The best Google Pixel 10 deals of July 2026 — free phones, straight discounts, and more

The Google Pixel 10 series includes three flagship phones — the base model Pixel 10, the Pixel 10 Pro, and the large Pixel 10 Pro XL. Regardless of which device you choose, there are plenty of deals that could make these AI-boosted Android phones dirt cheap (or even free) if you play your cards right, and I've dropped a selection of this month's best offers below.

The deals on display for July 2026 range from simple no-strings discounts to incredible trade-in opportunities and carrier promotions. Didn't find anything today? Check back later to see what's new: with the launch of the Pixel 11 lineup just around the corner, deals on last year's model are certain to get even more impressive in the coming weeks. So what are we waiting for? Let's jump right in.

Quick links

• Google Pixel 10 review: ★★★☆
• Google Pixel 10 Pro, XL review: ★★★☆
• T-Mobile: FREE Pixel 10 Pro; up to $1,000 off Pixel 10 Pro XL
• Verizon: Pixel 10 Pro XL from $5 per month; trade-in savings
• AT&T: FREE Pixel 10 phones with eligible trade-in, new line
• Amazon: up to $300 off the Pixel 10 series
• Best Buy: up to $300 off the Pixel 10 series
• Boost Mobile: up to $700 off with eligible unlimited plan

Google Pixel 10 deals

T-Mobile: FREE with new line on most plans

Add a line with "most plans" at T-Mobile and you'll get enough promo credits to make the base model Google Pixel 10 completely free! Eligible data plans range from T-Mo's budget Better Value plan to the comprehensive Experience Beyond plan. View Deal

Amazon: Score $200 off the unlocked Google Pixel 10 (128GB)

Buy the 128GB Pixel 10 unlocked from Amazon and you'll score a straight $200 off your purchase, no strings attached. You can also score up to $590 of additional credit (in the form of an Amazon gift card) when you trade in an old or broken phone. View Deal

AT&T: Just $10.99/month with any plan

Add a line with any unlimited plan at AT&T and the carrier will drop the price of the Google Pixel 10 down to just $10.99 per month, no trade-in required!View Deal

Best Buy: $200 off the unlocked Google Pixel 10 (128GB)

Just like Amazon, Best Buy will give you $200 off the Google Pixel 10 when you buy the phone unlocked through the retailer's site. View Deal

Boost Mobile: $500 off with Unlimited Premium plan

Add a line with Boost Mobile's Unlimited Premium plan and the popular MVNO carrier will give you $500 off the Google Pixel 10, no trade-in requiredView Deal

Google Pixel 10 Pro deals

T-Mobile: FREE with Experience Beyond plan

Add a line with the Experience Beyond plan and T-Mobile will give you $999 in promo credits over 24 months, making the powerful Google Pixel 10 Pro completely free. If you don't need all of the bells and whistles included in the Experience Beyond plan, you can also add a line with most plans to score $800 off the phone. View Deal

Verizon: FREE with eligible unlimited plan

Add a line with Verizon's Unlimited Welcome, Unlimited Plus, or Unlimited Ultimate plan and you'll get enough promo credits to make the excellent Pixel 10 Pro completely free. There's also some trade-in credit up for grabs if you'd rather go that route. View Deal

Amazon: Score $300 off the unlocked Google Pixel 10 Pro

Buy the Google Pixel 10 Pro (128GB) from Amazon today and you'll receive a straight 30% off your purchase. Just keep in mind that this discount is only available for the Obsidian variant of the phone. View Deal

AT&T: FREE Pixel 10 Pro with trade-in and unlimited plan

Add a line with an eligible unlimited plan and AT&T will give you a free Pixel 10 Pro when you trade in ANY Google phone, regardless of age or condition. View Deal

Best Buy: Score $300 off the Google Pixel 10 Pro (128GB)

Need a bit more power? Buy the Pixel 10 Pro unlocked from Amazon and you'll get a straight $300 off your purchase instantly.View Deal

Boost Mobile: $600 off with Unlimited Premium plan

Add a line with the Unlimited Plan and Boost Mobile will carve $600 off the price of the Google Pixel 10 Pro, knocking the phone down to just $399.99 (plus the price of the wireless).View Deal

