What you need to know

• Another string of early Tensor G6 rumors claims the chip could feature an improved CPU setup with a 1+4+2 core structure.
• The chip's one ARM C1-Ultra core could clock in at 4.11GHz, alongside four C1-Pro cores and two additional C1-Pro cores at 2.65GHz.
• Strangely, rumors say the Tensor G6 could feature a very old GPU that might not bring much of a difference between its gaming performance and the Tensor G5's.

Rumors take us ahead into the near future of the Tensor G6 SoC from Google, and these early vibes are curious, to say the least.

A post by 9to5Google highlighted a response to a user on Telegram by leaker MysticLeaks about the company's upcoming custom chip, the Tensor G6. The tipster cites the chip's alleged specs alongside the Pixel 11 series' codenames: Cubs, Grizzly, and Kodiak, regarding the Pixel 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro XL, respectively. MysticLeaks then suggests the chip could feature a 1+4+2 core structure this year.

They allege the Tensor G6 could feature one ARM C1-Ultra core at 4.11GHz. The post says this core will be further enhanced by four ARM C1-Pro cores at 3.38GHz, and two extra (slower) C1-Pro cores at 2.65GHz. We'll get into the significance of these CPU cores in a moment, but what's truly grabbed our attention is MysticLeak's speculation on the chip's GPU.

Supposedly, the Tensor G6 could feature the PowerVR C-Series CXTP-48-1536 GPU. The publication's sharp memory plucked this GPU out of history, stating Google might place a graphics unit that's basically five years old.

Where to go from here?

On a brighter note, what's been alleged for the Tensor G6's CPU setup is a decent boost over what the Tensor G5 provided. Last year's chip featured a 1+5+2 setup, consisting of one Arm Cortex-X4 core (3.78GHz), five Arm Cortex-A725 cores (3.05GHz), and two Arm Cortex-A520 cores (2.25GHz). If we look at it this way, perhaps the Pixel 11 series' performance is taking a welcome step forward. It's also worth mentioning even earlier rumors that said this chip would be built off a 2nm process, which would also (ideally) boost its performance.

Among the things we've been looking forward to for the Pixel 11, its Tensor G6 was a key player. We hoped that Google, since it's shifted to TSMC and is likely looking at the 2nm process, could bring the chip's performance closer to Qualcomm, so the Pixel line can really stand toe-to-toe with other flagships. On paper (and remember: it's early), it seems like the chip's performance could rise; this GPU allegation is a tough pill to swallow. It makes us wonder if all the constant GPU updates and tweaks from Google for the Pixel 10 series will continue again.

Android Central's Take

I have to remind myself that these are rumors, and that it's still fairly early. However, I have to say that this GPU rumor is off-putting. The Pixel 10 was wildly underpowered when it came to gaming. I hoped for more. I know others hoped for more. Mobile gaming is a strong market. Millions of people game on their phones. Also, mobile games continuously feature better graphics, improved systems, and more that will push a phone. Right now, it looks like Google's Pixels will drop the ball in this regard again.

2025 has shaped up to be a year of breakthroughs and experimentation for the tech industry; smartphones and wearables don't just look different, but have started to become more user-friendly, thanks to AI. Trifold devices have arrived, ultra-thin designs are on the rise, and smart glasses are gaining popularity.

At the same time, throw in rising prices driven particularly by global tensions, and this year also marked a turning point in consumer tech, giving us a feeling that we are indeed living in the future.

Here are some of the top stories and trends of 2025 that shaped the year.

The foldable glow up: Trifold goes mainstream

While tri-fold devices aren't a new concept, they didn't really catch on, at least not in this part of the world. Huawei's Mate XT was the first to prove that this concept was indeed possible; its limited availability made it more of a distant dream rather than a usable device.

But Samsung may have changed it overnight. The company finally launched the Galaxy Z Trifold on December 1, which is said to bring the power of "the most advanced foldable technologies" right into the palm of your hands.

Essentially, making the form factor more valid and widely available to the broader smartphone market. When Samsung launches a new device, the entire ecosystem follows, from Google optimizing Android for it to carriers that might be willing to subsidize it for consumers. This also means developers will start creating apps compatible with multi-window support on a larger scale. But it doesn't just end there.

Samsung's aim wasn't about adding another screen, but to experiment with whether a trifold could actually be a usable product. While it may not replace traditional slab phones anytime soon, it could double as a tablet and a productivity tool. This kind of shift in thought from "Why would you want this?" to "Who is this actually made for?" is a huge deal. This move by Samsung could push competitors to make their own tri-fold and potentially drive people to consider owning this device.

