The Pixel 10 was previously reported to be tested with MediaTek’s 5G modems, but Google ultimately decided that it was best if it stuck with Samsung’s Exynos 5400 for its flagship smartphones, for whatever reason. However, the company could finally bring the upgrade to the Pixel 11 family next year, and with it, we should witness a slew of improvements, which are discussed below.
MediaTek’s M90 5G modem offers better performance and efficiency improvements, as Google said to be conducting ‘early internal testing’ for the Pixel 11 family
Samsung was not completely ditched when Google announced the Pixel 10 family because the Korean giant’s Exynos baseband chips were still being used for all three flagships. However, Telegram’s Mystic Leaks states that the Mountain View behemoth is conducting early testing on MediaTek’s M90 for the Pixel 11 range. According to 9to5Google, a command line screenshot showing the modem’s version as ‘a900a’ was spotted, along with the ‘spacecraft’ bootloader.
Given that the Exynos 5400 is mass produced on Samsung’s older 4nm, it would be less efficient than the solutions fabricated on even TSMC’s 4nm equivalent. This would result in the baseband chip being more power-hungry and less capable, though it should be mentioned that this addition has actually addressed the overheating issues that were persistent in Google’s previous smartphone releases. Fortunately, using the MediaTek M90 will take things one step further.
What benefits will MediaTek’s M90 provide over the Exynos 5400 for the Pixel 11?
The M90 was officially announced earlier this year, with MediaTek stating that its 5G modem is capable of 12Gbps maximum downlink performance and enables up to 18 percent reduced power consumption thanks to the company’s UltraSave technology. The new 5G modem also supports satellite connectivity, giving the Pixel 11 models ‘out of the box’ support to reach out for assistance if there is zero cellular coverage.
Since Apple was previously reported to ditch Intel’s 5G modems in favor of MediaTek, it signifies that the Taiwanese firm has properly demonstrated that its wireless products are a force to be reckoned with. For Google, the transition could give the Pixel 11 family better performance while maintaining impressive battery life and incorporating some noteworthy features. Of course, it depends on whether Google will place orders for the M90 next year, so stay tuned for more updates.
News Source: Mystic Leaks
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
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