Google Pixel 10 Pro XL deals

T-Mobile: Score $1,000 off with Experience Beyond plan

Similar to the other deals on this list, you can score $1,000 off the Pixel 10 Pro XL when you add a line with the Experience Beyond plan on T-Mobile's site. Alternatively, you can save $800 with most plans through the carrier.View Deal

Verizon: Just $5 per month with eligible unlimited plan

Add a line with Verizon's comprehensive Unlimited Ultimate plan and you'll get $1,019.99 in promo credits over 36 months, knocking the price of the Pixel 10 Pro XL down to just $5 per month. View Deal

Amazon: Score $250 off the unlocked Google Pixel 10 Pro XL

Buy the super-sized Pixel 10 Pro XL from Amazon and you'll score a straight $250 off your purchase, depending on the color and storage configuration. According to the retailer, stock appears to be low, so don't wait too long if you're interested.View Deal

AT&T: FREE with eligible unlimited plan and trade-in

Add a line with an eligible unlimited plan and AT&T will give you up to $1,249.99 in promo credits when you send in an old or broken device on the carrier's website. View Deal

Best Buy: Get $250 off the unlocked Google Pixel 10 Pro XL (256GB)

Just like Amazon, Best Buy is shaving a nice $250 off the unlocked Google Pixel 10 Pro XL for a limited time, knocking the price of the 256GB phone down to $949. View Deal

Boost Mobile: $700 off with Unlimited Premium plan

New and existing Boost Mobile customers who add line with the Unlimited Premium plan will get $700 off the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL, no trade-in required. View Deal

FAQ

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

When does the Google Pixel 11 come out?

Although we don't know much for certain, recent leaks and rumors about the Google Pixel 11 series have left very little to the imagination. That said, Google has officially announced that the next Made by Google event will be held on August 12th at 6pm EST, which means we're likely to get our first look at the Pixel 11 lineup on that date.

How much does the Google Pixel 10 cost?

The Google Pixel 10 starts at $799 for the 128GB version, while the Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL start at $999 (128GB) and $1,199 (256GB), respectively. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the base model Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro both kept the same starting price as their Pixel 9 counterparts, which feels somewhat unusual in a time of widespread price increases on tech. The Pixel 10 Pro XL, on the other hand, did receive a $100 price hike while removing the 128GB storage option.

If you want something affordable, it's also worth mentioning that the Google Pixel 10a is an option for budget-minded consumers, retailing for just $499. There's also the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold, which is a premium foldable phone that starts at a hefty $1,799.

Which Google Pixel 10 should I buy?

It depends on what you're looking for in a smartphone. All three devices in the flagship lineup will give you ultra-efficient performance with powerful cameras and a bunch of fun AI features, but that doesn't mean that all three of the devices are made equal.

Starting at $799, the Google Pixel 10 will give you the perfect entry-level experience, with a 6.3-inch OLED display, 12GB of RAM, and a long-lasting 4,970mAh battery. If you need a bit more power, you can upgrade to the Pixel 10 Pro and receive 16GB of RAM, better camera tech, and up to 1TB of storage. The Pixel 10 Pro XL is very similar to the standard Pixel 10 Pro, you just get a larger 6.8-inch Super Actua OLED display with a considerable boost in battery size.

No matter which Google Pixel 10 model you choose, all three devices boast the Tensor G5 chipset with a ton of AI-boosted software features and seven years of software support guaranteed. Check the table below for some more granular info on the flagship series.

Category	Pixel 10	Pixel 10 Pro	Pixel 10 Pro XL
Display	6.3-inch Actua OLED, 1080 x 2424, 422 PPI, 60-120Hz, 3000 nits	6.3-inch Super Actua OLED, 1280 x 2856, 495 PPI, 1-120Hz, 3300 nits	6.8-inch Super Actua OLED, 1344 x 2992, 486 PPI, 1-120Hz, 3300 nits
Processor	Google Tensor G5	Google Tensor G5	Google Tensor G5
Memory and storage	12GB, 128GB/256GB	16GB, 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB	16GB, 256GB/512GB/1TB
Cameras	48MP main with macro focus, 13MP 120-degree ultrawide, 10.8MP 5x telephoto, 10.5MP 95-degree Dual PD AF selfie, 4K/60 10-bit HDR on all cameras	50MP main, 48MP 123-degree ultrawide with macro focus, 48MP 5x telephoto, 42MP 103-degree Dual PD AF selfie, 4K/60 10-bit HDR on all cameras, 8K/30 on rear cameras	50MP main, 48MP 123-degree ultrawide with macro focus, 48MP 5x telephoto, 42MP 103-degree Dual PD AF selfie, 4K/60 10-bit HDR on all cameras, 8K/30 on rear cameras
Battery and charging	4970mAh, 30W wired, 15W Qi2 Pixelsnap wireless	4870mAh, 30W wired, 15W Qi2 Pixelsnap wireless	5200mAh, 45W wired, 25W Qi2 Pixelsnap wireless
Dimensions	152.8mm x 72mm x 8.6mm	152.8mm x 72mm x 8.6mm	162.8mm x 76.6mm x 8.5mm
Weight	204g	207g	232g

