Google Pixel 11 might bring big gains with 2nm Tensor G6; Pixel 10 leaks point towards a lot of cost-cutting

The rumor mill is a funny thing. One minute, it’s giving you reasons to be excited about the near future. The next, it’s dangling an even shinier object further down the road, making the present feel a little less thrilling. That’s the story for Google fans right now, with exciting news about the 2026 Pixel 11 clashing with some rather disappointing leaks about this year’s Pixel 10. While the Pixel 11 is tipped to finally leapfrog the competition in processing power, the Pixel 10 may arrive with some notable compromises, suggesting a strategy of significant cost-cutting.

Pixel 11’s Tensor G6 could be a game-changer

For years, Google’s in-house Tensor chips have been seen as playing catch-up to the likes of Qualcomm and Apple. While they’ve excelled at AI tasks, their raw performance and efficiency have often lagged. That narrative could be set for a dramatic rewrite with the Pixel 11.

According to recent reports, Google is planning to have its Tensor G6 chip, destined for the Pixel 11 series in 2026, manufactured using TSMC’s cutting-edge 2-nanometer process. This is a huge deal. To put it in perspective, the upcoming Tensor G5 in this year’s Pixel 10 is expected to be made on a 3nm process. If Google makes the jump to 2nm for the G6, it could potentially beat its main competitors to this next-generation technology.

This move to a more advanced manufacturing process could translate into significant gains in both performance and power efficiency for the Pixel 11. It signals a more aggressive approach from Google, one that could finally see their phones competing at the very top end of the market in terms of raw power, not just software smarts.

Pixel 10: a story of compromise?

While the future looks bright for the Pixel 11, the outlook for the imminent Pixel 10 is a bit more clouded. A series of leaks suggest that Google is implementing several cost-saving measures, particularly for the standard, non-Pro model. These decisions could create a much wider gap between the base Pixel 10 and its Pro siblings.

One of the most concerning reports points to the base Pixel 10 once again skipping a vapor chamber for cooling. This component is crucial for managing heat during intensive tasks like gaming or video recording. Its absence in the Pixel 9 was noticeable, and repeating this omission could mean the Pixel 10 will be prone to throttling and reduced sustained performance compared to the Pro models, which are expected to include the cooling tech.

Image via iFixit / YouTube

The reported downgrades don’t stop there. In a baffling move, the standard Pixel 10 is also rumored to lack WiFi 7 support. This is particularly strange given that its predecessor, the Pixel 9, includes this next-generation connectivity standard. For a new phone to take a step back in wireless technology is an unusual and unwelcome development.

Furthermore, it appears the display on the base Pixel 10 might not be as easy on the eyes as the Pro models. Leaks suggest that only the Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL will get an upgraded PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) dimming frequency of 480Hz, which helps reduce screen flicker and potential eye strain for sensitive users. The regular Pixel 10 may be stuck with the current 240Hz rate.

To round things off, premium camera features like the new “Ultra Res Zoom” and an ultra-stable video recording mode are also expected to be exclusive to the Pro lineup. While it’s normal for Pro models to have better cameras, these specific software-driven features being paywalled could make the standard Pixel 10 feel like a significant step down. It seems with the Pixel 10, Google is drawing a very clear line in the sand between its standard and Pro offerings.