Pixel 11 may finally get a modem makeover, and early signs point to MediaTek. After sticking with Samsung’s Exynos 5400 in the Pixel 10 lineup, Google is reportedly testing MediaTek’s M90 5G modem for next year’s Pixel 11 family. If the switch happens, expect faster connectivity, better battery life, and a few headline features fans have been asking for.
Multiple clues suggest Google is kicking the tires on MediaTek hardware. A recent internal command line readout lists a modem version identified as a900a, paired with a “spacecraft” bootloader. Leakers also claim early Pixel 11 prototypes are running the M90, signaling that Google is at least exploring alternatives to Exynos basebands.
Why the change now? The Exynos 5400 in the Pixel 10 series is produced on an older 4nm process, which generally trails more efficient 4nm implementations from competing foundries. While the 5400 helped tame the overheating complaints from earlier Pixels, it still leaves room on the table for better power efficiency and sustained performance. That’s where the MediaTek M90 could shine.
MediaTek announced the M90 with some eye-catching numbers: up to 12 Gbps peak downlink speeds and as much as 18 percent lower power consumption thanks to its UltraSave technology. Just as important, the M90 supports satellite connectivity, potentially giving the Pixel 11 lineup built-in emergency communication options when you’re off the grid or out of cellular range.
Industry chatter has also linked MediaTek to other major smartphone makers, underscoring how far the company’s modem technology has come. For Google, adopting the M90 could translate into stronger 5G performance, cooler operation, and longer battery life, all while adding next-gen features like satellite support.
Nothing is final until Google locks its component orders, and modem choices can change late in development. But if the Pixel 11 range ships with MediaTek’s M90, it would mark one of the most meaningful connectivity upgrades the series has seen in years. Keep an eye out—more concrete details should emerge as we get closer to launch.
