Google might not kneecap the Pixel 11a with an old processor

Google's next budget Pixel may skip the usual mid-range compromise on power. According to a new leak reported by The Verge, the upcoming Pixel 11a is expected to run on the same Tensor G6 chip found in the flagship Pixel 11 lineup, rather than a hand-me-down processor from an earlier generation. The report also points to a more dependable modem supplied by MediaTek, addressing a component that has long been a weak spot for Google's phones.

The detail matters because Google has historically treated its "a-series" phones as a step behind on silicon. Previous budget models, including recent entries in the line, shipped with a processor already a generation old by the time they launched, even as the rest of the hardware kept pace with that year's flagship. That approach let Google hit a lower price point, but it also meant buyers of the cheaper phone were locked into weaker performance and, in some cases, a shorter runway of top-tier features compared with owners of the pricier model.

If the leak holds up, the Pixel 11a would instead share its core processor with Google's flagship devices at launch, narrowing a gap that has defined the a-series since its debut. For everyday users, that would translate into snappier app performance, better handling of on-device AI features, and less risk of the phone feeling outdated within a year or two of purchase, since Tensor G6 would presumably be the current flagship-grade chip rather than a hand-me-down part.

The modem swap is arguably just as significant. Tensor-powered Pixels have drawn persistent complaints over the years about spotty cellular reception, slow 5G handoffs, and connectivity hiccups, issues widely attributed to the Exynos modem components paired with earlier Tensor chips. A shift toward a MediaTek-supplied modem, described in the report as more reliable, suggests Google may be trying to close that gap rather than carrying the same connectivity weaknesses into another budget release.

Neither change has been confirmed by Google, and leaks about unreleased hardware can shift before launch, particularly on components like modems that are sometimes swapped between markets or carriers. Some past Pixel rumors have also proven only partially accurate once devices reached final testing, so the exact chip configuration and modem sourcing could still be adjusted before the phone ships.

The stakes are notable for Google's positioning in the budget phone market. Rivals such as Apple's iPhone SE and Samsung's Galaxy A series compete heavily on the promise of flagship-adjacent performance at a lower price, and any perceived compromise on chip power has been an easy target for criticism of the a-series in the past. Matching flagship silicon, paired with a steadier modem, would let Google market the Pixel 11a as a far closer proxy to its full-price phone than previous budget models managed to be.

Pricing and a firm release date have not surfaced alongside the chip and modem details. Google typically unveils its a-series phones in the first half of the year, months after the corresponding flagship line debuts, so further leaks covering camera hardware, battery capacity, and software features are likely before an official announcement.

Source: The Verge