Google's $899 Pixel 11 struggles to run Genshin Impact smoothly, and this isn’t the first time we've seen this issue.

      The Pixel 11 struggles to run one of Android's largest games. Seriously, Google?

      Google's Pixel 11 series boasts numerous innovative features. However, it seems that running a popular mobile game isn’t one of them. Users of the new Pixel 11 models are experiencing significant graphical glitches that render HoYoverse’s Genshin Impact almost unplayable.

      Wired highlighted the issue while testing the Pixel 11 Pro, reporting a purple screen that hindered normal gameplay, and other users have also reached out to Google about the problem. For a flagship lineup starting at $899, this is quite an unfortunate situation—particularly in light of claims regarding the enhanced power of the Tensor G6.

      Is PowerVR causing issues once again?

      Every model in the Pixel 11 range features Google's latest Tensor G6, which combines its CPU and AI capabilities with a PowerVR GPU. One Reddit user who contacted Genshin Impact support (through Android Authority) was informed that PowerVR GPUs do not fulfill the game's minimum requirements. This revelation is quite disappointing for users who have invested close to or over $1,000. However, it's worth noting that this information came from customer support rather than a comprehensive technical statement from HoYoverse.

      Google characterizes the issue as an optimization problem, which sounds much more manageable. The company informed Wired that it is collaborating directly with HoYoverse and anticipates a fix in an upcoming Genshin Impact update, although there’s no confirmed date for this patch yet. It's particularly frustrating because previous Pixel 10 models faced similar graphics problems with PowerVR. Google required several months to enhance GPU drivers after the Tensor G5 launched.

      Google should have identified this earlier

      This doesn't imply that the Pixel 11 is incapable of running demanding games entirely. It has been shown to run other intensive titles, such as Zenless Zone Zero, even if the experience lagged behind that of other recent flagship devices. The significant rendering issues specifically occur with Genshin Impact, indicating that compatibility and optimization are the primary concerns rather than merely GPU performance.

      Genshin Impact ranks among the most popular mobile games globally, and Google was aware that it would continue using PowerVR graphics for yet another generation of the Pixel. Therefore, it's reassuring that a fix is forthcoming. However, if I'm spending a premium price, I shouldn't have to worry about whether my phone can support a mainstream mobile game.