Pixel 10 might skip the modem upgrade you were hoping for

The Google Pixel series has long been appreciated by the Android community for the sheer number of features it offers. However, one recurring issue, especially since the Pixel 6 series, has been with the phones’ modems. While Google fixed it (sort of) with the Pixel 9 series, users still occasionally report issues with cellular signal performance.

Most of this is primarily down to the modem used in the Pixel lineup. For a couple of years now, Google has been using modems provided by Samsung for Pixel smartphones. And while those boast similar specs to their Qualcomm and MediaTek counterparts, real-life use reveals something different.

With the Pixel 10, rumors suggested Google might finally drop Samsung in favor of MediaTek modems for the next generation, but it now seems likely that won’t be the case.

Pixel 10’s biggest weakness might still be its modem

A few days ago, we got our first leaked hands-on images of the Pixel 10 Pro. While the images suggested minimal design changes are coming to the Pixel 10 series over the Pixel 9, they also seemed to reveal something about the Pixel 10’s modem.

As spotted by 9to5Google, one of the leaked images shows the Pixel 10 Pro featuring the “g5400” in the baseband. This is the same seen with the Pixel 9, suggesting Google might stick with the Exynos 5400 modem for the Pixel 10 series as well. It’s also worth noting that the same baseband appears in the ringtones video leak of the Pixel 10, sort of confirming the news.

On the whole, it’s beginning to look like the Pixel 10 won’t bring the upgraded modem many were hoping for. Of course, there’s still time — since the Pixel 10 launch is likely two months away — and some inconsistencies remain in the hands-on images as well, like the screenshots showing a Tensor G5 based on the 5nm process even though it’s expected to be 3nm.

Still, if modem upgrades were a major reason you were eyeing the Pixel 10, things aren’t looking too promising.