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

Mystic Leaks suggests that the Pixel 11a will return to featuring a flagship-grade processor with the Tensor G6. Rather than the Tensor G5 found in the Pixel 10 and 10 Pro, the Pixel 10a shipped with the previous generation Tensor G4. That was a huge disappointment since, typically, the Pixel a lineup kept the modern processor, but cut corners in other places to keep costs down.

The Tensor G6 is rumored to feature the same PowerVR DXT-48-1536 GPU as the G5, but it should still be an improvement over the Mali-G715 in the Tensor G4. The big upgrade is that the G6 moves on from Samsung’s Exynos modems and instead uses a MediaTek M90 modem. That should help with two serious problems that have plagued Tensor chips for a long time — battery drain and dropped signals.

The Pixel 11a is expected to have a slightly smaller battery, 4,870mAh, compared to 5,000mAh, but efficiency improvements from the new processor mean that battery life should remain the same or even improve slightly. The display will still be a 6.3-inch 1080 x 2424 panel with a variable 60 to 120Hz refresh rate. But it will get a bump to a peak brightness of 3,350 nits, up from the 3,000 on the 10a.