AI takes center stage as companies shift focus

Google I/O AI Part from r/google

For the past few years, AI has been a buzzword for every major tech company. However, in 2025, we've finally started to see it pulling its weight with models like Gemini 3 Pro, ChatGPT 5.2, Meta's Llama 4, and so on.

Instead of being in the background on many devices so far, generative AI has become a core feature of smartphones, to the point that it has been baked into every aspect of the device. It can literally "see" what you see, help you navigate better, and even let you "try on" clothes while shopping online. From search and photography to productivity tools, AI can even help you create better workflows to manage your day. So much so that we even have an AI Home robot in our midst.

This year wasn't about flashy demos — it was about showing us how AI could work its way into our lives. Companies like Google, Samsung, and OnePlus also redefined the user experience with more intuitive AI. Now it doesn't just respond to your commands, but it learns from your daily routine and gives you personalized suggestions in real time.

AI has rapidly transitioned from optional software to a foundational feature on smartphones. This has altered how we interact with our devices, marking a monumental shift in consumer tech.

The rise of the ultra-slim smartphones

This year, we also witnessed several tech companies obsessed with making super-thin devices like the Galaxy S25 Edge and the iPhone Air, measuring 5.8 mm and 5.6mm, respectively. Fitting all the necessary components into such incredibly slim casings is an engineering marvel in itself.

Despite the hype both companies tried to create with phones, the S25 Edge and the iPhone Air saw underwhelming sales, so much so that Samsung has reportedly decided to ditch the Edge lineup for good.

Yet we feel that the slim-phone era is really just getting started. These devices may serve as crucial stepping stones toward future foldables or even slimmer rollable phones. It almost feels like the manufacturers are using these designs to experiment with new materials, improved battery technology, and more, in a quest to slim down hardware without compromising on performance.

Tariffs, Tariffs and, more Tariffs

Well, all wasn't merry in the town of Tech. Earlier this year, under the Trump administration, the U.S. imposed hefty tariffs that impacted the tech supply chain.

At first, a 10% tariff was levied on all Chinese imports, which was later increased to 20%. At the same time, the U.S. also imposed 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico. At one point, tariffs went as high as 145%, which really shook up Apple investors, and the discussion quickly broadened to include all smartphone manufacturers. That imposed a 25% tariff on smartphones, including Apple, Samsung, and other OEMs that manufacture phones outside the country. The result?

This sent all the tech companies into a frenzy, leading Samsung to reportedly ramp up production of this year's Galaxy S25 series in a preemptive move and OnePlus to suddenly increase the price of its Watch 3. These tariffs even targeted semiconductor chips and key electronics, such as memory chips and circuits, which are mostly imported from outside the country, especially from China. After a few days, the White House decided to exempt certain electronics from these tariffs temporarily.

That said, it created enough confusion for consumers and tech companies alike. This means phones aren't getting expensive just because of their hardware, but also the global polices that dictate pricing. For now, Samsung and Google have both stuck to the same price tags with their flagships; however, this could change with your next phone.

XR finally gets its moment

XR had its best moments this year as several companies raced to put the future of tech on your face. Android pushed deeper into XR and VR with the launch of Samsung's much-awaited Galaxy XR headset in October, to challenge Apple's Vision Pro.

Galaxy XR came built on Android XR, and with Google’s Gemini AI baked right in. This means it’s not just a headset running Android apps but also an AI-powered device that understands your surroundings and responds through voice, vision, and gestures.

Meta also launched new AI-powered smart glasses this year, and the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses push the boundaries of wearable tech. As these glasses let you do pretty much anything while keeping your phone tucked away, from checking messages to basically navigating through life, you get to do it all with just one glance at the in-lens display.

Google also didn't shy away from showing off its own innovations in the XR field. It gave us a quick surprise demo of its glasses at I/O and offered a first look at Project Aura from XREAL, which is reportedly equipped with a 70-degree field of view and optical see-through technology, set to launch in 2026.

It has been a good year for phones, and hardware in general has never been better. Qualcomm is delivering sizeable gains with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, MediaTek did the same with the Dimensity 9500, and even Google got its act together with the Tensor G5, finally switching to TSMC's 3nm node — the same as Qualcomm and MediaTek.

I used five devices with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 over the course of the last month — the OnePlus 15, POCO F8 Ultra, iQOO 15, Redmagic 11 Pro, and the Realme GT 8 Pro — along with four devices powered by the Dimensity 9500: Vivo X300 Pro, X300 Pro, Find X9 Pro, and Find X9. Finally, I tested key devices in the Pixel 10 family, including the Pixel 10, 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold.

