The Tensor G6 will be notable for one key reason. | Image by Android Headlines
The Pixel 11 series is approaching fast, with only about a month left until the launch event. As debates rage on over whether the smartphone lineup is getting less attention than it deserves from Google, there's at least one thing that the Mountain View giant seems to be getting right.
Calling dibs first
Last year, Google had the custom Tensor G5 chip made by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), ditching long-time partner Samsung. TSMC is perceived to have an edge over Samsung in chip fabrication, with higher yields meaning that most chips meet design standards and are more efficient. This is why TSMC is the go-to choice for Apple, Qualcomm, and NVIDIA.
The Tensor G5 was made on the N3P node, which was the most advanced technology available at that time. However, Google wasn't the first to use TSMC's 3nm tech. Apple is typically the first to take advantage of the chip manufacturer's latest fabrication process. That's changing this year with the Pixel 11 Pro.
The 2nm era
A Pixel 11 Pro Fold render | Image by Mystic Leaks
The smartphone industry is transitioning to the 2nm process, promising faster and more energy-efficient smartphones. Google will be the one cutting the ribbon on this era, not Apple, as pointed out by Chinese outlet UDN.
Other chip manufacturers will announce their 2nm silicon later this year. Qualcomm's Snapdragon Summit 2026 will take place from September 22 to 24, where it will announce the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and 6 Pro, which will likely be seen first on the Samsung Galaxy S26 series.
MediaTek will likely unveil its Dimensity 9600 chipset sometime in the third quarter.
Why choose the Pixel 11 over the competition?
Not the fastest
While the Pixel 11 might be the first handset with a 2nm chip, it will likely still trail top-tier phones from Apple and Samsung in speed. Far from playing it safe, Google might actually take a step backward this year by shifting from an 8-core CPU to a 7-core one.
One silver lining is that for the first time, Pixel phones will ditch the Samsung Exynos modem, which has often been blamed for battery woes and dropped signals. The Pixel 11 line will instead feature a MediaTek modem.
Good enough is the goal
The Pixel series stubbornly refuses to give in to peer pressure and chase high-end specs. The Pixel 11 won't be the fastest phone on the market, nor will it last the longest on a single charge. While some camera improvements are rumored, they are unlikely to make the phone stand out among top camera phones with much better hardware.
So, while the Pixel 11 might generate some buzz with its 2nm chip, it likely won't be long before it's forgotten in a sea of new releases, which will have more to offer than just AI features.
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Anam Hamid is a computer scientist turned tech journalist who has a keen interest in the tech world, with a particular focus on smartphones and tablets. She has previously written for Android Headlines and has also been a ghostwriter for several tech and car publications. Anam is not a tech hoarder and believes in using her gadgets for as long as possible. She is concerned about smartphone addiction and its impact on future generations, but she also appreciates the convenience that phones have brought into our lives. Anam is excited about technological advancements like folding screens and under-display sensors, and she often wonders about the future of technology. She values the overall experience of a device more than its individual specs and admires companies that deliver durable, high-quality products. In her free time, Anam enjoys reading, scrolling through Reddit and Instagram, and occasionally refreshing her programming skills through tutorials.
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