Pixel 11’s big modem switch hasn’t ended familiar connectivity complaints

Google’s switch from Samsung Exynos to a MediaTek modem on the Pixel 11 series was supposed to close one of the longest-running chapters in Pixel history. After years of complaints around reception, connectivity, and cellular battery drain, the new modem arrived as one of the generation’s most meaningful upgrades.

But just weeks after the Pixel 11 series went on sale, some owners are reporting connectivity problems that sound uncomfortably familiar. Reports across Reddit include phones showing a 5G icon with no internet access, refusing to connect to Wi-Fi, dropping Wi-Fi performance, and struggling to maintain a cellular connection.

One Pixel 11 Pro XL owner reported losing both 5G data and Wi-Fi after the phone had been idle. Other owners are reporting similar experiences. One Pixel 11 Pro owner reported much worse cellular service than their previous Galaxy phone, despite using the same carrier and locations. Another Pixel 11 owner reported unusually slow Wi-Fi speeds and said the phone was repeatedly switching between 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks.

A separate Pixel 11 Pro XL report describes severe Wi-Fi problems, with the connection becoming unusable after a few minutes, even after extensive troubleshooting.

It’s not all bad news

Notably, these reports appear limited to a small number of Pixel 11 users. Our test comparing the Pixel 11 Pro with the Pixel 10 Pro found the newer phone retained 5G in an area with weak signal where the older model dropped to 4G, while delivering faster cellular download speeds indoors and outdoors. It also consumed less battery when streaming video on mobile data.

That makes it difficult to pin the complaints directly on the MediaTek modem. Carrier compatibility, proximity to cell towers, local network conditions, routers, firmware, and individual hardware units can all affect connectivity. Plus, some users are also reporting an excellent experience with the Pixel 11 connectivity and network reception.

One reported workaround is to disable Adaptive Connectivity, reboot, and then reset Wi-Fi settings. But this is just a workaround and not a confirmed fix. Also, these reports are nowhere near enough to suggest the Pixel 11 has a widespread connectivity problem. Plenty of owners are having a trouble-free experience; still, the timing is hard to ignore.

After five generations of Pixels using Samsung’s Exynos modems, Google’s move to the MediaTek M90 promised a cleaner connectivity experience. Seeing familiar complaints resurface so soon is unlikely to reassure anyone who has dealt with Pixel connectivity problems before.

The good news is that these appear to be isolated reports, and software updates could still address some of the issues. For now, though, it seems the M90 hasn’t completely put the Pixel modem question to bed.