I'm not going into too many details about each platform, but as a high-level overview, all chip vendors are using the latest cores and tout heady gains. Obviously, Qualcomm stands out for its use of custom cores on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, with the platform featuring a second-gen design with double-digit increase in performance, and there's a similar level of uptick when it comes to gaming.

Having said that, what MediaTek is doing is even more interesting. The vendor is using Arm's latest cores, including the C1 Ultra, C1 Pro, and C1 Premium. The G1 Ultra GPU is terrific as well, and overall, Arm really turned things up a notch this year. On that note, the Tensor G5 is actually good this time. It still doesn't use the latest Arm cores or isn't anywhere as fast as what Qualcomm and MediaTek are offering, but it doesn't feel intentionally hobbled, and that's an achievement in and of itself.

Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 vs. Snapdragon 8 Elite vs. Tensor G5 vs. Dimensity 9500

Let's take a look at how the new platforms hold up in synthetic workloads. I'm using the Redmagic 11 Pro as well as the Redmagic 10S Pro to test Qualcomm, the Vivo X300 Pro to showcase the Dimensity 9500, and the Pixel 10 Pro XL with the Tensor G5.

The Geekbench 6 single-core results show that Qualcomm really has the best single-core design on Android, and this is down to a custom design and increased frequencies, with Qualcomm going up to 4.6GHz while MediaTek doesn't exceed 4.21GHz. As you can see, the difference in negligible in multi-core workloads between the two, but when comparing to last year's silicon, there is still a decent boost.

Similarly, Qualcomm has a lead in 3DMark's Wild Life test, but things are on an equal footing with the ray tracing-based Solar Bay workload. The gains aren't as noticeable from last year either, and the only thing these tests illustrate is just how far behind the Tensor G5 is in this regard. Google says its focus is on AI, and it doesn't want to chase raw numbers, and that bears out in the testing.

Thankfully, it isn't the same in real-world testing. I used the Pixel 10 Pro XL as my daily driver for well over two months, and it is just as fluid as the POCO F8 Ultra or the X300 Pro at a lot of daily tasks. Yes, it doesn't hold up as well at gaming — even though there's much better thermal management — and there is noticeable throttling in extended gaming sessions. Even then, it is better than just about every other Pixel I've used — which I know isn't saying much.

Coming to Qualcomm and MediaTek, there really isn't much of a difference in actual usage. Both have a similar level of efficiency, but if I had to pick a winner, I'd say the Dimensity 9500 has the edge — my Find X9 Pro lasts longer even though it has a similar-sized battery as the OnePlus 15.

Both chipsets do a fantastic job when it comes to gaming, and they handle demanding games well. There is some throttling with extended use, but it doesn't affect the image quality in a noticeable way. The only point of contention is overheating — this affects Qualcomm much more than MediaTek. In my use, I found the Redmagic 11 Pro to get considerably hotter than the X300 Pro in gaming sessions lasting over an hour, and while it didn't get as hot as when I ran synthetic tests, it was still uncomfortable to hold.

The X300 Pro also got hot, but it was never to a point where I couldn't hold the device. The maximum it went up to was 43 degrees Celsius, with the Redmagic 11 Pro crossing 48 degrees, and exceeding 52 degrees when running 3DMark tests.

On the whole, I think MediaTek has the edge this time around. I'm not denying that Qualcomm isn't as good, but intermittent issues with overheating have proven to be annoying, and I don't see that with my X300 Pro or Find X9 Pro.

What you need to know

• Google confirmed it will release regular GPU driver updates for the Pixel 10 series to improve performance.
• The Tensor G5 chip runs cooler than before, but still shows limited performance gains in high-end gaming tests.
• Users report lag and freezing in games like Genshin Impact, pointing to outdated GPU drivers as the main cause.
• The Pixel 10 currently uses an older GPU driver version, but Google might roll out newer drivers soon.

Google has faced criticism for rendering issues with high-end games on the Pixel 10 series and general graphics problems. The company has now clarified that it plans to release GPU driver updates for the Pixel 10 lineup to improve performance.

In a statement to Android Authority, Google confirmed that monthly and quarterly system updates for the Pixel 10 series will continue to bring GPU improvements. The company said the September and October patch releases already contained GPU driver enhancements. "In future releases, we are planning further GPU driver updates," it told the publication.

Google switched to TSMC for the Pixel 10 series' Tensor G5 chipset, which should have theoretically brought major improvements. While heating has reduced compared to the previous generation, the overall performance gains on the Tensor G5 aren't substantial.

