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Google has been making custom Tensor processors for Pixel phones since the Pixel 6 series in 2021. The chips feature ARM-based CPUs designed by Samsung. The first-gen Tensor G1 had a Samsung-developed GPU as well, though Google took that responsibility to itself with the Tensor G2. Rumors say it will start designing the CPU with the Tensor G5 in 2025.
Tensor G5 to be the first chip completely designed by Google
Despite being custom-made for Pixels, Google’s Tensor processors have been disappointing. Even the latest Tensor G3 that powers the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro has left customers fuming with a below-par performance. Apple’s three-year-old chipset A14 Bionic, which powered the iPhone 12 series, has outperformed the Google chip. It appears the internet giant plans to fix the woes by taking the entire development work in-house.
It originally planned to do that starting with the Tensor G4 in 2024. However, that doesn’t seem to be happening. Samsung may still end up designing the CPU for next year’s Google chip. The Korean firm’s Exynos processors serve as the base for the Tensor chips it makes. Exynos chips have had a fair share of performance woes over the years. The Tensor lineup may be affected by the same issues.
With the Tensor G5, Google will no longer let Samsung develop the CPU for it, at least according to X tipster @OreXda. The company will internally design the CPU, GPU, and backend system for the chip. Apple does the same with its A-series chips for iPhones. This may help Google customize the Tensor from the ground up for Pixels, addressing the performance issues that have plagued its initial solutions.
Of course, self-developing the chip for your phone doesn’t necessarily mean improved performance. Plenty of things work in tandem to make a processor efficient and powerful. Hopefully, Google can pull it off. It would be bad for the company’s reputation if the Tensor G5 was still beaten by an older chip from a rival company.
Google might switch to TSMC for manufacturing its custom processors
Since Samsung has been helping Google develop the Tensor chips, the Korean firm handled the manufacturing duties as well. The latter’s foundry tech hasn’t been able to keep up with TSMC’s, though it’s improving. Depending on how things pan out over the next couple of years, Google might switch to TSMC for manufacturing the Tensor G5. The Taiwanese firm’s foundry is more expensive, so that’s something Google will have to consider. We should get to know more about the Tensor G5 in the coming months.