Google shifted away from Samsung modems for its Pixel 11 family, pairing the new Tensor G6 processor with baseband hardware supplied by MediaTek.
As 9to5Google reported, FCC filings and device baseband details confirmed that the entire Pixel 11 generation—including the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL, and Pixel 11 Pro Fold—drops Samsung's cellular hardware in favor of MediaTek. On product listings via the Google Store, the company stated that “the all-new modem is reliable, faster, and more power efficient,” noting in technical footnotes that these findings originate from tests on pre-production units evaluated under lab-controlled parameters.
The modem change marks a notable architecture pivot for Google's custom silicon efforts. Early generations of the Tensor lineup relied on Samsung Exynos-derived cellular components, which faced criticism over thermal throttling, elevated battery consumption, and inconsistent radio reception on mobile networks. While Google shifted fabrication of its core Tensor G5 application processor to TSMC the previous year, that design still incorporated a discrete Samsung baseband.
Tensor G6 completes the departure from Samsung's communications hardware. While real-world field evaluations will determine how well the MediaTek hardware handles weak signal fringe areas and tower transitions, the hardware change reflects Google's ongoing effort to stabilize baseline cellular performance across its flagship hardware.