Google Images turns 25: celebrate with a 'dynamic gallery,' Nano Banana in AI Overviews

What you need to know

• Google Images celebrates 25 years, and it's rolling out a new "immersive, browseable gallery" in July.
• Users will find a gallery in Images that updates in real-time based on their interests, with an added option to save content into "Collections."
• AI Overviews receives Nano Banana, meaning users can ask the AI to generate images based on their prompt.

This week marks 25 years of Google Images, a part of the company's search experience that's often overlooked. That's changing with a complete redesign that updates in real-time.

Today (July 14), Google is celebrating 25 years of its image search experience with an update that's going to change the game. The company is starting to roll out a complete redesign of Images, calling it a "brand new browseable home." In a way, Google Images looks inspired by Keep or the Photos app. Users will find images spread out, almost like a collage. Google says this "dynamic, immersive gallery" will still display results from across the web.

However, it will also "update in real-time, intelligently tailored to your unique interests." Google Images features a series of tabs right above its results. These tabs go beyond hopping between other Google-related results. Users will find "Saves and For You" tabs. The first influences the rest: users can save photos they find on Google Images to a "Collection" and name it.

Your Collections will appear beside the For You, so you can "jump back in and continue exploring based on what inspires you." This redesign for Google Images will roll out over the next few weeks for English desktop users in the U.S. Users are encouraged to sign in to their Google Account once it arrives.

Google

Google

The second update brings AI Overviews into the mix. Google says this update is for users who "have a highly specific vision where an image doesn’t yet exist." Google's Nano Banana brings its image generation capabilities directly into AI Overviews. Text prompts telling the AI to "create a visual" or "help me visualize" will produce "high-quality, custom visuals." The top of your AI Overview will show the generated photo, along with a few ways to tell the bot to tweak it.

Moreover, Google Images will appear beneath it with a few real-world examples that fit your prompt to help.

25 years of Image Search

(Image credit: Google)

Since this is a birthday bash, Google is walking back 25 years, back to where its image search started. The company recalled an update in 2001 after Jennifer Lopez's captivating green Versace dress stunned the world a year prior. Google said, "People didn’t just want to read about the dress — they wanted to see it. So in July 2001, we launched Google Images, making it possible for the first time to search and instantly explore visual content from across the web."

Eight years later, in 2009, Similar Images debuted. Web searches can often turn up results that you're not interested in. With "find similar images," users could ensure they got the results they wanted (i.e., bow and arrows, not a hair bow). Circle to Search in 2024 was a major milestone for Google after Lens took over in 2018 (then multi-search for Lens in 2022). Now, in 2026, Google has relied on its "intelligent search box" to help carry user queries for text-based and image searches.

Android Central's Take

I don't use Google Images that often. It's been like that for years. I use it occasionally for looking up cities in different countries, or for snapshots of movies. Google's trying to change that. This update makes Google Images a better assistant for inspiration or ideas if you're going to travel. The real-time updating aspect is another important aspect of this new sentiment that looks pretty good. Here's to another 25, Google Images.

Chrome may be the default browser on Android, but more people are trying this instead

What you need to know

• Opera says its monthly active users on Android grew 66% in the UK and 40% in the US year over year in Q2.
• Opera credits its growth to features Chrome lacks out of the box, like a free VPN, ad blocker, and built-in AI tools.
• The company says its European momentum has continued following the EU's Digital Markets Act, boosting both new users and retention.

Chrome may come preinstalled on almost every Android phone, but Opera says more users are actively choosing its browser instead.

