Tensor G6 might increase the Google Pixel 11, but it surely nonetheless received’t catch flagship rivals

The newest Tensor G6 leak is sweet and unhealthy 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 collection.

On the one hand, it appears like Pixel 11 clients are set to learn from a major leap in CPU efficiency. The chip is anticipated to characteristic a single Arm C1-Extremely core at 4.11GHz, alongside 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 straight to the identical CPU cohort because the powerhouse MediaTek Dimensity 9500.

This represents a doubtlessly vital increase from the Tensor G5 and its Arm Cortex-X4, A725, and A520 setup. single-core Geekbench 6 outcomes, there’s round a 40% potential uplift between the outdated and new cores, which might clearly be a major leap if it holds up. The multi-core positive factors may very well be even bigger, given the upper total clock speeds and a transfer away from very small cores.

Nevertheless, regardless of the very fashionable CPU cores, Google’s cluster stays considerably conservative in comparison with the opposite flagship chips, even these constructed with the identical off-the-shelf Arm cores. MediaTek’s Dimensity makes use of one C1-Extremely and three C1-Premium cores, that are bigger and extra highly effective than the Professionals. Likewise, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon options two massive customized Oryon cores and 6 smaller cores, providing critical heavy-lifting potential. For a model trying to merge cell and PC use circumstances, two or extra power-house cores are helpful — Tensor isn’t in that league but.

I anticipate the Pixel 11’s CPU to carry out nearer to Samsung’s Exynos 2600 inside some new Galaxy S26 fashions, which use a really comparable C1-Extremely and C1-Professional configuration. Nevertheless, with greater clock speeds, Tensor ought to push forward by a modest margin. This places it in a really strong efficiency class that can guarantee it’s a sturdy day by day performer, if not fairly benchmark-topping.

Sadly, graphics will nearly definitely 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 response to the Creativeness Applied sciences web site, its GPU vary ranks from A (smallest and most power-efficient) by way of to E (highest efficiency).

After some digging, it’s not completely clear the place the CXTP lands. The 2021-era C-series consists of the very low-end CXM for good TVs and the CXT, a extra flagship-tier product (nearly definitely not by 2026 requirements anymore) that helps ray tracing.

From what I can discern, the “P” mannequin will not be a part of the unique 2021 period C-series. If it’s something just like the DXT versus DXTP, then the “P” signifies improved energy effectivity. The DXTP arrived in early 2025 with a 20% FPS-per-Watt effectivity acquire over the DXT. The CXTP doubtless gives one thing comparable. That sounds spectacular, however how this compares to the facility draw of the 2023-era DXT within the G5 is anybody’s guess.

Precisely what this implies for the Pixel 11’s gaming efficiency is equally unknown. The C-series is clearly not designed to match the D-series’s peak efficiency, and Creativeness’s personal supplies recommend a 20% higher efficiency density per space over the CXT. In all probability, the Tensor design workforce is weighing up precisely the best way to extract the most effective efficiency from a restricted GPU silicon finances, and maybe the brand new “P” mannequin, a transfer to a smaller 2nm node, or just licensing prices have shifted this barely in favor of the CXTP over final 12 months’s DXT, whereas maintaining efficiency aggressive with the earlier era.

Just like the DXT within the Tensor G5, the CXTP can help ray-racing. Nevertheless, this requires extra cores and house, and I believe Google is transferring to the C-series to avoid wasting on silicon space. So don’t guess on ray-tracing this era both.

Because the graph above reveals, the Tensor G6 would want to make substantial adjustments to its GPU configuration to meet up with the competitors. Even when the brand new 2nm manufacturing course of and extra environment friendly GPU cores might allow greater clock speeds and/or higher sustained efficiency, utilizing an improved 2021-era structure is more likely to be a sidegrade at greatest. Because of this, the Pixel 11 is sort of sure to stay a extra sluggish gaming telephone than 2026 flagship telephones powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, Dimensity 9500, and, fairly doubtless, even the AMD-equipped Exynos 2600 too.

Google’s customized silicon venture hasn’t ever actually been about chasing the benchmark leaderboards, and the Tensor G6 isn’t going to instantly change the established order. We would have to attend for the Tensor G7 or longer for that.

For common app efficiency, the CPU upgrades will probably be noticeable for each the substantial efficiency uplift and the effectivity positive factors from transferring to a extra environment friendly structure. Sadly, players don’t look set to obtain the identical advantages, however maybe the Pixel 11 will sip on battery life sufficient to really feel like considerably of an improve for these longer classes. In any case, that is unlikely to hassle collection followers who aren’t bothered about Tensor’s lack of graphics grunt.

As a substitute, Tensor is a way for Google to pursue its AI ambitions with out being beholden to different silicon companions. Working example, the chip is poised to change from its long-running however typically troubled use of Samsung Exynos modem to the MediaTek M90. We’ll have to check it to see if this lastly rids the collection of connectivity issues and battery drain points 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” picture sign course of for the Tensor G6. These upgrades alone would enable Google to introduce fascinating new options within the realms of on-device AI and computational images, which is able to little doubt be far greater promoting factors for the Pixel 11 collection than efficiency ever may very well be. With that in thoughts, and ignoring opponents’ strikes, the Tensor G6 might properly become a notable improve when the Pixel 11 collection lands later this 12 months.