GPU driver updates could boost Pixel 10's gaming performance

Some users have recently reported that the Pixel 10 struggles to handle games like Genshin Impact, with noticeable lag and freezing. Thankfully, Google plans to release GPU driver updates that could deliver much-needed graphics performance improvements.

For context, the Tensor G5 chipset on the Pixel 10 uses Imagination Technologies' PowerVR DXT-48-1536 GPU, which offers up to 1.5 TFLOPS FP32 performance (on paper). However, the Pixel 10's performance still trails behind phones like the Galaxy S25 Ultra or OnePlus 13.

That's partly because the Pixel 10 ships with outdated GPU drivers. Some Reddit users discovered that the Tensor G5 uses version 24.3 of the driver, which doesn't support Android 16.

And even though Imagination Technologies has already released version v25.1 with Android 16 and Vulkan 1.4 compatibility, Google has yet to update the Pixel 10's drivers. That could explain why the Pixel 10 lags behind other flagship Android devices in gaming performance.

It's possible Google's statement about upcoming GPU driver updates refers to these newer versions, though the company hasn't provided a timeline. Unfortunately, even the latest Android 16 QPR2 Beta 3.1 update doesn't include these driver updates for the Pixel 10 series, so we might have to wait a bit longer for meaningful improvements.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold is Google's finest foldable yet

Just like the rest of the Pixel 10 series, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold might not look too different on the outside, but it has some pretty significant upgrades on the inside. One of the biggest in my book is the IP68 rating for dust and waterproofing. No other foldable has managed to achieve this level of rating yet, making the 10 Pro Fold the first to do it. The best we've had so far is an IP48 rating, which debuted with Samsung's foldables in 2024.

The other big change is the Tensor G5 chip, which unlocks more advanced on-device AI capabilities and performance. The latter is still not quite up to par with the competition, as we found out in our Pixel 10 review. The addition of magnets underneath the back panel of the Pixel 10 Pro Fold makes it the first foldable to natively support Qi2 wireless charging. Google calls this Pixelsnap, but it's essentially a way to use any MagSafe accessories directly with the 10 Pro Fold, without a case.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold is currently one of the best Android phones around. It comes in Moonstone and Jade trims, and you can pre-order it now, with open sales starting from October 9, 2025. The Fold still offers a physical SIM slot, unlike the rest of the series that have done away with it. Prices start at $1,799 for the base 16GB/256GB configuration, and the storage goes up to 1TB.

One impressive fact about the new Pixel 10 Pro Fold is that Google claims it can "handle over 10 years of folding." Google is confident about its new gearless hinge and the other durability improvements made to the folding display. The phone also has a sizeable battery which should easily let it last for more than a day on one charge. We'll be putting the 10 Pro Fold through our rigorous review process and will have the final verdict on whether it's worth it or not very soon.

For more news and information on Google's latest phones, check out our Ultimate Guide.

For the past five years, Google Pixel phones have been powered by an in-house system-on-a-chip (SoC) designed by Google. The company's chips have come a long way since then, culminating in the Tensor G5 platform that powers the Google Pixel 10 series. Tensor G5 features more custom components than ever, improving performance and optimization, all while using TSMC's industry-leading 3nm process node.

Tensor G5 doubles down on what Google silicon does best, refining performance for everyday tasks, improving stability and battery life, and adding power for on-device AI processing. In a way, it also doubles down on what Google silicon isn't — Tensor G5 is not a benchmark-killer and will always lag behind Qualcomm and Apple designs. With that being said, it's upgraded in all the right places, making the Google Pixel 10 series a joy to use.

Here's everything you need to know about the Tensor G5 mobile platform, including benchmark tests against all the best Android phones and processors.

Tensor G5: Features, specifications, and upgrades

Tensor G5 marks the highly anticipated switch to TSMC as Google's chip manufacturing partner. The first four generations of Tensor chips were made by Samsung Foundry, which has struggled to keep up with TSMC's advanced fabrication processes. Specifically, the Tensor G5 chip is manufactured using TSMC's 3nm process node — the same one that serves as the foundation for Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite and Apple's A18 Pro.

Google explains that this new manufacturing technology helps it "pack more transistors into the chip so it’s more powerful and efficient." The company claims the Tensor G5's CPU is 34% faster on average than the Tensor G4. It's even better for AI tasks, as the Tensor G5 tensor processing unit (TPU) is up to 60% more powerful. There's no official word on how much better graphics performance is compared to Tensor G4, but you'll see in our tests that there are clear improvements.

Some of the new Tensor G5 components include a new image-signal processor (ISP), which is expected to result in better photos and videos. Additionally, there's a new display controller, which may be a contributing factor to Google adding PWM sensitivity toggles for the first time on the Pixel 10 Pro. The upgrades extend beyond raw performance, although speeds are definitely improved as well.

