TECH

Pixel 10’s Tensor G5 finally uses TSMC’s 3nm process, but with ‘weird’ core choices

For years, Google’s Tensor chips have been manufactured in collaboration with Samsung Foundry, but that might change with the upcoming Tensor G5, expected to debut with the Pixel 10 series. A recent leak from Google’s gChips division, shared via Android Authority, indicates that Google is opting for TSMC’s advanced 3nm process for the next-gen chip, potentially leading to enhanced efficiency and performance.

One of the significant changes with the Tensor G5 is its revamped CPU layout. Unlike its predecessor, the Tensor G4, which showed only a minor boost in performance, the G5 maintains a primary Cortex-X4 core but introduces a reconfigured mid-cluster.

The new design comprises five Cortex-A725 cores, an increase from three Cortex-A720 cores, while the little cluster has been reduced to two Cortex-A520 cores.

This alteration suggests that Google is aiming for a better balance between performance and power consumption, although sticking to the Cortex-X4 instead of adopting the latest Cortex-X925 is an intriguing choice.

The Tensor G5 also breaks tradition by moving away from the ARM Mali GPU, featuring a new GPU from Imagination Technologies (IMG), the DXT-48-1536. This GPU introduces ray tracing support—a first for Tensor chips—along with GPU virtualization capabilities, which could enhance graphics performance for gaming and other intensive tasks.

While Google’s new TPU in the Tensor G5 brings a 40% increase in TOPS (Trillions of Operations Per Second), internal benchmarks suggest a more modest 14% improvement in real-world scenarios. Additionally, the TPU now supports on-device training and features embedded RISC-V cores, enabling operations that weren’t previously possible, potentially broadening its AI capabilities.

Good news for those waiting for the Pixel 10 series...The Pixel 10, anticipated to launch in the second half of next year, will be the first device to feature the Tensor G5. This shift to TSMC’s 3nm process could significantly enhance power efficiency, addressing past criticisms of the Tensor lineup, particularly issues related to thermal management and performance lags. Reports suggest that Google is looking to better compete with Snapdragon-powered smartphones by making this strategic switch, as TSMC’s fabrication technology has been a cornerstone for Qualcomm’s recent successes​.

Overall, these updates hint at Google’s ambitious plans to position the Pixel 10 series as a stronger contender in the flagship smartphone market.

mundophone