Google Reportedly Explores MediaTek Modem for Pixel 11's Tensor G6 Chip

Google is reportedly testing a modem from Taiwanese chipmaker MediaTek for its future Tensor G6 processor, which is expected to power the Pixel 11 lineup in 2026. This potential shift, reported by 9to5google and other tech outlets on October 3 and 4, 2025, would mark a significant strategic pivot away from Samsung's Exynos modems, which have been an integral, and often criticized, component of every Google Tensor chip since the processor's debut in 2021. The news comes just over a month after the launch of the Pixel 10, which continues to use a Samsung modem, highlighting Google's forward-looking efforts to address one of the most persistent complaints about its flagship smartphones: cellular connectivity and battery life.

The rumored move is widely seen as a direct response to years of user feedback and critical reviews concerning the performance of Samsung's modems in Pixel phones. Since the Pixel 6, users have frequently reported issues such as dropped calls, unreliable data connections in areas with weak signals, and excessive battery drain attributed to the modem's inefficiency. By exploring a partnership with MediaTek, a company that has made significant inroads in the high-performance chip market, Google appears to be seeking a solution to enhance the core reliability and endurance of its devices. According to leaks, the specific component being tested is the MediaTek M90 modem, which was announced at MWC 2025 and promises significant gains in both speed and power efficiency.

This potential hardware change also casts a new light on Google's long-term ambition to develop its own fully in-house custom modem, a project reportedly codenamed "Redondo." The decision to test a third-party modem for a 2026 device could suggest that the internal project has encountered delays or is not yet ready to compete with established market players. A partnership with MediaTek could therefore serve as a crucial interim step, allowing Google to resolve pressing hardware issues while continuing its ambitious vertical integration efforts behind the scenes. The move would also further distance the Tensor project from Samsung, following the shift of the main chip's manufacturing from Samsung's foundry to rival TSMC for the Tensor G5.

• Historical Context of Tensor Modems: Since the introduction of the first Tensor System on a Chip (SoC) in the Pixel 6, Google has exclusively used Samsung's Exynos modems. This partnership, while enabling Google's foray into custom silicon, has been consistently linked to user complaints about poor network reception, slow data speeds, and higher-than-average battery drain when on mobile data compared to phones using Qualcomm's industry-leading modems. Even with the newer Exynos 5300 and 5400i modems in recent Pixels, issues have persisted, making it a critical area for improvement.
• Key Stakeholders and Their Positions: The main players in this development are Google, which is aiming to improve its hardware to better compete with Apple and Samsung; Samsung LSI, the current modem supplier facing the potential loss of a high-profile client; and MediaTek. For MediaTek, securing a contract for the Pixel 11 would be a major design win, elevating its brand and validating its technology in the premium US smartphone market, where it has historically had less presence than in other regions.
• Technical Details of the MediaTek M90: The MediaTek M90 modem, announced in February 2025, is built on a more advanced manufacturing process and supports peak downlink speeds of up to 12Gbps. MediaTek claims the M90 uses AI models to enhance power efficiency, potentially reducing average power consumption by up to 18% compared to some rivals. It also supports modern features like dual 5G SIM dual-active capabilities and satellite connectivity, which would allow future Pixels to maintain feature parity with competitors.
• Implications for the Pixel User Experience: A switch to a more efficient and reliable MediaTek modem could directly address some of the most significant pain points for Pixel owners. This could translate to more stable 5G and LTE connections, fewer dropped calls, and most importantly, improved battery life. Because the modem is one of the most power-hungry components in a smartphone, a more efficient chip would require less energy to maintain a strong signal, leading to tangible gains in daily usage.
• Status of Google's In-House Modem Project: For years, reports have indicated that Google's ultimate goal is full vertical integration, which includes designing its own 5G modem (codenamed "Redondo"). This would mirror Apple's strategy of controlling all key hardware components. However, designing a competitive modem from scratch is notoriously difficult and expensive. The consideration of MediaTek for the Tensor G6 suggests Google's internal project has faced delays and may not be ready until 2027 or later, making an external partnership a necessary stopgap.
• A Broader Shift Away from Samsung: This move is part of a larger trend of Google distancing its Tensor chip development from Samsung. While the first few generations of Tensor were co-developed with and manufactured by Samsung, Google moved the production of the Tensor G5 (for the Pixel 10) to TSMC. The modem was one of the last major Samsung-supplied components, and switching to MediaTek would represent a near-final break in the chip's hardware origins, giving Google more independent control over its design and supply chain.
• Timeline of Events: Rumors of a switch to a MediaTek modem first surfaced in late 2024 for the Pixel 10, but that did not happen, with Google sticking to Samsung's Exynos 5400i. The current reports, emerging in early October 2025, specify that "early internal testing" is underway for the MediaTek M90 modem in the Tensor G6 (codenamed "Malibu"), which is slated for the Pixel 11's expected launch in late 2026. Engineering samples of the M90 were scheduled for availability in the second half of 2025, aligning with this testing timeline.