The Google Pixel 10 isn't expected to debut until 2025, but its development process appears to have already begun. According to a report, its chipset, the alleged Tensor G5, has reached the “tape out” stage, meaning its design process is complete and it can be sent for manufacturing. This development builds on earlier speculation that the Tensor G5 will be fully customized by Google, rather than based on a Samsung Exynos SoC.
Google completes the chipset design process in the Pixel 10 series
According to a report from Taiwan's Commercial Times, the Tensor G5 chipset design process has now been completed and is ready to be manufactured. This stage, known as “tape out”, is said to be critical as it now allows the company to produce the chipset in a foundry and thoroughly test it.
The publication claims that the California-based tech giant has reached an agreement with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the foundry expected to be responsible for its manufacture. Now that the design process is complete, the chip can now be manufactured, giving Google almost a year to test its performance and efficiency, or make improvements, if needed.
The Tensor G5 is said to be developed entirely by Google, unlike the previous four generations which were based on an Exynos chip from Samsung. This exclusivity may not only allow the company to add specific features to the Pixel 10 series, but also improve the shortcomings of previous generations, especially in terms of battery optimization and thermal management, two of the problems that have affected Google smartphones in recent times.
The next-generation Tensor G5 chip is expected to be built using TSMC's second-generation 3nm node (N3E), further simplifying the initial N3B process. A smaller chip size usually has smaller components that are said to offer better power efficiency. In addition, this small size allows the manufacturer to integrate more transistors, increasing its performance capabilities for computing tasks.
The chip is expected to debut with the Google Pixel 10 series next year. On the other hand, the Pixel 9 series, which is expected to be launched on August 13 at the Made by Google event, is speculated to have the Tensor G4 chipset under the hood, which will still be based on a Samsung processor.
