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Google Pixel 11: Why is Google still betting on the insufficient Tensor G6?

Google's silicon continues to be a rollercoaster of emotions for those who follow the smartphone market. While the Mountain View giant seems to have finally hit the "heart" of the processor, the news coming out about the graphics component is a real bucket of cold water. The Pixel 11, which should reach our hands in 2026, promises to be an impressive productivity machine, but it risks being a "race car" with bicycle tires when it comes to visual processing. The Tensor G6 is shaping up to be a giant with feet of clay, and I'll explain why.

Let's start with the good news, because it exists and is substantial. According to the most recent leaks, Google will finally stop playing defensively when it comes to the CPU. The Tensor G6 should adopt the new Arm architectures, known as C1 Ultra. We're talking about a high-performance core capable of reaching an impressive 4.11 GHz. To give you an idea, this is the same kind of "muscle" you expect to find in MediaTek's Dimensity 9500, a processor that usually doesn't mess around.

Despite the positive evolution regarding the potential final processing power, the leak throws a "bucket of cold water" on those expecting a more powerful GPU.

This is because the listing reveals that the Google Tensor G6 will use the PowerVR C-Series CXTP-48-1536, which could repeat the poor performance in demanding games.

Although Google may implement an updated variant of this GPU, analysts point out that the Pixel 11 line will likely not be positioned as a high-performance family for demanding games, maintaining the brand's tradition of focusing on software optimization and intelligent features.

The configuration seems to shift to a 7-core architecture, focusing on thermal efficiency and raw power when it's really needed. It's a step forward that puts the Pixel 11 at a level of competitiveness that we've rarely seen in the Tensor line. If the G5 already promised improvements with the transition to TSMC manufacturing, the G6 wants to consolidate Google as a semiconductor manufacturer that doesn't just adapt old designs.

The shadow of PowerVR and the ghost of 2021...Now, the moment when the conversation gets uncomfortable: the GPU. While Apple and Qualcomm invest billions in graphics architectures that enable Ray Tracing games and console performance in your pocket, Google seems to want to recycle the past. Data indicates that the Tensor G6 will once again use the PowerVR CXTP-48-1536 GPU.

If that name means nothing to you, let me translate: it's an architecture that originally saw the light of day in 2021. Yes, you read that right. In a world where technology becomes obsolete in six months, Google plans to launch a flagship phone in 2026 with graphics technology from five years ago. This isn't just conservative; it's a decision that could condemn the phone's performance in heavy tasks, such as high-bitrate 4K video editing or next-generation games.

Outdated drivers and the technological bottleneck...The problem isn't just the physical hardware, but how it communicates with the software. The current Tensor G5 already suffers from drivers that seem to have been forgotten, lacking support for Vulkan 1.4. The scenario could be identical with the Tensor G6. Even if Google tries to "push" clock speeds (the so-called overclock), the technological base is old and inefficient.

-Graphics architecture: Based on Imagination Technologies from 2021.

-Software limitations: Lack of native support for newer graphics APIs.

-Consequences: Less fluidity in demanding games and greater heating when trying to compensate for the age of the hardware with raw power.

-Positive point: The change to a non-Samsung modem may finally solve network problems.

A smartphone for non-gamers? This strategy from Google leaves us with a clear, but somewhat bitter message. The Pixel 11 will most likely be the best smartphone on the market for artificial intelligence, computational photography, and daily productivity tasks, thanks to the new Arm C1 Ultra cores. However, if you are a mobile gaming enthusiast or expect your thousand-euro investment to last for many years with top-tier graphics performance, the news is not good.

Despite all the cutting-edge AI features that Pixel phones offer, Google's internal Tensor chips hold them back. The Tensor G5 marked a major leap by switching to TSMC's more advanced process, reducing power consumption. Still, its performance lags behind the competition, with the GPU standing out especially as a weak point. Unfortunately, it seems Google will do little to improve the Tensor G6's GPU performance in the Pixel 11.

Leaker Mystic Leaks, known for its accurate Pixel leaks, today released some information about the Pixel 11's Tensor G6. The chip will use PowerVR's CXTP-48-1536 GPU, released in 2021.

To make matters worse, the Tensor G5's GPU performance is hampered by outdated drivers. It lacks Vulkan 1.4 support, limiting its performance in games.

With the PowerVR GPU inside the Pixel 10 offering below-average performance, it's disappointing to see that Google may not do much to improve the situation this time. While higher clock speeds and other driver optimizations should help, they alone won't be enough to compensate for the older architecture.

There is at least some good news, however. The leak suggests that the Tensor G6 will use Arm's C1 Ultra core clocked at 4.11 GHz, 4 Arm C1 Pro cores running at 3.38 GHz, and 2x Arm C1 Pro cores running at 2.65 GHz.

These are Arm's latest CPU cores and should offer a significant leap in performance and efficiency over the Cortex-X4, A-725, and A520 cores of the Tensor G5. As the name suggests, the C1 Ultra is Arm's most powerful CPU core. The Pixel will use it for intensive tasks that require power spikes. The MediaTek Dimensity 9500 uses the same Arm C1 cores.

It's not clear from the screenshot, but Google may switch to a 7-core CPU layout for the Tensor G6, using only one C1 Ultra core. For comparison, the Tensor G5 comes with an 8-core CPU.

At least from a CPU standpoint, the Pixel 11's Tensor G6 looks promising. It may not yet rival the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, but it should offer respectable performance for a 2026 flagship. GPU performance may be another story.

Google seems to believe its software can work miracles, but there are limits to what optimization can do when the silicon doesn't keep up. The Tensor G6 may be the brand's most balanced processor to date, but this insistence on an outdated GPU is a recurring mistake that leaves us wondering if Google will ever take graphics hardware as seriously as it takes its camera algorithms. In the end, you'll have an incredibly smart phone, but one that might stutter where its rivals glide effortlessly.

by mundophone