Does the Pixel 11 finally fix Google’s modem issues? Yes — but with a catch

The Google Pixel 11 series has finally addressed Google's modem issues with the introduction of a MediaTek modem, marking a significant change from the previous use of Samsung's Exynos modems. The new modem promises to be more reliable, faster, and more power-efficient, potentially resolving longstanding issues such as overheating, battery drain, and poor cellular reception. To test these claims, I conducted a series of comparative tests between the Pixel 11 Pro and its predecessor, the Pixel 10 Pro.

First, I assessed the signal strength of both phones. The Pixel 11 Pro demonstrated slightly stronger cellular reception indoors and outdoors compared to the Pixel 10 Pro. It sustained 5G connectivity at weaker signal levels, outperforming the Pixel 10 Pro, which dropped to 4G in the same conditions.

Next, I measured cellular data speeds. The Pixel 11 Pro outperformed the Pixel 10 Pro in download speeds by roughly 13%, and showed a more consistent 5G connection outdoors. However, upload speeds were slightly slower on the Pixel 11 Pro. In indoor settings with weaker reception, the Pixel 11 Pro significantly outperformed its predecessor, achieving nearly double the download speed while the upload speeds were notably slower.

Finally, I evaluated battery life during cellular use. Streaming a YouTube video over cellular for 30 minutes, the Pixel 11 Pro consumed less battery compared to the Pixel 10 Pro. Despite a shorter test, the Pixel 11 Pro showed a 3% decrease in battery, while the Pixel 10 Pro dropped by 5%.

Overall, my observations indicate that the Pixel 11 Pro's MediaTek modem offers meaningful improvements in download speeds, cellular reliability, and battery efficiency during use. While the modem's performance in upload speeds and overall battery life during extended use isn't uniformly superior, the advancements in download speeds and cellular connectivity are notable. The Pixel 11 Pro appears to have effectively fixed several longstanding modem-related issues, making it a significant improvement over its predecessor.