Google is already in its third generation of proprietary Tensor chipsets, but the problem is that when it comes to performance and energy efficiency, the Tensor G3 can’t compete on equal terms with the recently announced Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or even Apple’s three-year-old processor. If in the first two generations Samsung was responsible for development, then in the third generation the graphics processor was developed by Google. The Tensor G5 is expected to be the first chipset created entirely by the search giant. It will appear in 2025 for the Pixel 10 series of smartphones.
The Tensor G4 was originally planned to be a Google-only development, but according to insider @OreXda, the chipset could still be made by Samsung. The search giant itself will develop the GPU and the server part. The Tensor G5 will likely be manufactured using TSMC’s 3nm process. In this case, its production will cost more, which means Google may increase prices for the Pixel 10. But if Samsung Foundry can prove that its 3nm process technology can compete with TSMC, then Google will continue to cooperate with the South Korean giant.
This summer, a former Google executive said that the Tensor G4 would only be partially modified by Google, while the Tensor G5 would be entirely developed by the company using cutting-edge technology. Tensor chips have been improving over time, and given the company’s focus on artificial intelligence, it will be interesting to see what new features the Tensor G5 gets and how it performs compared to the competition.