Pixel 11 owners can't play Genshin Impact, but a fix is on the way

The Google Pixel 11 phones are powered by a Tensor G6 processor, which uses a PowerVR GPU. Unfortunately, you can’t play Genshin Impact on these new phones. Thankfully, a solution is in the works.

Pixel 11 series owners reported severe graphical issues when trying to run Genshin Impact on their phones. These problems made the game unplayable as a result. The issue has also been flagged via Google’s Issue Tracker.

At least one player (thanks, Leonardo!) has contacted the Genshin Impact studio to report the issues. Unfortunately, the studio reports that PowerVR GPUs don’t meet the game’s minimum requirements. Check out reader Leonardo’s screenshot below.

Sure enough, we reported last year that Genshin Impact doesn’t technically support PowerVR GPUs. This came after some Pixel 10 series owners also reported major graphical issues with Genshin Impact. The Pixel 10’s Tensor G5 chip indeed has PowerVR graphics.

Thankfully, Google told Wired that it was working with the studio to address the issue:

We are currently working with our partner HoYoverse to address this optimization issue on the Pixel 11. A fix is expected to be implemented in Genshin Impact’s upcoming update.

That’s great news, but you also have to wonder why we’re going through this scenario again with the Pixel 11 if Google and developer Hoyoverse previously went through this with the Pixel 10 phones. Genshin Impact isn’t exactly a small-time game, so you’d think Google and the developer would’ve been working closely on optimizing the game ahead of the Pixel 11’s launch.

Nevertheless, I’m sure many Pixel 11 owners are simply glad that Google and Hoyoverse are addressing the issue and that a fix is coming soon. So here’s hoping that we don’t have to wait too long.