The upcoming Pixel 11 series is gearing up to be a game-changer in the world of smartphones, and the reason could be the new Tensor G6 processor. After years of using Samsung’s Exynos chip designs in its Tensor processors, Google is breaking away from the norm.
For the first time, the Pixel 11 series might feature a custom-built Tensor G6 chip that will be designed entirely by Google, marking a significant shift in the company’s approach to mobile hardware.
Previous Tensor chips, like the G4 and G5, were built on Samsung’s Exynos architecture, with Google adding its own tweaks and modifications. However, with the Pixel 11, Google is taking full control over the design of the chip, which could lead to more tailored features that specifically enhance the performance and capabilities of the Pixel 11 series. The Tensor G6 is expected to be built using TSMC’s cutting-edge 2nm process node, a huge leap forward in mobile processing power and efficiency. If everything goes as planned, the Pixel 11 could become one of the first smartphones to feature a 2nm processor, a technological milestone.
This move follows the success of the Tensor G5, which is already improving performance, power efficiency, and thermal management compared to its predecessors, thanks to its construction using TSMC’s enhanced 3nm process. Now, Google is poised to take it a step further by introducing a 2nm chip in the Pixel 11, which could provide even greater gains in speed and battery life.
There’s also competition on the horizon. Samsung’s Galaxy S26 series might also debut with a 2nm chip, the Exynos 2600, in markets outside the US, China, and Canada. This would place the Pixel 11 and the Galaxy S26 in a race to become the first devices to incorporate a 2nm processor, further heightening the stakes. However, if Samsung decides to stick with the Snapdragon 8 for the Galaxy S26, it will be the Pixel 11 that takes the crown.
With this bold step into next-gen processor design, Google is positioning the Pixel 11 series to not only push boundaries in mobile performance but also to cement its place in tech history.