Google has been working hard to add more and more features to Chrome on Android. We recently saw Chrome rolling out Gemini features to more countries, but it seems that still isn't enough to keep everyone on board. As it turns out, more and more users are switching to, or at least trying, third-party browsers, including Opera.

In its latest report, Opera says a growing number of users are making the move to its browser. According to the company, monthly active users of Opera on Android grew 66% in the U.K. and 40% in the U.S. year over year in the second quarter this year, suggesting that plenty of people are looking beyond the default browser on their phones.

More people are ditching Chrome than you'd think

(Image credit: Opera)

The company says this isn't limited to the U.S. and U.K. either. Opera reports that its momentum across Europe has continued following the European Union's Digital Markets Act. It also notes that this isn't just about acquiring new users, but retaining them too, thanks to the kind of features Opera offers on Android.

The company credits its growth to features Chrome doesn't offer out of the box, including a free unlimited VPN, a built-in ad blocker, AI tools, and more.

Opera also says recent additions, like a dedicated football hub on its Android browser, have made it easier for users to check World Cup stats and details, which is bringing even more people to its browser.

Android Central's Take

I'm still firmly a Chrome-first user on my Pixel 10 Pro, but I've been giving Opera a shot over the past few months, and it's become my go-to second browser, if you will. Do you use different browsers for different tasks on your Android phone? Let us know in the comments below.

You can now spot AI-generated Google ads, if you know where to look

What you need to know

• Google is rolling out AI labels for ads across Search, YouTube, and Discover to make AI-generated or AI-edited advertising more transparent.
• The new "Created or edited with AI" disclosure appears in My Ad Center under the new "How this ad was made" section, with the rollout happening globally.
• Ads made with Google's AI tools are labeled automatically, while advertisers using third-party AI tools must disclose AI use themselves.

Google is finally adding another layer of transparency to AI-generated advertising, giving people a better idea of when the ads they're seeing were created or edited with artificial intelligence.

The company announced in a blog post that ads across Google Search, YouTube, and Discover will now feature a new disclosure in My Ad Center that says “Created or edited with AI.”

To see it, tap the three-dot menu or info icon on an ad and go to the new “How this ad was made” section, which explains whether AI was used to create the ad. Google says the rollout is happening worldwide.

The labels work differently depending on how the ad was created. If advertisers use Google’s own generative AI tools, the disclosure will be automatically added by the company.

(Image credit: Google)

However, if they use third-party AI tools, they are expected to self-report by manually applying the label. In some markets those disclosures might even show up directly on the ad, rather than tucked away in the information panel.

Android Central's Take

Personally I’m glad Google is pushing for more transparency because AI-generated ads aren’t going away anytime soon, and users deserve to know when they’re looking at machine-made content. This additional context can help people make better-informed decisions, rather than taking polished marketing at face value. But I can't stop rolling my eyes at the fact that these labels are buried behind yet another menu and that third-party AI disclosures are mostly contingent on advertisers telling the truth. That sounds good in theory, but the internet hasn't exactly made a reputation for itself on the honor system. If Google wants to really build trust with users, it should make AI labels unmissable, not optional detective work.

Google says the update aims to help users better understand the content they’re seeing and give advertisers clear tools to meet evolving transparency standards.

The company has already made disclosures mandatory for digitally altered political ads and has broadened technologies such as SynthID and C2PA to help improve AI content identification. The broader rollout takes these transparency efforts beyond election ads and into everyday commercial campaigns.

That said, the system isn't foolproof. Only content created with Google’s AI products is automatically labeled; everything else is up to advertisers being honest about their use of AI. That leaves room for bad actors to slip through unless Google develops stronger detection methods down the road.

AULUMU made the most innovative magnetic phone stand I've seen in a while

Gadget Weekly

(Image credit: Android Central)

Join Namerah Saud Fatmi as she explores the cool, quirky, and sometimes downright odd world of smartphone accessories, gadgets, and other nerdy toys every week.

Phone grips and stands are a dime a dozen, and making your mark in the industry at the level of brands like PopSockets is challenging.

Enter AULUMU. This award-winning Chinese brand aims to "reimagine urban tech accessories" with its futuristic, almost cyberpunk aesthetic. The brand launched its innovative G09 Infinite 360° Magnetic Stand in January 2026, followed by a see-through version, the G09 Ghost Transparent Infinite 360° Magnetic Stand, in May 2026.

