for the average consumer, this shift represents a potential turning point for Pixel devices, offering a chance to address persistent connectivity and battery life challenges. It’s a gamble, certainly, but one that could significantly improve the overall Pixel experience.