Google’s Tensor processors utilized in its Pixel telephones have lengthy been manufactured by Samsung. Nonetheless, the corporate is broadly tipped to modify from Samsung to TSMC for the Tensor G5 processor within the Pixel 10 sequence.
We anticipate this alteration to translate into Pixel telephones that would last more and run cooler. However will this alteration actually remedy Google’s processor issues? We requested this query final week, and right here’s what you instructed us.
Over 8,100 votes had been solid in our web site ballot, and simply over two-thirds of respondents felt that switching from Samsung to TSMC would remedy Google’s processor woes.
Web site person clubpenguinmaster2005 was tentatively optimistic about this alteration:
I really like my Pixel 7 Professional, first machine I’ve owned for two years+ with none main slowdowns, and I’m on android 16 beta, being 2 generations behind and nonetheless having beta releases is nice. My solely criticism is occasional overheating and okay battery life (battery is 2 years previous to be honest). I used to be ready till google switched to TSMC earlier than shopping for one other pixel, and if the early evaluations go properly, I will likely be shopping for a pixel 10 professional.
Person craigdmacauley felt that Google ought to’ve made this transfer way back:
I’m advantageous with Google doing Tensor, however not doing it with TSMC has been an enormous mistake. Hopefully it’ll get higher. The latest Exynos chips from Samsung have been horrible, and that’s traditionally what Tensor has been based mostly on. I’m glad they jumped ship now, however want they’d finished it faaaaar sooner.
In the meantime, just below 33% of surveyed readers felt that switching to TSMC received’t remedy Google’s smartphone processor points.
Reader jonathan.figueroa.nic rightfully factors out that Tensor efficiency will probably be far behind rival chips, however that they’re anticipating different enhancements:
Even with TSMC’s assist, the efficiency will nonetheless be years behind the most recent Snapdragon chips. Do I care? Nope. Does a lot of the Pixel person base care? Nope. Do most cellphone customers care? NOPE…On the finish of the day, Pixel telephones have carried out, and can proceed to carry out, simply advantageous for his or her tier. TMSC will give us extra good issues like thermal administration, battery life, and effectivity, which is all wins in my e book. However Google wasn’t horrible or poor in any of those areas.
Reader Mihir Shetye additionally accurately notes that Google’s design selections had a bearing on its Tensor chips. Take a look at an excerpt of his remark beneath:
Whereas it’s affordable in charge the Tensor’s thermal, throttling, and thus battery life points on Samsung’s relatively inefficient manufacturing nodes,it’s not the identical for efficiency limitations which is especially as a consequence of Google intentionally selecting older and fewer performant ARM core elements for designing it’s CPU and GPU to avoid wasting on value moreover notably decreasing clock speeds on all cores. Final yr’s Exynos 2400 despite the fact that lagging behind the 8 gen 3 was notably sooner than the G4,so yeah efficiency points with the latter have extra to do with Google deliberately being conservative for a wide range of causes.
Apparently, we additionally noticed many feedback from readers who stated they didn’t have efficiency or heating points with their Pixel telephones to start with. For one, person Scott Jastrow felt that the change to TSMC was a “answer in the hunt for an issue,” including that he was very proud of the Pixel 9 Professional’s efficiency and battery life.
In any occasion, it looks as if surveyed readers expect large issues from the Pixel 10 and its TSMC-made Tensor G5 processor. I’m not personally anticipating a significant enhance to peak efficiency, however my fingers are crossed for diminished heating, longer battery life, and improved sustained efficiency.
