Samsung and Google have worked together very closely over years to develop what is arguably one of the most important relationships in the Android world. Samsung makes the phones, watches, tablets, and more that put Google's software in front of hundreds of millions of people.Google supplies Android, Gemini and an expanding stack of AI services that make those devices smarter. Silicon was another part of this relationship, particularly since Google started making its own hardware under the Pixel brand. For years, Google leaned on Samsung to manufacture its Tensor smartphone processors, provide memory chips, etc.Samsung's Exynos modems were also widely used in Pixel phones. This made Samsung far more than just a supplier to Google. It became central to Google's Pixel strategy. While Samsung have may enjoyed considerable importance in that aspect, Google has gradually been moving away from its Korean partner, and the latest Pixel 11 series makes that abundantly clear.Google has shifted from Samsung's Exynos modems to MediaTek for the Pixel 11 series that was unveiled today. Last year's Pixel 10 series had the Exynos 5400 modem, which was also used in the Pixel 9 lineup of 2024. The latest Pixel devices pair Google's Tensor G6 chipset with a MediaTek M90 modem.Samsung Foundry has previously played a major role in manufacturing Google's custom Tensor chipsets. However, Google has already moved away when it opted to have TSMC make its Tensor chips last year. It's no different for the latest Tensor G6, which is Google's first 2nm chip, and is also manufactured by TSMC.That's despite the capacity constraints TSMC's customers have to deal with and its pricing when is typically higher than Samsung Foundry's. Samsung's chipmaking division has also done incredibly well to enhance its 2nm yields and has won significant orders from major clients for 2nm chipmaking, yet it's been unable to bring back Google.It's normal for companies to switch suppliers all the time. They chase better performance, lower power consumption, improved connectivity, manufacturing yields and better economics. However, one would think based on how closely Samsung and Google work that the same synergy would flow to components as well.The two companies remain closer than ever on the software side. Samsung's latest Galaxy products remain the best ambassadors of Google's AI features. The two companies are also working closely on intelligent eyewear, with Google providing the software for Samsung's upcoming smart glasses. Google's Android XR platform is also fundamental to Samsung's Galaxy XR headset.Google has itself chosen Samsung as the preferred partner for Android XR, whether that be headsets or smart glasses. The internet search giant is increasingly willing to work with Samsung where Samsung gives it access to a market, but less willing to use Samsung simply because the two companies have history.For a company like Google, that should have been incredibly valuable. The Tensor story is the clearest example. Google created Tensor because it wanted to control the architecture around on-device machine learning and its AI ambitions. Samsung helped turn that ambition into reality, with Tensor chips manufactured in Samsung Foundry facilities for several generations. Google ultimately moved Tensor manufacturing to TSMC, beginning with the Tensor G5, as it pursued a different strategy.Things appear to be heading in the same direction for modems. Google relied on Samsung's Exynos modems for generations but they've now fallen out of favor. That should worry Samsung's semiconductor business because it's not just the loss of any single order.Semiconductor relationships are not just about today's revenue. They are about getting your technology designed into tomorrow's products. Once a customer moves to another supplier, winning it back can become extremely difficult.What's clear is that Samsung is no longer the company Google automatically turns to for the complete hardware stack. Samsung cannot assume that its relationships will protect its semiconductor businesses. Samsung's semiconductor division may be winning the AI memory war right now. But in consumer silicon, the company is learning a harder lesson. Being a partner is not the same thing as being indispensable.Google is still Samsung's closest platform partner in many ways. It just does not appear to need Samsung's chips nearly as much anymore. Find the best deals Order a Galaxy Z Fold 8 Buy Now