• Source:JND
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It’s been just over a month since the Pixel 10 hit the market, and talk around its successor is already heating up. The latest rumour points to a big shift under the hood—the Pixel 11’s Tensor G6 chip might come paired with a MediaTek modem instead of Samsung’s.

Reports about Google experimenting with MediaTek modems aren’t entirely new. Back in late 2024, speculation suggested that the Pixel 10 lineup would be the first to adopt a MediaTek modem, but that didn’t pan out. Instead, Google stuck with Samsung’s Exynos 5400i, which has powered both the Pixel 9 and Pixel 10.

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Now, a fresh leak from Mystic Leaks claims Google has begun “early internal testing” of the MediaTek M90 modem for the Pixel 11 and its next-gen Tensor G6 processor. A command-line screenshot reportedly shows the baseband version as “a900a”, while the bootloader carries the codename “spacecraft” — a clear shift from the Pixel 10’s “deepspace”.

MediaTek unveiled the M90 5G modem earlier this year at MWC 2025. It promises up to 12 Gbps peak download speeds, dual 5G SIM dual-active support, and new AI models aimed at boosting power efficiency and performance. The modem also supports satellite connectivity — a feature Google is expected to continue offering in its flagship phones. While MediaTek hasn’t revealed the process node, engineering samples are expected to roll out in the second half of 2025.

The Exynos 5400i modems have done a good job addressing the overheating issues that plagued older Pixels, but the M90 claims an 18% improvement in average power efficiency. If Google makes the switch, it could be another sign of the company’s gradual move away from Samsung’s foundry toward TSMC’s advanced processes.

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As for the Tensor G6 itself, it’s internally codenamed “Malibu”. Earlier leaks from Google’s “gChips” division suggested it would be built on TSMC’s N3P process using a 1+6 core setup, though newer reports hint at an even more advanced 2nm process. If true, the Pixel 11 could be shaping up to deliver Google’s most efficient and capable hardware yet.