While Google's marketing managers are slowly preparing colorful presentations about how artificial intelligence will "change the world" again in August 2026, technology enthusiasts are focusing on a much more mundane, but all the more fundamental aspect. Upcoming Google Pixel The 11 could be the first model to finally solve the chronic weakness of this series – mobile connectivity and the associated energy efficiency.
Since the transition to custom chipsets Tensor Google relied on Samsung foundries and their modems Exynos. However, this option has become the device's Achilles heel. Users across generations (from the Pixel 6 to the Pixel 10) have reported issues with overheating and disproportionate discharging batteries in areas with weaker coverage.
The problem lies in the aggressive 5G network search, where the modem constantly monitors the signal-to-noise ratio. In concrete jungles or underground parking lots, Exynos often clings to weak 5G instead of more energy-efficient LTE, which leads to heating and a drastic decrease in battery percentage. However, the latest leaks indicate a major shift – the transition to MediaTek M90 modem.
Energy revolution in Pixels
MediaTek M90 is not just another component in the number; it is a cutting-edge communications processor that solves real user needs. Forget about theoretical speeds of 12 Gbps, which you will not use in normal operation. The key is efficiency at rest.
The fundamental innovation is the implementation of the standard Rel-17 Paging Early Indication (PEI). Conventional 5G modems “wake up” in regular cycles to check for incoming data, which constantly drains the battery. PEI technology allows the network to send miniature signalwhich tells the modem whether it makes sense to activate at all.
MediaTek states that this smart sleep mode reduces idle consumption by up to 15%. In combination with architecture UltraSave 4.0 could Pixel 11 finally a phone that can handle even the most demanding workday with ease.
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Security and satellite communications
Changing modem vendors also has an unexpected security impact. Modems operate on their own real-time systems and have access to data before Android itself. Historical Modem Vulnerabilities Exynos, discovered by the Project Zero team, have also allowed remote code execution in the past. Go to a more isolated solution from MediaTek, probably in cooperation with the new security chip Titan M3, promises the most robust privacy protection yet.
Additionally, there is the issue of connectivity beyond the reach of terrestrial transmitters. The M90 modem natively supports Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), both for economical IoT messages, as well as for more demanding services. Pixel 11 will be hardware-ready for the era of full-fledged satellite communication.
All these innovations – the transition to 2nm TSMC's manufacturing process and the use of a premium modem - entail increased production costs. Google is no longer trying to be a "cheap alternative" to the iPhone. If the speculation is confirmed, we must prepare for the fact thatThe Pixel 11 will launch with a price tag roughly $100 higher than his predecessors.