Lastly, Google touts Tensor G5 as being capable of running the newest Gemini Nano model on-device. Beyond that, this new Gemini Nano model runs 2.6x faster and 2x more efficiently, according to Google.

Tensor G5: Benchmark tests and comparisons

Past generations of Tensor processors resolved critical issues like overheating and stability. Now, Pixel users are looking to the Tensor G5 to bring performance that's finally on par with Apple and Qualcomm chipsets. Does the Pixel 10, powered by Tensor G5, live up to the hype? The answer is mixed, because while the Tensor G5 platform makes the Pixel 10 better for daily use than ever, it still lags behind in synthetic benchmark tests.

In CPU-heavy benchmarks like Geekbench 6, we see both the Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro models produce slightly higher results than the Pixel 9 series. The Pixel 10 Pro puts up better numbers than the base Pixel 10, even though both are powered by Tensor G5. This is likely because the Pixel 10 lacks the vapor chamber used to cool the Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL, resulting in better performance and stability on the more expensive models.

While the Tensor G5 chip beats both the Tensor G4 and Samsung Exynos 2500 processors in single-core tests, the Exynos 2500 actually pulls ahead in multi-core performance. The Tensor G5 platform falls short of even coming close to either the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite or the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processors.

Even the Tensor G5's TPU doesn't make a splash in benchmark test, with memory being the determining factor in AI performance. With just 12GB of RAM, the base-model Pixel 10 loses in the Geekbench AI benchmark to both the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy and Exynos 2500 chips. The Pixel 10 Pro fares better with 16GB RAM, beating Samsung's chip but still falling short of Qualcomm.

Notably, the Tensor G5 appears to be very underpowered for gaming, according to benchmark results. Neither the Pixel 10 nor the Pixel 10 Pro could break the 20FPS barrier in 3DMark's Wild Life Extreme test, whereas the winner (Snapdragon 8 Elite) posted a result of 38.27FPS. This continues a trend of Pixel phones, and Tensor processors, being very weak where graphical performance is concerned.

Tensor G5: Daily use and performance

Of course, benchmarks only tell part of the Tensor G5 story. The more important part is arguably how the silicon fares in daily use of the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Pixel 10 Pro XL. There's good news and bad news in that department. While our testing of the Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL revealed gaming improvements — it ran Minecraft and Genshin Impact at 60FPS, whereas the Pixel 9 Pro would be lucky to hit 40FPS — those are still lackluster figures for games that aren't that demanding.

If mobile gaming is part of your "daily use" of a smartphone, you might want to steer clear of a Tensor G5-powered device. It just isn't going to compete with a Qualcomm or Apple-powered smartphone in terms of graphics. However, if you're not a big smartphone gamer, the Tensor G5 chip seems a lot more appealing.

It adds quality-of-life features like Magic Cue and Camera Coach, improves CPU and TPU performance, and upgrades camera quality with a new ISP. None of those changes is going to make a material difference on a spec sheet or a benchmark result, but they do make an impact in everyday use of a Google Pixel 10.

The Pixel 10 and Google's excellent software update promise

The Google Pixel 10 series is here, and we finally know just how long Google plans to support its latest flagship phones. Like its predecessor, the Pixel 10 series will continue to receive the same software update promise of more recent Pixel generations, meaning it will get seven years of OS upgrades and seven years of software updates.

Google has made this a standard for Pixel phones starting with the Pixel 8 series. This is one of the best software update promises in the industry, with other companies like Samsung and Honor also promising seven years of updates.

The difference with Pixels, however, is that they also come with frequent Pixel Drops, which bring a host of new features at least once a quarter alongside security patches. This means that users can expect new features throughout the year, not just when a major Android version drops.

In addition to Pixel Drops and monthly security updates, users will also get Android feature drops, which, like Pixel Drops, add new features for all Android phones, Pixel or otherwise. Pixels also frequently receive bug fixes to ensure that the software remains stable, making these phones incredibly reliable.

This is all thanks in part to the custom Tensor G5 chipset, which enables more advanced features, camera improvements, better efficiency, and enhanced overall performance. With this update promise, Google will support the Pixel 10 series until at least 2032, so if you're the type to hold on to your phones for a long time, then the Pixel 10 may be for you.

For more news and information on Google's latest phones, check out our Ultimate Guide.

What you need to know

• Google is reportedly working with TSMC to produce its Tensor chips for the next three to five years.
• The company seems to be moving away from Samsung, considering TSMC's processes are likely more reliable than those of Samsung Foundry, in making advanced chips.
• The report also claims that Google wants to amp up production of these chips to keep up with other generative AI counterparts like Open AI's Chat GPT.

