I’m not about to claim that the Pixel 11a will be much different. Google will likely follow the Pixel 10a’s lead very closely – a phone that epitomises the 2026 trend for tiny year-on-year upgrades.
However, I’m still looking forward to its likely March 2027 launch much more than to the Pixel 11 series, even if there’s one potential dealbreaker.
No chipset compromise?
The leak that inspired this article is the most exciting by far.
According to Mystic Leaks, who has a strong track record for Pixel news, the Pixel 11a will be powered by Google’s Tensor G6 chipset. That’s right, the same one we’re expecting across the Pixel 11 lineup.
While far from confirmed, this could be massive for the Pixel 11a. Remember, the Pixel 10a stuck with its predecessor’s Tensor G4 chip; it’d be a huge two-generation leap.
Chris Martin / Foundy
The Tensor G6 looks set to be one of the first smartphone chips to use a 2nm process, beating even Qualcomm to the punch. Compared to the 4nm Tensor G4, it’s expected to yield major improvements to both battery efficiency and overheating, two issues that commonly affect the Pixel 10a.
