Pixel 11 Pro Fold FCC filing hints at Google’s biggest modem upgrade yet
What you need to know
- Pixel 11 Pro Fold FCC filing points to a major modem shake-up, with Google expected to replace Samsung’s Exynos modem with MediaTek’s M90.
- Tensor G6 could complete Google’s break from Samsung, following Tensor G5’s reported move to TSMC for chip manufacturing.
- MediaTek’s M90 brings meaningful upgrades, including up to 12Gbps 5G speeds, satellite connectivity, dual active 5G SIM support, and AI-powered power efficiency.
Google’s long-term partnership with Samsung for Pixel modem hardware might be ending, and a new regulatory filing indicates that change is coming sooner rather than later.
A new FCC filing for the upcoming Pixel 11 Pro Fold seems to confirm that Google is ready to switch to a MediaTek modem and replace Samsung’s Exynos solution, as spotted by Android Authority. The filing corroborates earlier reports that the Tensor G6 platform will be paired with the company’s M90 5G modem, instead of using Samsung’s modem technology.
Google has been heavily reliant on Samsung for chip design and modem components since the original Tensor chip debuted in the Pixel 6 series. Although Tensor G5 is reported to have moved to TSMC for manufacturing, Google is still using a Samsung modem. The one for a clean break seems to be Tensor G6.
For Pixel users, the modem swap might matter more than benchmark numbers. Samsung’s modems have been among the more common complaints on recent Pixel phones, with users citing inconsistent cellular reception, increased battery drain, and less reliable signal strength compared to other flagship devices. A more recent modem could fix those long-term pain points.
On paper, MediaTek’s M90 modem has some promising upgrades. It supports download speeds of up to 12Gbps, satellite connectivity, dual active 5G SIM support, and AI-powered power management that promises to improve efficiency without compromising performance. With the rumored Tensor G6 shift to TSMC’s 2nm manufacturing process, the Pixel 11 lineup could deliver meaningful gains in battery life, thermal performance, and overall connectivity rather than just the raw processing power.
If the leaks are true, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold could be the company’s first foldable to come with a MediaTek modem, and that points to a wider change for the entire Pixel 11 lineup.
Android Central’s Take
I think this is one of the smartest hardware decisions Google could make. Pixel phones have always had great cameras and some 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.