According to a recent report, Google could allegedly be working with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) for the mass production of its Tensor chips for the next couple of years (first reported by Digi Times).

According to the publication, Google's senior executives from the U.S. recently visited TSMC in Taiwan to discuss the possibility of the chip maker mass-producing Tensor chips for the company.

"They visited TSMC to discuss the issue of switching Pixel phones to chips manufactured by TSMC. The cooperation between the two parties has been envisioned to at least 3 to 5 years later," the publication states.

There have been several reports indicating that the Tensor G5 chip, said to power the Pixel 10 series, is also being mass-produced by TSMC. The chip is supposedly being manufactured on a 3nm node.

With this move, Google could have the autonomy to design other core components of the Tensor chip, based on the needs of the device, focusing on performance, efficiency, or even AI — tailor-made for its Pixel phones.

"As Google continues to promote its cloud-based TPU chips, its collaboration with IC design, server, and liquid cooling companies is expected to increase," the publication added.

If the above rumors are anywhere close to being true, then TSMC's and Google's partnership could last all the way until 2029, with the release of the Pixel 14 series. With Google showing off its latest advancements in AI at the recent I/O, it could be cooking up something much more powerful for their upcoming flagship devices in the future, which is why they could be looking in TSMC's direction.

Back in March, another rumor caught wind, that Google could be collaborating with MediaTek to develop its next gen Tensor chips, after nearly a decade of working with Broadcom. An internal source stated that the company would be relying on the Taiwan chipmaker for an economical way of producing its in-house chips.

While these reports are exciting, it's important to note that these are still rumors and have not been officially confirmed by any of the companies.

Google has equipped Pixel smartphones with its own in-house systems-on-a-chip (SoCs) for four generations. While the company designs the majority of Tensor processors, it doesn't make them; instead, it chooses to outsource the fabrication of these chips to Samsung Foundry. This year that may change, as the unannounced Tensor G5 SoC will reportedly be produced by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC).

TSMC is far and away the industry leader in semiconductor manufacturing, and the best smartphone processors — including the Apple A18 Pro and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite — use its flagship 3nm process node. Google will reportedly begin using TSMC's 3nm process to make its Tensor G5 processors, opening the door for big performance and quality improvements. But how big of a deal is it really to the average user?

This week, Android Authority revealed a detailed component list for the Tensor G5 SoC, shedding light on the planned changes. According to the report, these are the supposed changes Google will make to Tensor chips, starting with the Tensor G5:

A switch from Samsung Foundry to TSMC should result in a few high-level benefits for Google. For starters, Samsung Foundry has struggled to make smaller chips reliably at desirable yield rates. Its issues designing 4nm and smaller chips have been well-documented, and it's reported that unfavorable yield rates are the reason there isn't an Exynos-powered Samsung Galaxy S25 model.

Meanwhile, TSMC's advanced processors have been around longer, and its manufacturing processes are likely more reliable than those of Samsung Foundry. For instance, overheating was a key problem for Apple's A17 Pro chip, which was manufactured using TSMC's older 3nm process. It already worked out those kinks, and Google can reap the benefits with the Tensor G5.

As our own Jerry Hildenbrand recently unpacked, 3nm processors can fit more components or run more efficiently than larger SoCs. However, it's often the other kinds of engineering work that make a tangible difference. That's why Google's component swaps rumored for the Tensor G5 could make all the difference.

What may change with the Tensor G5

Samsung-fabricated Tensor processors often use off-the-shelf components manufactured by the South Korean company to fill in the gaps between Google's custom designs. With the TSMC-fabricated Tensor G5, Google is taking the opportunity to design more of its own components.

The most eye-catching part of the leaked spec sheet is certainly the Google-design image-signal processor (ISP) set to become part of the Tensor G5 chip.

ISPs are responsible for processing the information coming in from a phone's camera lenses, and they are crucial to getting great-quality photos and videos. A bad ISP can cause excellent camera lenses to produce poor output and vice versa. As such, we might be able to expect better photos and videos from the same camera hardware with the Tensor G5 chip and beyond.

Older Pixel phones, like the Tensor G4-powered Pixel 9, used Samsung-designed ISPs with small Google tweaks. Now that Google is purportedly developing a custom ISP from start to finish, it's likely that future Pixel flagships will have hardware and software stacks that are better optimized, at least where the cameras are concerned.

Additionally, Google is reportedly replacing Samsung-made controllers — like the USB and display controllers — with licensed parts from companies such as Synaptics. This could give the company more or less flexibility in tweaking and optimizing how they work with Pixel hardware, depending on how they are implemented.

