One of the sore points of early Tensor efforts for Google Pixel came from the Samsung modem used in the first few generations. It’s gotten much better over time, but both heat and signal underperform compare to other options. According to a new report, Google is switching things up for the Pixel 10 with a new modem from MediaTek.
Expand Expanding Close
One of the more unexpected aspects of Pixel Buds Pro 2 is the use of a custom Tensor-branded A1 chip, with Google sharing a bit more on why it went that route today.
Expand Expanding Close
Google’s Tensor chips in Pixel phones have been getting better every year, but they still tend to run warmer than the competition. According to Google’s own data, overheating issues with Tensor have proved to be the biggest reason for Pixel returns.
Expand Expanding Close
In developing the Tensor G6 for the Pixel 11 series, Google talks about problems users have had in past generations, with battery life unsurprisingly playing a role.
Expand Expanding Close
New data from a large leak of Google’s future Tensor plans reveals that the company may be working on a custom chip for Pixel Watch that could arrive in the next couple of years.
Expand Expanding Close
The leaks about Google’s Pixel chip roadmap continue with the core configurations, as well as other specs, for the Tensor G5 and G6 emerging today.
Expand Expanding Close
New details surrounding Google’s future plans for the Tensor chips in Pixel 10 and Pixel 11 are hinting at a main focus on efficiency upgrades in 2025, with further upgrades to come on the Pixel 11 later on.
Expand Expanding Close
Google’s switch to Tensor chips in the Pixel lineup has been overall pretty good, despite plenty of hiccups, but one of the loudest complaints has been how Google’s chips simply don’t compare when put through a benchmark. That’s not changing with Tensor G4 because Google said it developed the Pixel 9 chip with real-world improvements in mind.
Expand Expanding Close
Google is hosting an event tomorrow to fully unveil the Pixel 9 series and more, but the leaks haven’t stopped just yet. A new post reveals a few more details about Google’s Pixel Buds Pro 2, including the first new form factor for Tensor.
Expand Expanding Close
Google’s upcoming Tensor G4 chip was never going to be a major upgrade, especially as it’s just a final stop-gap before the arrival of fully custom Tensor chips produced through TSMC. But that doesn’t mean it can’t have a meaningful boost for users, and it seems that will come in the form of improved battery consumption and heat through a better modem within the Pixel 9 series.
Expand Expanding Close
While I’m of the opinion that you should buy technology when you need it, Google’s expected switch to TSMC for the Tensor G5 casts a shadow over the Pixel 9.
Expand Expanding Close
According to a new report, Google’s work on moving Tensor G5 production to TSMC is nearing finalization for the design in a major step towards production.
Expand Expanding Close
After a few generations with Samsung, Google is set to switch to TSMC for Tensor in 2025. Unsurprisingly, a new report also reveals that Google’s switch will also bring a 3nm process to Tensor G5 in Pixel devices.
Expand Expanding Close
In July of 2023, Google’s switch from Samsung to TSMC for the Tensor G5 was definitively reported, and additional confirmation today shows that work towards the Pixel 10 is continuing.
Expand Expanding Close
Google Pixel has been growing over the years, but it seems things might be stalling a bit, as smartphone shipments from Google reportedly shrunk between the end of 2023 and Q1 2024.
Expand Expanding Close
According to a new report, Google’s upcoming Pixel hardware including the Pixel 9 series, Pixel Fold 2, and a 5G-connected Pixel Tablet will be getting a new cellular modem, an overdue upgrade.
Expand Expanding Close
According to a new report out of Korea, Google Tensor G4 will be adopting a newer packaging method from Samsung which may improve power efficiency and heat management.
Expand Expanding Close
Google Pixel is coming off of its best-selling year to date, but according to one report, Google shipped fewer Tensor chips in Q4 2023.
Expand Expanding Close
Back in 2021, Google effectively rebooted its efforts with Pixel hardware with the arrival of the first Tensor processor. That’s led to some big changes but 2024 finally marks the year that the transition is entering its final stage.
Expand Expanding Close
While Google’s switch to Tensor chips in Pixels has brought a lot of good, Samsung’s manufacturing process has certainly held Pixel phones back when it comes to efficiency. It’s been previously reported that Google Tensor will move over to TSMC in the future, and new details show progress on that effort.
Expand Expanding Close
One of the biggest selling points of a Pixel device is the (usual) cadence at which Google releases new software updates and, apparently, Tensor-powered Pixels are about to get a rare software update that updates the kernel used behind the scenes.
Expand Expanding Close
Google’s Pixel phones, especially those powered by Tensor chips, aren’t known for their gaming performance, but there seems to be a considerable upgrade coming with the December 2023 update as a GPU upgrade behind the scenes should lead to better performance.
Expand Expanding Close
The Tensor G3 chipset in the Pixel 8 series is a considerable step up from past iterations of Google’s Samsung-made custom chip, and amid rumors that the company will eventually move to TSMC, a new report says that Tensor G4 will be once again produced by Samsung, but on an updated process.
Expand Expanding Close
Google Tensor has always pitched itself on AI, and when it launched in 2021, it blew away the competition. But, now, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is showing off truly incredible on-device AI capabilities, and it really demands the question of if Google Tensor should still exist.
Expand Expanding Close