According to sources considered serious, the future Pixel 10 will integrate the MediaTek T900 modem, a still new component based on the “M85” generation. This chip will leverage the 5G 3GPP Release 17 specification, promising better power efficiency and expanded network compatibility. This decision marks a significant break with previous generations of Pixels which used Samsung modems since the Pixel 6.
The Samsung modems fitted to the first Tensor smartphones encountered numerous difficulties, including overheating issues and poor reception. These malfunctions have even been identified internally as the main cause of Pixel device returns.
A complete technical overhaul
This transition to MediaTek is being implemented as part of a broader transformation of the Pixel 10 architecture. Google will also hand over production of the Tensor G5 processor to TSMC, using its 3nm “N3E” manufacturing process. This new technical approach can be explained in particular by the performance problems encountered by Samsung with its 3 nm GAA technology.
Before opting for MediaTek, Google had considered using Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X75. The final choice of the T900 seems to have fallen towards the Taiwanese brand due to better energy efficiency and lower costs. The precise specifications of the T900 are still confidential, but this modem is expected to outperform its predecessor, the T800, which offered maximum download speeds of 7.9 Gbps.
This new direction represents a first in the history of Pixels. Note that it is rumored that Xiaomi also plans to use the same T900 modem in its future processor engraved in 3 nm. Although successive generations of Tensor (G2, G3 and G4) made improvements, the performance of Google modems remained behind the competition. It seems that the first prototypes of the Pixel 10 are currently being tested with the MediaTek modem. There are still several months before the release of this series which will succeed the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL.
