Tensor G6 might spice up the Google Pixel 11, but it surely nonetheless received’t catch flagship competitors

The most recent Tensor G6 leak is excellent and dangerous information for the Pixel 11, including extra weight to what we already anticipated from Google’s next-gen chip destined for this 12 months’s Pixel 11 sequence.

At the one hand, it looks as if Pixel 11 consumers are set to take pleasure in a vital jump in CPU efficiency. The chip is predicted to characteristic a unmarried Arm C1-Extremely core at 4.11GHz, along 4 C1-Professional cores at 3.38GHz and two C1-Professional cores at 2.65GHz. Google is totally skipping the Arm Cortex X925 period, leaping directly to the similar CPU cohort because the powerhouse MediaTek Dimensity 9500.

This represents a probably important spice up from the Tensor G5 and its Arm Cortex-X4, A725, and A520 setup. Taking a look at single-core Geekbench 6 effects, there’s round a 40% doable uplift between the outdated and new cores, which might clearly be a vital jump if it holds up. The multi-core beneficial properties might be even better, given the upper general clock speeds and a transfer clear of very small cores.

Then again, in spite of the very fashionable CPU cores, Google’s cluster stays reasonably conservative in comparison to the opposite flagship chips, even the ones constructed with the similar off-the-shelf Arm cores. MediaTek’s Dimensity makes use of one C1-Extremely and 3 C1-Top class cores, which can be better and extra tough than the Professionals. Likewise, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon options two massive customized Oryon cores and 6 smaller cores, providing critical heavy-lifting doable. For a logo having a look to merge cell and PC use circumstances, two or extra power-house cores are really useful — Tensor isn’t in that league but.

I be expecting the Pixel 11’s CPU to accomplish nearer to Samsung’s Exynos 2600 inside of some new Galaxy S26 fashions, which use an excessively equivalent C1-Extremely and C1-Professional configuration. Then again, with upper clock speeds, Tensor must push forward by way of a modest margin. This places it in an excessively cast efficiency class that can make certain it’s a powerful day by day performer, if now not somewhat benchmark-topping.

Sadly, graphics will virtually indisputably stay the Pixel’s Achilles’ heel. The Tensor G6 is reportedly switching to a PowerVR CXTP-48-1536. The Tensor G5 sports activities a DXT-48-1536 and, in step with the Creativeness Applied sciences site, its GPU vary ranks from A (smallest and maximum power-efficient) thru to E (easiest efficiency).

After some digging, it’s now not solely transparent the place the CXTP lands. The 2021-era C-series is composed of the very low-end CXM for sensible TVs and the CXT, a extra flagship-tier product (virtually not at all by way of 2026 requirements anymore) that helps ray tracing.

From what I will discern, the “P” type isn’t a part of the unique 2021 period C-series. If it’s anything else just like the DXT as opposed to DXTP, then the “P” signifies stepped forward persistent potency. The DXTP arrived in early 2025 with a 20% FPS-per-Watt potency achieve over the DXT. The CXTP most likely provides one thing equivalent. That sounds spectacular, however how this compares to the ability draw of the 2023-era DXT within the G5 is any person’s wager.

Precisely what this implies for the Pixel 11’s gaming efficiency is similarly unknown. The C-series is obviously now not designed to compare the D-series’s height efficiency, and Creativeness’s personal fabrics counsel a 20% higher efficiency density in line with house over the CXT. In all chance, the Tensor design staff is weighing up precisely how one can extract the most efficient efficiency from a restricted GPU silicon price range, and possibly the brand new “P” type, a transfer to a smaller 2nm node, or just licensing prices have shifted this relatively in prefer of the CXTP over remaining 12 months’s DXT, whilst preserving efficiency aggressive with the former technology.

Just like the DXT within the Tensor G5, the CXTP can strengthen ray-racing. Then again, this calls for further cores and area, and I think Google is shifting to the C-series to save lots of on silicon house. So don’t guess on ray-tracing this technology both.

Because the graph above presentations, the Tensor G6 would want to make really extensive adjustments to its GPU configuration to meet up with the contest. Despite the fact that the brand new 2nm production procedure and extra effective GPU cores may permit upper clock speeds and/or higher sustained efficiency, the usage of an stepped forward 2021-era structure could be a sidegrade at highest. Consequently, the Pixel 11 is nearly sure to stay a extra slow gaming telephone than 2026 flagship telephones powered by way of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, Dimensity 9500, and, somewhat most likely, even the AMD-equipped Exynos 2600 too.

Google’s customized silicon undertaking hasn’t ever in point of fact been about chasing the benchmark leaderboards, and the Tensor G6 isn’t going to alternate the established order. We may need to watch for the Tensor G7 or longer for that.

For basic app efficiency, the CPU upgrades can be noticeable for each the really extensive efficiency uplift and the potency beneficial properties from shifting to a extra effective structure. Unfortunately, avid gamers don’t glance set to obtain the similar advantages, however possibly the Pixel 11 will sip on battery lifestyles sufficient to really feel like reasonably of an improve for the ones longer classes. Finally, that is not likely to bother sequence enthusiasts who aren’t about Tensor’s loss of graphics grunt.

As a substitute, Tensor is a method for Google to pursue its AI ambitions with out being beholden to different silicon companions. Working example, the chip is poised to modify from its long-running however regularly use of Samsung Exynos modem to the MediaTek M90. We’ll have to check it to peer if this in spite of everything rids the sequence of connectivity issues and battery drain problems as soon as and for all.

Likewise, Google is prepping its in-house Titan M3 safety chip and a next-generation “Santafe” TPU and “Metis” symbol sign procedure for the Tensor G6. The ones upgrades on my own would permit Google to introduce fascinating new options within the nation-states of on-device AI and computational images, which is able to undoubtedly be a ways larger promoting issues for the Pixel 11 sequence than efficiency ever might be. With that during thoughts, and ignoring competition’ strikes, the Tensor G6 may neatly develop into a notable improve when the Pixel 11 sequence lands later this 12 months.