I have been testing the G09 Infinite 360° Magnetic Stand for a month, and it is a breath of fresh air, something truly innovative in the phone accessories segment.

Puzzling at first, genius once you figure it out

(Image credit: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)

AULUMU sent me the Ghost Transparent version of the G09 stand in Yellow. This version costs $39.98 and comes in Yellow, Orange, Translucent White, and Translucent Gray. Meanwhile, the regular opaque variant costs $45.98 and comes in Black and Silver.

AULUMU includes an adhesive magnetic adapter ring in the box, as well as a very helpful manual with easy-to-follow diagrams. Without the manual, I was very lost and couldn't make head or tail of the stand.

Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central

Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central

Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central

Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central

The AULUMU G09 Infinite 360° Magnetic Stand is a 3-axis magnetic stand with dual-sided magnetic attachments. These two main sides slide open on a tight hinge, so depending on the angle you set the stand at, it stays put. It's confusing when described with words, but the pictures provide much-needed context.

Twist it, turn it, bend it, fold it

The AULUMU G09 stand can be contorted into countless angles. Since it's a magnetic accessory, you can rotate it on the back of the phone too. The N52 magnets embedded within the stand are very strong.

This makes for a highly adjustable phone stand that weighs only 39g (35g for the opaque variant) and isn't too bulky. Whether in portrait mode or landscape mode, you can find an angle that works for you. Here are some of the many configurations I tried out.

Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central

Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central

Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central

Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central

Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central

It also has a removable silicone finger strap, so you don't have to take the AULUMU G09 Infinite 360° Magnetic Stand off. It can stay at the back of your phone, replacing your PopSocket or whatever grip you've been using.

Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central

Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central

You can easily use the stand with a MagSafe or Qi2 magnetic case on your phone, though that will naturally thicken up your smartphone setup.

Stacks on stacks

One of the many advantages of the double-sided magnets is that you can stack magnetic accessories on top of the G09 stand. So if you really prefer a grip with a popping top, you could just add it to the AULUMU G09 Infinite 360° Magnetic Stand.

Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central

Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central

Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central

Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central

You can take this even further by using the double-sided magnetic arm or attachment to stick your phone to a metal surface.

And because of the circular shape on both sides of the stand, you can literally hang your phone from the handles or knobs, too. This configuration makes the G09 stand look like a pair of handcuffs, but it works, so I won't knock it.

The AULUMU G09 stand innovates in a meaningful way and is definitely worth the buy

(Image credit: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)

AULUMU might be writing up a steep bill, but the G09 Ghost Transparent Infinite 360° Magnetic Stand definitely feels worth the $40. It combines so many functions into one, so I think it really offers fantastic value for money.

The G09 stand takes some time to figure out, though, so you'll have to keep the instruction manual with you the first few days. But once you get used to it, it's really good fun to use.

I think the only real question here is whether you should get the costlier opaque version of the G09 Infinite 360° Magnetic Stand. At 35g, it's only 4g lighter than the Ghost Transparent variant. Is that worth $6 more? Personally, I don't think so. Besides, the see-through design comes in more exciting colorways anyway.

AULUMU

G09 Ghost Transparent Infinite 360° Magnetic Stand

Cyberpunk tech for all

The AULUMU G09 Ghost Transparent Infinite 360° Magnetic Stand comes in a mix of fun colors, has a magnetic adapter ring in the box, and can bend and twist in unimaginable ways. It's an excellent phone stand overall.

AULUMU

G09 Infinite 360° Magnetic Stand

Lightweight build

The opaque version of the G09 Infinite 360 Magnetic Stand weighs 4g lighter than the Ghost Transparent iteration. You get all the same perks otherwise, as this is exactly the same innovative product.

The Pixel 11 Pro Fold just leaked, and it's still missing one feature I was hoping for

What you need to know

• A new leak gives us a clear look at the Pine green Pixel 11 Pro Fold, similar to last year's Pixel 10 Pro Fold shade.
• The camera module is slightly redesigned, with edge-to-edge sensor pills and the flash now integrated inside the island.
• There's no sign of the rumored Pixel Glow LED in the render, though a hidden sensor in the module can't be ruled out.

We're just about a month away from the official reveal of the Google Pixel 11 series. And now, ahead of the launch, a new leak has given us a clear look at the green color of the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, along with its slightly redesigned camera module.

