Google is making a major hardware change to the Google Pixel 10, dropping the Samsung modem it has used since the Pixel 6.

While there is much to love about Google's Pixel phones, there is something frustrating about the Samsung modem that drives the Tensor chip (the Tensor G4 in the Pixel 9 is a prime example), but earlier models tended to overheat easily and were inferior in signal strength

Now, the Pixel 9 has a very good signal strength.

Now, a recent report from Android Authority reveals that Google is looking for a new modem manufacturer. According to “sources inside Google,” the company is reportedly testing the new MediaTek T900 modem as a possible replacement for Samsung's Exynos modem. Unfortunately, there is not much information on the performance of this chip, as there are no devices using this modem to show a baseline yet.

This is an interesting move and definitely makes more sense than trying to make their own modem. The problem with the latter option is the simple cost of producing the modem rather than relying on an external source. For example, Apple has had little success in manufacturing its own modems for years, although this may change with the iPhone SE 4.

This is not the only rumor about the Pixel 10 and its design. For example, we have seen recent leaks regarding the Pixel 10's 3nm G5 chip, which the report claims will be completely internally designed. We also saw what looked like a case for the upcoming Pixel 10 (pictured above), which suggested no major design changes. In addition to hardware, the massive leak also revealed several AI features that are expected to be included in the Pixel 10 and Pixel 11.

The performance of the Tensor G5, especially compared to the Snapdragon 8 Elite and Apple's A18 chip, is not yet well known. We can only wait and see what the phone will be capable of when it is released, which could be between August and October 2025.