Google moves further away from Samsung for Pixel hardware

When Google revamped its Pixel smartphone series in 2021, it introduced a completely new design language and used several Samsung hardware components. However, the company began moving away from Samsung last year, and the Pixel 11 series will reportedly use one fewer component from its longtime South Korean partner.

According to new reports, the Pixel 11 series will use the new Tensor G6 chip with a MediaTek 5G modem instead of Samsung's Exynos 5G modem. Android Authority discovered in the FCC database that the Pixel 11 series' SAR test report mentions MediaTek's TA-SAR v2 algorithm.

Sources reportedly indicate that the Tensor G6 chip will be paired with the MediaTek M90 modem and built on TSMC's 2nm process node. The chip is expected to support download speeds of up to 12GB/s on compatible cellular networks. It also supports direct satellite connectivity for emergency calls and messages, as well as dual active 5G connections.

Google stopped using Samsung Foundry to fabricate Tensor chips for smartphones last year. With its reported switch to MediaTek for cellular connectivity, Google may now depend on Samsung only for OLED panels, some camera sensors, and DRAM and UFS storage chips.

The Pixel 11 series reportedly includes four phones: the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL, and Pixel 11 Pro Fold. All four phones are expected to use the Tensor G6 chip and run Android 17 out of the box. They will reportedly launch on August 12, a few weeks after the Galaxy Z Flip 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 series.