Google Tensor

Google’s Tensor reboot of the Pixel lineup has never been about adding more power, but rather about creating an experience tailored to what Google wants your phone to be. With the Pixel 10, Tensor G5 takes a big step in the right direction, but its increased gap with the competition begs the question – is Tensor enough for the Pixel 10?

The story of Google’s Tensor chipsets has been one full of compromise and slow improvements over time, but Google says that the Pixel 10’s Tensor G5 is its “biggest leap in performance yet.” Now that early reviews have arrived, we can talk about what it’s like to use, and also see the (still unimpressive) benchmarks.

The Pixel 10 series is powered by the Tensor G5, Google’s biggest upgrade to its custom silicon. 

Yesterday, a bombshell report alleged that Samsung found itself “shocked” by Google’s switch to TSMC foundries for the upcoming Pixel 10 series rumored to arrive later this summer. According to reporting from The Bell, the Tensor G5 swap is being called “the Google incident” internally, with this drama apparently serving as some sort of wake-up call to the company as a whole.

According to a new report, Google’s switch from Samsung’s foundry to TSMC for the Tensor G5 chip in the upcoming Pixel 10 series was a “shock” for Samsung, and is serving as a wake-up call for the company’s foundry efforts.

Google is switching its Tensor production to TSMC for this upcoming generation and, to make that happen, Tensor G5 will reportedly incorporate a selection of off-the-shelf components to replace Samsung-made portions of prior chips, including the use of a fully custom ISP.

Google is expected to release the Pixel 9a later this week, but the leaks haven’t stopped as the device has now received the customary YouTube unboxing which has also seemingly confirmed that the modem inside isn’t on par with the rest of the Pixel 9 series.

Codenames for the Pixel 11 have already emerged, with Google opting for a bear theme in 2026. Meanwhile, Google might apparently use Tensor G4 on the Pixel 10a as a possible cost-cutting measure.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.