When buying a new phone, the cellular modem may be the last thing on your mind. But Pixel users have long complained about cellular connectivity issues with Google's smartphones, and with the Pixel 9, the search giant may finally be making an overdue upgrade.

The Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and the new larger Pixel 9 Pro XL will feature a new modem, Android Authority reports. According to an unnamed Google insider who spoke with the media outlet, that modem will be part of the Tensor G4 that will first be included in the Pixel 9 series and is still being sourced from Samsung. The next-generation Samsung modem 5400 is reportedly an upgrade from the 5300 combined with Tensor G3 in the Pixel 8 series and will also be used in the upcoming Pixel Fold 2 and an unknown 5G-connected Pixel Tablet, codenamed "clementine" It is reportedly Our review of the Pixel Tablet found Google's first tablet to be a great device on the go, but only if you can connect to Wifi, as it does not offer cellular connectivity.

The new modem will reportedly feature software upgrades, but it remains unclear how things will change on the hardware side; according to Android Authority, one of the modem upgrades on the Pixel 9 series will include satellite connectivity satellite connectivity. This will support 5G non-terrestrial networks (NTN), or satellite-based communications. This will allow Pixel phones that support satellite communications to carry the Satellite Gateway app, which can notify contacts and send messages to emergency services in the event of an emergency.

In recent years, Google has shifted its focus from Qualcomm modems paired with Snapdragon processors in early Pixel phones to Samsung modems, and Google-designed Tensor and Tensor G2 processors are largely rooted in Samsung's Exynos chips. The last time we saw a true modem upgrade was from Exynos Modem 5123 on the Pixel 6 to Exynos Modem 5300 on the Pixel 7 and 8. The latter is adequate for the most part, but has been plagued by complaints of poor power efficiency and struggles in less connected areas.

It is a frustrating problem that we hope will be resolved with the Pixel 9 modem upgrade, but we will have to wait and see, as the Pixel 9 is not expected to be available until October 2024.