PIXEL 11 PRO FOLD TO COME IN PINE COLOR, WITH MEDIATEK MODEM

Google’s reliance on Samsung for Pixel modem hardware may be coming to an end. A new FCC filing for the upcoming Pixel 11 Pro Fold indicates Google is ready to pair the Tensor G6 chip with a MediaTek M90 5G modem, replacing Samsung’s Exynos solution. On paper, this is the cleanest break yet from a partnership that has defined Pixel connectivity since the original Tensor chip debuted in the Pixel 6 series.

For Pixel users, the modem is not an abstract spec. Samsung’s modems have been among the more common complaints on recent Pixels: inconsistent cellular reception, increased battery drain, and less reliable signal strength compared to other flagship devices. The move to MediaTek could finally fix those long-term pain points.

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M90, IS IT GOOD

MediaTek’s M90 modem promises download speeds up to 112 Gbps, satellite connectivity, dual-active 5 G SIM support, and AI-powered power management to improve efficiency without compromising performance. Those are meaningful upgrades for a device class that often struggles with connectivity in areas with marginal signal. If the Tensor G6 also shifts to TSMC’s 2nm manufacturing process, as rumoured, the Pixel 11 lineup could deliver real gains in battery life and thermal performance alongside better radios.

The transition is not immediate even within Google’s own lineup. The Tensor G5, expected later this year, reportedly moves to TSMC for fabrication but still uses a Samsung modem. The one for a clean break appears to be the Tensor G6. That suggests Google is carefully staging the switch, moving the chip to TSMC first and swapping the modem in the next generation.

IT'S NOT REALLY... PINE.

Separately leaked renders give us the best look yet at the Pixel 11 Pro Fold in a new colour called Pine. It is a muted, understated shade of green paired with a light gold frame. The design remains familiar but with a handful of refinements. The biggest visual change is the camera island: the flash now sits inside the pill-shaped cutout instead of occupying its own section outside it. The extra strip of metal from the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is gone. The camera cutouts extend to the edge with no excess metal.

The phone itself is reportedly slimmer than its predecessor. The Pixel 11 Pro Fold measures 10.1mm when folded and 4.8mm when unfolded, compared to last year’s 10.8mm and 5.2mm. That is a noticeable reduction. The camera bar is also slightly narrower. Pine is expected to be offered on the Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL as well.

SAMSUNG OR PIXEL, THAT'S THE CALL

This could be one of the smartest hardware decisions Google makes. Pixel phones have always had great cameras and genuinely helpful AI features, but modem performance has been a frustrating Achilles heel for years. If the move to MediaTek finally solves the connectivity and battery problems, most users will probably not care whose logo is on the modem. They will be happy with a Pixel that has a better signal and lasts longer.

The timing also matters. Samsung’s next foldable, the Galaxy Z Fold 7, releases next week. Google’s Made by Google event is set for August 12 in New York, about a month away. The Pixel 11 Pro Fold won't rival the Galaxy Z Fold 7. With the modem swap and the new SoC, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold could be the first Pixel where the hardware story is not just about cameras and software.

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All eyes are on the August event now. But for anyone who has lived through years of signal drops and battery drain on a Pixel, the modem news is the real headline.