What wouldn't change with the Tensor G5

The reason why you might think a switch to TSMC isn't a big deal is that there are a few major holdovers from the Samsung Foundry era. While the GPU included in the Tensor G5 is predicted to be the Imagination Technologies DXT, the CPU will still feature Arm Cortex cores. Aside from the bump that comes with moving from a 4nm to a 3nm process, that means the Tensor G5 could perform similarly to older generations.

The Tensor G5's audio processor, memory controller, digital signal processor, and tensor processing unit will all still be custom components designed by Google. The latter two components are tabbed to be next-generation versions specifically for the Tensor G5. As the TPU handles AI-based tasks, this could be a sign that the Tensor G5 in the Google Pixel 10 may be able to handle more AI operations on-device.

With all these holdovers, plus the same USB3 controller, it's not like Google is completely starting over with the Tensor G5 chip.

A TSMC-made Google Tensor chip opens new possibilities

I'm optimistic that the switch from Samsung Foundry to TSMC could give Google more flexibility in designing future Tensor chips, including the Tensor G5, that are better optimized for Pixel phones. While it's true that Google would likely still use off-the-shelf components for some parts of the SoC, it would have more flexibility in choosing which components are best fit for Pixel hardware needs. Previously, Tensor chips seemed to default to Samsung components when a third-party option was needed.

For example, the pulse-width modulation (PWM) controller in the Tensor G5 is said to be the Faraday Technologies FTPWMTMR010. Those who aren't PWM-sensitive might not notice such a small tweak, but Pixel phones are known for having extremely low PWM frequencies. These can cause pain and headaches for a portion of the population, and the switch from a Samsung controller to a Faraday Technologies controller could give Google the flexibility to natively offer higher PWM rates — or disable PWM altogether.

It's unclear whether Google would do something like this, but that's the dream scenario for a move such as this one. Ideally, the switch from Samsung Foundry to TSMC could give Google the flexibility to identify problems with its hardware and correct them, either with off-the-shelf parts or custom components. If Google can take these kinds of steps, we'll look back on the Tensor G5 switch as a turning point for Pixel hardware.

What you need to know

• A report claims Xiaomi is moving away from Qualcomm and MediaTek when it comes to its phone chips.
• As a result, the Chinese OEM may put its investments into creating phone chips in-house for its 2025 series.
• Google started down a similar path as it was reportedly moving away from Samsung's Semiconductors to create its own chip before leaning on TSMC for production.

New murmurings state Xiaomi is interested in dropping outside creators for its smartphone chip in 2025.

According to a report by Bloomberg, the Chinese OEM is supposedly pursuing a future where it develops its SoCs in-house for its devices. The publication cites those close to the mater in saying Xiaomi could begin "mass production" of its personalized chipset in 2025.

The report highlights Xiaomi's close relationship with Qualcomm; however, this move to develop its own chip could help Xiaomi become "self-sufficient."

The company is reportedly interested in "reducing" its reliance on outside chip suppliers like Qualcomm and MediaTek. In working with Qualcomm, the publication states Xiaomi deployed certain additions on top of its chip like extra power management capabilities and "graphic enhancements."

However, branching out and developing a chip in-house would give Xiaomi the tools and leeway to create an SoC to its taste. Additionally, it seems this was expected of Xiaomi. The publication highlights a comment made by the company's Chairman and CEO Lei Jun in October, which involved Xiaomi's planned 2025 investment of 30 billion yuan (~$4.1 billion).

Lei Jun stated this money would be put forth toward the development of chips, as well as OS improvements and AI. Xiaomi fueled its 14T Pro with loads of AI software — even some backed by Google — but it looks interested in evolving that side of its software.

Another report by DigiTimes suggests Xiaomi's chip will be based on the 3nm process (via WCCFTech). The Chinese publication also (allegedly) confirmed that Xiaomi will launch its custom SoC for its phones next year, doubling down on what we've heard from Bloomberg.

Creating a custom chip would give an OEM everything it needs to develop the right chip for its phone — just like Google. It was reported that the OEM was pursuing the idea of parting ways with Samsung's Semiconductors in favor of TSMC. This process was reportedly going to take a couple of years before consumers would see its affects in the next-generation of Pixels.

The project was originally supposed to start with project "Redondo," but difficulties caused it to crumble. What resulted was a slightly stronger Tensor G4. However, the true upgrade is expected to be the Tensor G4, codenamed "Laguna."

