Google has been using Samsung hardware to power its semi-in-house Tensor G chips for years, but the partnership may be over.
This year Google switched development of the Tensor G5 to TSMC for the Pixel 10 series. However, Google retained the same Samsung Exynos modem that was used in the Pixel 9 Pro. Now a new rumor suggests that Google could drop Samsung completely for the Tensor G6 in next year's Pixel 11 series.
According to leaker Mystic Leaks (via SammyGuru), Google is considering switching to the MediaTek M90 modem introduced at MWC 2025.
The new modem boasts AI and 5G features, which MediaTek claims will enable "differentiated performance with more design flexibility." It's also supposed to be more power-efficient and faster, with up to 12Gbps downlink speeds.
Why does the switch matter?
The TSMC-made Tensor G5 proved noticeably better than the Samsung Tensor G4 in Tom's Guide testing, and MediaTek's modem could see a similar growth.
It's not hard to find complaints about the modem in the Google Pixel. From Reddit to Samsung's own community forums, there are a multitude of posts filled with grievances against Samsung modems (especially those in the Pixel) going back years.
We've seen a number of complaints about a lack of connectivity as well as battery drain. Ironically, Samsung uses the Qualcomm X80 modem in its own Galaxy S25 flagship series, though there are reports that the company is looking to switch to its own Exynos 2600 series next year.
Based on the released specs of the MediaTek M90, next year's Pixel could be a huge improvement thanks to satellite-based connectivity, faster speeds and improved power efficiency.
As far as I can tell there are no phones currently available that utilize the M90, so it's hard to compare real-life performance and connectivity to Samsung's offerings.
Grains of salt
In the run-up to the release of the Pixel 10 lineup, a similar rumor popped up claiming that Google would move away from the Samsung Exynos modem for this year's devices. Obviously, that did not come to fruition. So, we're taking this rumor with a little bit of skepticism until it proves true.
Beyond the modem, the Tensor G6 in the Pixel 11 is rumored to be built on a new 2nm process by TSMC. If true, it would be one of the first flagships to feature a 2nm chip.
Google's chips have been efficient but lag well behind Apple's A-series CPUs and the Qualcomm Snapdragon chips in the Samsung Galaxy lineup.
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