Pixel 11 to get better face unlock; 11a tipped for Tensor G6 chip
▼ Summary
– The Pixel 11a, codenamed “Formosan,” will use the Tensor G6 chip, Titan M3 security chip, and MediaTek M90 modem, with 8 GB RAM.
– Its 6.3-inch display has the same resolution (1080×2424) but slightly brighter at 2,250 nits HDR and 3,350 nits peak.
– The minimum battery capacity is downgraded to 4,870 mAh from the Pixel 10a’s 5,000 mAh, and a new front-facing camera is codenamed “dokkaebi.”
– Color options include Obsidian, Fog, Olive, and Frost, with a presumed launch in March 2027; the Pixel 12a is codenamed “marmoset.”
– The Pixel 11 will feature improved Face Unlock described as “faster, more secure and accurate in low-light,” though it’s unclear if this is software-based or hardware-ready.
While the Pixel 11 has yet to hit the market, fresh leaks are already painting a vivid picture of what Google has in store for its mid-range and flagship devices through 2027. According to a new report from Mystic Leaks, the Pixel 11a, bearing the codename “Formosan,” will be a significant step up from its predecessor, marking a shift in Google’s chip strategy.
The most notable upgrade is the inclusion of the Tensor G6 chipset, a departure from the Pixel 10a, which reused the previous generation’s processor due to high costs associated with the G5. The Pixel 11a will pair this chip with the Titan M3 security chip, a PowerVR C-Series CXTP-48-1536 GPU, and a MediaTek M90 modem. RAM stays at 8 GB, keeping performance consistent with the current model.
The display remains a 6.3-inch panel with a 1080×2424 resolution, but brightness gets a solid boost to 2,250 nits HDR and 3,350 nits peak. Interestingly, the battery sees a slight reduction, dropping from 5,000 mAh on the 10a to a minimum of 4,870 mAh. Camera details are sparse, though the leak does confirm a new front-facing sensor codenamed “dokkaebi.”
Color options include Obsidian (black) and Fog (silver), with two more playful choices: Olive (green) and Frost (purple). The Pixel 11a is expected to launch in March 2027, and the leak also reveals that the Pixel 12a’s codename is “marmoset.”
But the Pixel 11 itself is the immediate focus. According to the same source, Google has made meaningful strides in face unlock performance. A source cited in the leak claims the experience will be “faster, more secure and accurate in low-light.” This follows earlier rumors that the Pixel 11 would introduce IR-powered face unlock, though hardware reportedly wasn’t ready as of May. The latest update does not clarify whether these improvements are purely software-driven or if the necessary hardware is finally in place. Given that current camera-only face unlock struggles in dim conditions, it’s unclear how algorithm tweaks alone could deliver such gains without hardware support.
(Source: 9to5google.com)
