Pixel 11a leak points to a real upgrade

Google’s Pixel 11a could end up being a far more compelling budget phone than its recent predecessors. According to Mystic Leaks, the upcoming device may ship with Google’s Tensor G6 processor, giving it the same chip as this year’s flagship Pixel lineup.

That would be a notable shift after the Pixel 10a, which was widely seen as underwhelming because it offered almost no meaningful upgrades over the Pixel 9a. If the leak is accurate, Google may finally be giving buyers of its cheaper Pixel a clearer reason to choose it.

The rumored MediaTek M90 modem bundled with the Tensor G6 could matter just as much as the processor itself. As The Verge notes, that upgrade should help address two persistent problems with older Tensor chips: battery drain and dropped signal. Even though the Pixel 11a is said to have a slightly smaller 4,870mAh battery than the Pixel 10a’s 5,100mAh cell, the newer hardware could still improve overall battery life.

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Other reported specs suggest Google is keeping most of the formula intact. The Pixel 11a is expected to have a 6.3-inch 1080 x 2424 display with a 60Hz to 120Hz refresh rate, making it otherwise very similar to the 10a.

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Google Pixel 10a review photo. © Adriano Contreras / Gizmodo

Google’s apparent willingness to upgrade the chip is especially striking at a time of rising component costs. The source says global smartphone shipments fell to their lowest point since 2013, dropping 11% in the second quarter of this year. It also says every major tech company is expected to raise smartphone prices this year, as higher memory costs squeeze the market.

If Google can keep the Pixel 11a in the mid-range — the Pixel 10a launched at $500 — it may stand out for buyers who want a new phone without paying flagship prices. For now, though, the report remains unconfirmed until Google unveils its next Pixel lineup at the Made by Google event on Aug. 12.