Gadgets

Google Tensor G5: Release Date, Price & Specs

Published

2 hours ago

November 16, 2024

Google is gearing up to launch its upcoming Tensor G5 chipset, which could signify a major shift in the company’s mobile silicon strategy. After relying on Samsung’s Exynos architecture for its previous Tensor chips, Google is now expected to unveil a chip designed entirely in-house and manufactured by TSMC.

Here’s everything we know about the Google Tensor G5 so far.

When will the Google Tensor G5 launch?

The Google Tensor G5 is anticipated to make its debut alongside the Pixel 10 series, likely hitting the market in late 2025.

Based on Google’s usual annual release schedule for Pixel devices, we can expect the Pixel 10 lineup to be introduced around October 2025.

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

This timeline aligns with reports indicating that Google has already started testing early samples of the Tensor G5, as revealed in recent shipping records.

Which phones will use the Google Tensor G5?

The Tensor G5 will be featured in Google’s Pixel 10 lineup, succeeding the current Pixel 9 series that was launched in August 2024.

The Pixel 10 series is expected to include the standard Pixel 10, the Pixel 10 Pro, the Pixel 10 Pro XL, and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.

Luke Baker

With the Tensor G5, Google aims to address previous criticisms of its Tensor models, particularly focusing on thermals, battery efficiency, and overall performance.

This transition to an in-house chip design and TSMC manufacturing is expected to enable Google to optimize its Pixel 10 series with improved performance and efficiency, a task hindered by its previous reliance on Samsung’s foundry technologies.

What specs and features will the Google Tensor G5 have?

Android Authority has recently published two comprehensive reports (first report, second report) shedding light on Google’s future chipsets features, directly from Google’s gChips division.

Here’s a breakdown of the most anticipated specs and features of the Tensor G5.

TSMC’s 3nm N3E fabrication process

One of the significant changes for the Tensor G5, codenamed ‘laguna,’ is its production using TSMC’s 3nm N3E node.

This advanced node manufacturing process, also utilized in Apple’s A18 Pro chip for the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, promises a leap in efficiency and performance.

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Previously, Tensor chips faced performance challenges due to Samsung’s process nodes lagging behind those of TSMC. The 3nm process could potentially deliver higher performance and improved power efficiency for the G5, making it competitive with other leading mobile chipsets.

CPU configuration

The Tensor G5 is rumored to sport an updated CPU cluster aimed at balancing power and performance. This configuration might include one Arm Cortex-X4 prime core, designed for demanding tasks.

The mid-tier could consist of five Cortex-A725 cores, enhancing multi-core performance for multitasking. Additionally, two efficiency-focused Cortex-A520 cores could handle low-power tasks, aiding in battery conservation during light usage.

This new configuration, with an emphasis on a larger mid-core cluster, is expected to deliver a noticeable boost in multi-core performance and day-to-day efficiency, aligning with Google’s objectives.

Chris Martin / Foundry

Recently, a mysterious device believed to feature the Tensor G5, codenamed ‘Google Frankel,’ appeared on Geekbench (via GSMArena) scoring 1323 points in a single-core and 4004 points in a multi-core test. For comparison, the Pixel 9 scored 4185 points in our Geekbench 6 multi-core test.

The leaked specs closely match the expected Tensor G5’s specs, including a CPU configuration with one prime core (up to 3.40 GHz), five performance cores (up to 2.86 GHz), and two efficiency cores (up to 2.44 GHz).

However, the listing shows a Power VR graphics unit instead of the anticipated Imagination Technologies DXT-48-1536 GPU. This discrepancy may be due to early testing stages, and the Geekbench scores should be interpreted with caution as they may not reflect the chip’s final performance.

GPU and gaming

For the first time in the Tensor lineup, Google might transition to an Imagination Technologies GPU, specifically the dual-core IMG DXT-48-1536 running at 1.1 GHz.

This GPU upgrade could introduce ray tracing, a first for Google’s Tensor chipsets, enhancing the graphics quality and gameplay experience in mobile gaming.

Luke Baker

Additionally, the GPU may feature virtualization support, enabling accelerated graphics processing in virtual machines.

This addition aligns with Google’s broader focus on virtualized applications and productivity tools, where high-performance graphics can enhance functionality.

Enhanced AI

The Tensor G5 is expected to witness modest improvements in AI processing with an upgraded TPU (Tensor Processing Unit) that enhances machine learning capabilities by around 14% compared to its predecessor.

This TPU might also come equipped with embedded RISC-V cores, allowing for custom operations and making the TPU more versatile in handling various on-device machine learning tasks.