In an exciting development, reports are surfacing that Google’s Pixel 10 series will introduce a fresh change by opting for a MediaTek modem over its previous choice of Samsung Exynos modems. Android Authority has revealed that the upcoming lineup is expected to incorporate the not-yet-released MediaTek T900 modem. The switch comes after years of Google relying on Samsung’s Exynos line since the Pixel 6 series.
While Exynos modems have delivered commendable performance, they’ve been plagued by issues like poor reception and overheating. The Google Tensor G2 managed to mitigate these problems with the Exynos 5300 5G, showing some improvements in reception and thermal management. Users may not have noticed these drawbacks extensively, but Google’s decision hints at a desire for better performance in its flagship phones.
Interestingly, Google initially considered Qualcomm’s modems, notably the Snapdragon X75, currently featured in the iPhone 16 series. However, after careful evaluation, it seems the tech giant is paving a new path with MediaTek.
Details on the MediaTek T900 are still scarce as the chip has not been officially announced. The modem is based on the “M85” generation modem IP. To provide some context, the “M70” supported the 3GPP Release 15 5G specification, and the “M80” was aligned with Release 16. Consequently, it’s anticipated that the “M85” will support Release 17 or perhaps even newer technologies. Nevertheless, comparisons to the Exynos Modem 5400, which is part of the Pixel 9 series, remain speculative at this stage.
Google’s move towards MediaTek’s T900 could potentially bring enhanced efficiency, addressing thermal and battery life concerns that have been associated with Exynos chips. With the upcoming Tensor G5, enthusiasts are eager to see just how significant these improvements will be in the next-generation devices.
