I can forgive the Tensor G6's performance if the Pixel 11 delivers on these things

Google's in-house Tensor chips have never been known for their performance. And from the looks of it, the Google Pixel 11's Tensor G6 won't change that either.

Google is still using a GPU that's at least a few generations old, and efficiency remains a concern with Tensor chips.

But I don't need the Pixel 11 to win Geekbench or gaming tests. I would be more than happy if Google fixed the long-standing Tensor issues with its latest SoC and helped the Pixel 11 deliver a better overall experience.

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Posts 7
By  Jon Gilbert

Peak performance means nothing if it disappears

Staying fast under sustained loads is more important than peak performance

Tensor chips have two major issues. Their performance trails the best Qualcomm and MediaTek chips by at least a few generations. Second, they are not as efficient and tend to heat up quickly under sustained loads.

I can live with Google's focus on real-world usability over performance. But that argument falls apart the moment I push a Pixel, and it starts overheating. As someone who has used a Google Pixel 8 Pro for nearly three years, I've experienced this firsthand.

Every time I used the phone in direct sunlight for navigation, it would heat up, throttling the CPU and creating a laggy, frustrating experience. The same thing happened when I recorded 4K videos for a few minutes.

I had hoped Google's switch to TSMC's more efficient 3nm node with the Tensor G5 would solve the problem. That transition helped, but the efficiency gains were not as big as expected.

That's why I am more interested in the Tensor G6's sustained performance than its peak performance.

I want the Pixel 11 to remain responsive after 20 minutes of navigation in direct sunlight. I want it to record 4K HDR videos for more than 10 minutes without turning into a lava lamp.

Google says the Tensor G6 delivers 15% faster app launch times and 25% faster web browsing. While impressive, that's not the number that excites me.

A full battery should survive the real world

Google's 30-hour claim means little if 5G drains the battery

Samsung finally jumped on the silicon-carbon battery bandwagon with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra this year.

This allowed the company to bump the battery capacity to 5,000mAh, a huge jump from the 4,400mAh cell found in its predecessor. And it achieved this without making the phone thicker or heavier.

Likewise, Apple equipped the iPhone 17 Pro Max with its biggest-ever battery, ensuring it delivers the longest battery life yet on an iPhone. If rumors are correct, the company will further push the envelope this year with the iPhone 18 Pro Max.

Google, being Google, did exactly the opposite with the Pixel 11 Pro lineup this year. The Pixel 11 Pro and its XL sibling come with slightly smaller batteries than their predecessors. Still, the company claims the Pixel 11 series will deliver over 30 hours of runtime.

That's the same claim it has made for the past few generations, but the phones have never consistently delivered those numbers in real-world use.

Because of their inefficient Exynos modem, Tensor chips have been known to drain batteries faster when connected to 5G or using a mobile data network. That's on top of the subpar modem performance.

The high power consumption also heats up the phone, which can negatively impact performance.

A Pixel can perform well in a controlled Wi-Fi rundown battery test. But in daily use, the experience will vary wildly due to the Exynos modem.

The same inefficient Exynos modem is also to blame for the high standby battery drain typically associated with Pixels.

With the Tensor G6, Google is switching from the Exynos modem to the MediaTek M90. Hopefully, this change will prove more valuable than a jump in CPU performance. The MediaTek modem is significantly more power-efficient and promises better mobile connectivity.

A lot will depend on Google's implementation, which is always a concern with the company.

I hope the new MediaTek modem finally ends a long-standing problem with Pixel phones: poor mobile connectivity and high battery drain on 5G networks.

If the Tensor G6 can deliver on that and ensure the Pixel 11 Pro can last a full day of use despite a slightly smaller battery, I will consider that a bigger win than a higher Geekbench score.

Tensor G6 needs to prove Google made the right trade-offs

Performance is always an important aspect of a smartphone. But I've given up on the idea of Google ever delivering flagship-level performance with its Tensor chips.

The company will charge top-tier prices for its Pixel lineup, but not deliver the same performance as its competitors.

I am ready to accept Google's trade-offs if Tensor chips can actually deliver a better everyday experience. That has not been the case so far.

With Tensor G6, the company has another chance to prove that its focus on real-world usability isn't just an excuse for poor benchmark and gaming performance.

For this, the Pixel 11 does not need to top any benchmarks. It only needs to stay cool, deliver sustained peak performance, maintain stable mobile connectivity, and deliver a full day of battery life.