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Joe Maring \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n
The latest Tensor G6 leak<\/a> is good and bad news for the Pixel 11, adding more weight to what we already expected from Google\u2019s next-gen chip destined for this year\u2019s Pixel 11 series<\/a>.<\/p>\n On the one hand, it looks like Pixel 11 customers are set to benefit from a significant leap in CPU performance. The chip is expected to feature a single Arm C1-Ultra<\/a> core at 4.11GHz, alongside four C1-Pro cores at 3.38GHz and two C1-Pro cores at 2.65GHz. Google is completely skipping the Arm Cortex X925 era, jumping straight to the same CPU cohort as the powerhouse MediaTek Dimensity 9500.<\/p>\n This represents a potentially significant boost from the Tensor G5<\/a> and its Arm Cortex-X4, A725, and A520 setup. Looking at single-core Geekbench 6 results, there\u2019s around a 40% potential uplift between the old and new cores, which would obviously be a significant leap if it holds up. The multi-core gains could be even larger, given the higher overall clock speeds and a move away from very small cores.<\/p>\n The Tensor G6’s big CPU core could theoretically be 40% faster than the G5.<\/p>\n However, despite the very modern CPU cores, Google\u2019s cluster remains somewhat conservative compared to the other flagship chips, even those built with the same off-the-shelf Arm cores. MediaTek\u2019s Dimensity uses one C1-Ultra and three C1-Premium cores, which are larger and more powerful than the Pros. Likewise, Qualcomm\u2019s Snapdragon features two large custom Oryon cores and six smaller cores, offering serious heavy-lifting potential. For a brand looking to merge mobile and PC use cases<\/a>, two or more power-house cores are beneficial \u2014 Tensor isn\u2019t in that league yet.<\/p>\n I expect the Pixel 11\u2019s CPU to perform closer to Samsung\u2019s Exynos 2600<\/a> inside some new Galaxy S26 models, which use a very similar C1-Ultra and C1-Pro configuration. However, with higher clock speeds, Tensor should push ahead by a modest margin. This puts it in a very solid performance category that will ensure it\u2019s a robust daily performer, if not quite benchmark-topping.<\/p>\n Will gamers see the same benefit?\n<\/p>\n Unfortunately, graphics will almost certainly remain the Pixel\u2019s Achilles\u2019 heel<\/a>. The Tensor G6 is reportedly switching to a PowerVR CXTP-48-1536. The Tensor G5 sports a DXT-48-1536 and, according to the Imagination Technologies website, its GPU range ranks from A (smallest and most power-efficient) through to E (highest performance).<\/p>\n After some digging, it\u2019s not entirely clear where the CXTP lands. The 2021-era C-series consists of the very low-end CXM for smart TVs and the CXT, a more flagship-tier product (almost certainly not by 2026 standards anymore) that supports ray tracing.<\/p>\n The Pixel 11 may be more efficient at gaming, but not more powerful.<\/p>\n From what I can discern, the \u201cP\u201d model is not part of the original 2021 era C-series. If it\u2019s anything like the DXT versus DXTP, then the \u201cP\u201d indicates improved power efficiency. The DXTP arrived in early 2025<\/a> with a 20% FPS-per-Watt efficiency gain over the DXT. The CXTP likely offers something similar. That sounds impressive, but how this compares to the power draw of the 2023-era DXT in the G5 is anyone\u2019s guess.<\/p>\n Exactly what this means for the Pixel 11\u2019s gaming performance is equally unknown. The C-series is clearly not designed to match the D-series\u2019s peak performance, and Imagination\u2019s own materials suggest a 20% better performance density per area over the CXT. In all likelihood, the Tensor design team is weighing up exactly how to extract the best performance from a limited GPU silicon budget, and perhaps the new \u201cP\u201d model, a move to a smaller 2nm node, or simply licensing costs have shifted this slightly in favor of the CXTP over last year\u2019s DXT, while keeping performance competitive with the previous generation.<\/p>\n Robert Triggs \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n Like the DXT in the Tensor G5, the CXTP can support ray-racing. However, this requires additional cores and space, and I suspect Google is moving to the C-series to save on silicon area. So don\u2019t bet on ray-tracing this generation either.<\/p>\n As the graph above shows, the Tensor G6 would need to make substantial changes to its GPU configuration to catch up with the competition. Even if the new 2nm manufacturing process and more efficient GPU cores could enable higher clock speeds and\/or better sustained performance, using an improved 2021-era architecture is likely to be a sidegrade at best. As a result, the Pixel 11 is almost certain to remain a more sluggish gaming phone than 2026 flagship phones powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, Dimensity 9500, and, quite likely, even the AMD-equipped Exynos 2600<\/a> too.<\/p>\n Is the Tensor G6 worth waiting for?<\/p>\n Robert Triggs \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n Google\u2019s custom silicon project hasn\u2019t ever really been about chasing the benchmark leaderboards, and the Tensor G6 isn\u2019t going to suddenly change the status quo. We might have to wait for the Tensor G7<\/a> or longer for that.<\/p>\n For general app performance, the CPU upgrades will be noticeable for both the substantial performance uplift and the efficiency gains from moving to a more efficient architecture. Sadly, gamers don\u2019t look set to receive the same benefits, but perhaps the Pixel 11 will sip on battery life enough to feel like somewhat of an upgrade for those longer sessions. In any case, this is unlikely to trouble series fans who aren\u2019t bothered about Tensor\u2019s lack of graphics grunt<\/a>.<\/p>\n New AI and imaging capabilities are likely to be bigger draws than performance.<\/p>\n Instead, Tensor is a means for Google to pursue its AI ambitions without being beholden to other silicon partners. Case in point, the chip is poised to switch from its long-running but often troubled use of Samsung Exynos modem to the MediaTek M90<\/a>. We\u2019ll have to test it to see if this finally rids the series of connectivity problems and battery drain issues once and for all.<\/p>\n Likewise, Google is prepping its in-house Titan M3 security chip<\/a> and a next-generation \u201cSantafe\u201d TPU and \u201cMetis\u201d image signal process for the Tensor G6. Those upgrades alone would allow Google to introduce interesting new features in the realms of on-device AI and computational photography, which will no doubt be far bigger selling points for the Pixel 11 series than performance ever could be. With that in mind, and ignoring competitors\u2019 moves, the Tensor G6 could well turn out to be a notable upgrade when the Pixel 11 series lands later this year.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t want to miss the best from Android Authority?<\/p>\n![\"Tensor](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Tensor-G5-3DMark-Wild-Life-Extreme-Graphics-Benchmark-Results.png\"\/ "\\"Tensor")
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