A Taiwanese report claimed Google started testing its Tensor G5 chip ahead of its TSMC switch in January. It was then followed up by reports that said Google finished designing its (expected) 3nm process chip in July, which means it has the greenlight to kick start its production.

The publication alludes to the possibility of Xiaomi leaning on TSMC for the production of its chip. The Taiwanese company is involved in its own issues at the moment. TSMC reportedly had several of its parts find their way into Huawei's Ascend 910B AI accelerator, which is an act the U.S. government forbade them from doing. Despite TSMC not knowing — and reporting what happened itself — there's a chance the U.S. could instruct companies within its boundaries to avoid contact with the Taiwanese OEM.

What you need to know

• The Tensor G5 chip's design is reportedly finished and ready for manufacturing, using TSMC's latest 3nm process for better performance and battery life.
• Google's move from Samsung to TSMC for the Tensor G5 signals a shift to fully custom chips.
• Google switched from Samsung supposedly due to challenges with 3nm chip production, citing low yields and high power consumption.

The Google Pixel 10 is expected to launch in 2025, but development is already well underway. A new report suggests that the core chipset, known as the Tensor G5, has completed its design phase (tape out) and is ready for manufacturing.

A new report from Taiwan hints at a big change in Google's approach to the Pixel 10's processor (via Notebookcheck). The upcoming Tensor G5 is said to be manufactured based on TSMC's latest 3nm process, aiming to boost both performance and battery life. This move marks a shift away from Google's previous partnership with Samsung, where they worked together on chip production and design, especially for the first Tensor chip.

The supposed completion of the Tensor G5 design reinforces Google's move towards a fully customized chip strategy. This exclusivity could mean future Android phones from the search giant will be able to offer unique features and address past issues. 

Battery life and thermal management, which have been notable pain points for recent Google phones, might see major improvements as well.

Reportedly, Google chose to part ways with Samsung due to difficulties in producing 3nm chips at the South Korean tech giant's foundries. The main issues cited were low yields and high power consumption, which could lead to shortages and poor battery performance.

Google's Tensor G5 is a big deal because it could help the company build a complete package. It would be able to control everything from the chip and operating system to the apps and device itself, which gives it a leg up in the smartphone race. Plus, the Tensor G5 is set to turbocharge Google's AI efforts, making on-device AI even smarter and more immersive.

Up to now, all Tensor chips have been rooted in Samsung's Exynos line. Predictably, similar to Exynos, Tensor chips have wrestled with overheating problems that can sap battery life and hinder performance—something Google Pixels haven't always excelled at.

Completing the Tensor G5 design gives Google nearly a year to rigorously test its performance and efficiency, fine-tuning as needed along the way.

What you need to know

• Google Pixel 10 series is likely to be powered by Tensor chips made by TSMC and not Samsung.
• New obtained database information by Android Authority seemingly confirms the Tensor G5 (Laguna codenamed) chipset manufacturers.
• Additionally, the Pixel 10 series could finally feature 16GB of RAM as well.

While the Pixel 9 is the next anticipated series from Google, new information already gives exciting details about the successor Pixel 10 series, specifically the chipset that will be powering those models.

It was rumored that Google is ditching Samsung for its in-house developed Tensor G5 chip, which likely powers the Pixel 10 series. However, new findings from Android Authority indicate that TSMC will be producing the upcoming Tensor G5 chip and not Samsung.

The publication obtained publicly available trade databases that add evidence to the earlier predicted rumors. The databases indicate the companies that ordered goods—Google (as Shipper) and Tessolve Semiconductor (as Consignee) are mentioned—and the description of the goods gives us away some additional details.

The description broken down by the publication reveals the Google part number, chip's code name "laguna (LGA)," goods' type, packing type, manufacturer, and the number of tests the mentioned chipset has passed. TSMC is evidently mentioned as the manufacturer, and the packaging technology is InFO POP, which is believed to be associated exclusively with TSMC.

As noted by the Android Authority report, the other parameters mentioned indicate that Google is still testing the new chip, and it is expected to be at least 16 months away from the official release, which aligns with the Pixel 10 series lineup. The database further mentions the RAM capacity of 16GB, which is an interesting detail to look forward to as it is a significant bump from the current model's RAM capacity. 

For the uninitiated, the current Tensor chips, including the upcoming Tensor G4 powering the Pixel 9 series, are co-developed by Google and Samsung, which has been the case since the first Tensor chip in 2021. 

Parting ways from Samsung suggests Google is gaining more control over its Tensor chips, similar to what Apple does with A and M series chips. It also means that the existing thermal problems on Tensor-powered Pixel chips might eventually be resolved and could lead to better overall performance, although we'll have to wait to see these chips in action to gauge the improvements.