Google Pixel 11 Said to Bring MediaTek M90 Modem Upgrade Alongside Tensor G6 for Better 5G and Battery Life

Google’s Pixel phones have long been praised for their cameras and software smarts, but one complaint hasn’t gone away: inconsistent battery life. A new leak suggests the company might be ready to tackle that problem head-on with the Pixel 11 series by swapping out Samsung’s modem for a new option from MediaTek.

According to tipster Mystic Leaks on Telegram, Google is testing MediaTek’s M90 modem with the upcoming Tensor G6 chip, codenamed Malibu. If true, this would mark the first time Google uses MediaTek components in its flagship lineup—a significant departure from years of relying on Samsung’s Exynos modems.

Why MediaTek Instead of Samsung?

Samsung’s Exynos 5400 modem, used in the Pixel 10 series, has often been criticized for two issues: high power consumption and heat during 5G use. Even with Google’s move to TSMC’s 3nm process for the Tensor G5, those concerns didn’t completely go away.

MediaTek’s M90, announced at Mobile World Congress 2025, promises peak download speeds of up to 12Gbps and a 20 percent boost in uplink performance. Just as importantly, it claims a 19 percent reduction in power use compared to previous designs. That combination could help the Pixel 11 deliver more reliable connectivity without draining the battery as quickly.

What the M90 Brings to the Table

The M90 isn’t just about raw speed. It supports both sub-6GHz and mmWave 5G, along with dual 5G SIMs and even satellite connectivity. On paper, it meets the latest 3GPP Release-17 standard and is aligned with the upcoming Release-18 5G-Advanced features.

Google has steadily increased battery capacity in recent generations—from 4,700 mAh on the Pixel 9 to 4,970 mAh on the Pixel 10. Pairing that trend with a more efficient modem could finally give Pixel owners the endurance they’ve been asking for.

Should Pixel Fans Get Excited?

It’s worth keeping expectations in check. Moving to TSMC for the Tensor G5 brought modest gains, but not the dramatic leap many users were hoping for. A modem change won’t magically put the Pixel 11 ahead of Qualcomm-powered rivals, at least not on raw performance. Still, for day-to-day users, fewer dropped connections and longer battery life might be the improvements that matter most.

If Google does follow through, the Pixel 11 would not only mark a break from Samsung’s modem technology but also signal a more pragmatic strategy: improving efficiency without overhauling the Tensor architecture.