This is why you should not let this Tensor G6 rumor dissuade you from buying a Pixel 11 series phone
The rumor that the Pixel 11 series will feature a 5-year-old GPU is not exactly true.
Tensor G6 rumor should not ruin your Pixel 11 plans. | Image by PhoneArena
Like many of you out there, I am really looking forward to the release of the Pixel 11 series as I need to replace my Pixel 6 Pro. The Tensor G6 application processor should be a huge upgrade from the OG Tensor AP.
Google is reportedly dropping Samsung modems from its Pixel line in favor of MediaTek 5G modems
Google is also reportedly dropping Samsung as a source of 5G modems for its Pixel handsets. Considering the serious connectivity issues that Pixel 6 Pro users had thanks to the 7nm Exynos 5123b modem (aka the Shannon A5123), I'm hoping that the rumored switch to the MediaTek M90 5G modem never leaves me worried about whether I can make a call.
However, those eagerly anticipating the Pixel 11 series do have at least one thing to worry about according to leaker Mystic Leaks. The latter writes that Google will use the Imagination/PowerVR C-Series CXTP-48-1536 GPU with the Tensor G6, which stunningly is a GPU that dates back to 2021. However, Google plans on using a more updated variant of the GPU, which means that users should not worry about this.
The Pixel 11 series will use an updated version of an older GPU
One of the changes rumored for the 2026 version of the GPU includes native Vulkan 1.4 support. This should bring higher frame rates, smoother game animations and better ray tracing for improved lighting and shading effects. Since the Tensor G6 AP will be produced using the 2nm process node, Google can overclock it while allowing the GPU to still run cool allowing it to deliver better performance.
Which Pixel 11 feature has you drooling?
Mystic Leaks believes that the use of this GPU is a move by Google to save die space for larger CPU and NPU upgrades, which frankly, is something I'd prefer. I'd rather have my next Pixel amaze with the latest AI capabilities instead of having more realistic gaming graphics especially since I am not a gamer. I'd bet that most Pixel users would agree with me here.
The Tensor G6 processor will feature seven cores
The Tensor G6 is rumored to be equipped with one ARM C1 Ultra Prime Core running at a clock speed of 4.11GHz, four C1-Pro Performance Cores clocked at 3.38GHz, and two additional C1-Pro Efficiency Cores with a slower 2.65GHz clock speed. The Tensor G6 AP will feature seven cores making it a hept-core or sept-core processor, which is a bit unusual since most processors feature an even number of cores.
The Pixel 10 series is powered by the Tensor G5 processor. | Image by Google
For those who stay away from the Pixel series stating that the Tensor AP is no match for Apple's A-series chipsets used to power the iPhone, and the Snapdragon 8 Elite series of chips for top Android flagship models, that is true based on benchmark tests. However, Google now customizes the design of the Tensor SoCs, and while I hate to be a foundry snob (don't you hate them?), the Tensor processors are now produced by leading foundry TSMC instead of Samsung Foundry.
Google will be holding I/O 2026 on May 19 and 20 with the keynote taking place on May 19 at 10 am PDT (1 pm EDT). We might learn more about the Pixel 11 line at that time. In mid-August, we should see the new Pixel series unveiled during a Made by Google event with the actual release taking place shortly after the event.
The Pixel has been seeing its small market share in the U.S. improve
While the Pixel had a small 3% to 5% share of smartphone sales in the U.S. last year, this figure is on the rise. Even more impressive, among premium smartphones (those priced at $600 and up), the Pixel had an impressive 7% market share.
Consumers typically buy Pixel handsets for the impressive photos that users can snap, although I enjoy having the ability to get Android updates ahead of the pack. I also love that Google is phasing out the Google Assistant and is replacing it with Gemini, allowing you to get in-depth responses whenever you use the "Hey Google" hotword.
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