A new leak from Mystic Leaks points to a notable course correction for Google’s next budget Pixel. The Pixel 11a is tipped to use the Tensor G6, bringing it back in line with the flagship-grade chip expected from the series. That would be a welcome shift after the Pixel 10a arrived with the older Tensor G4 instead of the Tensor G5 used in the Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro — a move that frustrated fans accustomed to Google’s A-series keeping the current processor while trimming costs elsewhere.
The Tensor G6 is rumored to retain the same PowerVR DXT-48-1536 GPU found in the G5, but it should still mark a step up from the Mali-G715 used in the Tensor G4. The more meaningful change may come from the modem. Google is reportedly moving away from Samsung’s Exynos modems and adopting a MediaTek M90 modem instead, a switch that could help address two long-running Tensor complaints: excessive battery drain and unreliable signal performance.
The Pixel 11a is also expected to carry a slightly smaller 4,870mAh battery, down from 5,000mAh, though efficiency gains from the new processor could allow battery life to stay roughly the same or even improve a bit. The screen is said to remain a 6.3-inch 1080 x 2424 display with a variable 60Hz to 120Hz refresh rate, while peak brightness may rise to 3,350 nits, up from 3,000 nits on the Pixel 10a.