Google has confirmed that it'll reveal its new generation of Pixel devices on August 12th at 6:00 PM ET in New York. Unlike past Pixel launches, there have been noticeably fewer leaks about the Pixel 11 series this time around (though no major upgrades are expected anyway). Still, a new leak from Mystic Leaks on Telegram has given us a clear look at the Pixel 11 Pro Fold.

The leak shows off the Pine variant of the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, which looks similar to the green shade Google released with the Pixel 10 Pro Fold last year. This color is also expected to be available on the Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL.

(Image credit: Mystic Leaks on Telegram)

The overall design, according to the leak, stays mostly the same. It's really just the camera island that looks slightly different this time. Compared to before, the pills housing the camera sensors now (mostly) stretch edge-to-edge across the module. The flash, which used to sit on the outside, now appears to be integrated within the module itself.

The camera module also looks a little squarer this time, compared to the slightly more rectangular shape before. You can also spot a faint golden hue on the 'G' logo on the back. Otherwise, the phone looks largely similar to last year's model.

One disappointing thing, though, is that there's no sign of the Pixel Glow LED in this render. Google is reportedly integrating Pixel Glow across its portfolio.

We first saw it on the Google Home Speaker earlier this year, and it was also featured as part of a Googlebook showcase earlier this year. But this Pixel 11 Pro Fold doesn't show anything of the sort. It's possible there's a hidden light sensor within the camera module itself, but we can't say for sure.

Either way, everything will be confirmed at Google's upcoming showcase, since we're only about a month out from the Pixel 11 Pro Fold's release.

In the meantime, if you're after a great deal on a foldable, the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold is currently down by nearly 20% on Amazon, making it one of the best foldable deals right now. That's especially worth considering given that prices for this year's upcoming foldables are expected to climb north of $2,000.

Pixel 11 Pro Fold FCC filing hints at Google's biggest modem upgrade yet

What you need to know

• Pixel 11 Pro Fold FCC filing points to a major modem shake-up, with Google expected to replace Samsung's Exynos modem with MediaTek's M90.
• Tensor G6 could complete Google's break from Samsung, following Tensor G5's reported move to TSMC for chip manufacturing.
• MediaTek's M90 brings meaningful upgrades, including up to 12Gbps 5G speeds, satellite connectivity, dual active 5G SIM support, and AI-powered power efficiency.

Google’s long-term partnership with Samsung for Pixel modem hardware might be ending, and a new regulatory filing indicates that change is coming sooner rather than later.

A new FCC filing for the upcoming Pixel 11 Pro Fold seems to confirm that Google is ready to switch to a MediaTek modem and replace Samsung’s Exynos solution, as spotted by Android Authority. The filing corroborates earlier reports that the Tensor G6 platform will be paired with the company's M90 5G modem, instead of using Samsung's modem technology.

Google has been heavily reliant on Samsung for chip design and modem components since the original Tensor chip debuted in the Pixel 6 series. Although Tensor G5 is reported to have moved to TSMC for manufacturing, Google is still using a Samsung modem. The one for a clean break seems to be Tensor G6.

For Pixel users, the modem swap might matter more than benchmark numbers. Samsung's modems have been among the more common complaints on recent Pixel phones, with users citing inconsistent cellular reception, increased battery drain, and less reliable signal strength compared to other flagship devices. A more recent modem could fix those long-term pain points.

On paper, MediaTek’s M90 modem has some promising upgrades. It supports download speeds of up to 12Gbps, satellite connectivity, dual active 5G SIM support, and AI-powered power management that promises to improve efficiency without compromising performance. With the rumored Tensor G6 shift to TSMC's 2nm manufacturing process, the Pixel 11 lineup could deliver meaningful gains in battery life, thermal performance, and overall connectivity rather than just the raw processing power.

If the leaks are true, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold could be the company's first foldable to come with a MediaTek modem, and that points to a wider change for the entire Pixel 11 lineup.

Android Central's Take

I think this is one of the smartest hardware decisions Google could make. Pixel phones have always had great cameras and some genuinely helpful AI features, but modem performance has been a frustrating Achilles heel for years. If the move to MediaTek finally solves the connectivity and battery problems, most users will probably not care whose logo is on the modem — they will be happy with a Pixel that has a better signal and lasts longer.