Detailed specifications of Google’s highly-anticipated Tensor G3 chipset, set to debut in the upcoming Pixel 8 series this autumn, have now emerged. In a significant move two years ago, Google unveiled Tensor, its inaugural custom System-on-a-Chip (SoC) designed for smartphones.
Through a strong collaboration with Samsung’s semiconductor division and leveraging its own engineering expertise, Google has now progressed to the second iteration of its distinct Tensor chip, which currently powers the Pixel 7 series.
While some critics have pointed out the chip’s relatively lower performance compared to top-tier alternatives, the undeniable success of recent Pixel models serves as a testament to the accomplishments achieved through prioritizing AI capabilities.
The Tensor G3 chipset will be constructed using Samsung Foundry’s cutting-edge 4nm (4LPP) manufacturing process and will include a nine-core CPU as well as a ten-core GPU. In terms of the CPU configuration, the upcoming Tensor G3 chipset is expected to feature a single Cortex-X3 core with a maximum clock speed of 3GHz, four Cortex-A715 cores capable of reaching up to 2.45GHz, and an additional four Cortex-A510 cores with a clock speed of up to 2.15GHz. In comparison, the previous Tensor G2 chip consisted of two Cortex-X1 cores, two Cortex-A78 cores, and four Cortex-A55 cores, totaling eight cores, which is one core less than the G3 variant.
The GPU component of the Tensor G3 chip employs ARM’s latest design, featuring ten Immortalis-G715 GPUs with clock speeds reaching up to 890MHz. This advanced GPU architecture enables hardware-accelerated ray tracing capabilities. Furthermore, in conjunction with Samsung MFC (Multi-Format Codec), the Tensor G3 supports encoding and decoding of 8K video content at up to 30 frames per second in both h.264 and HEVC formats.
Google’s upcoming Tensor G3 chipset offers insights into Samsung’s potential reentry into producing high-end mobile chips, particularly with the rumored Exynos 2400. It is speculated that the Exynos 2400 might feature a comparable nine-core or even ten-core CPU to the Tensor G3.
However, Samsung’s chip could bring an enhanced Xclipse GPU based on AMD RDNA2 architecture, potentially offering four times the number of cores. These GPU advancements would enable the Exynos 2400 to support 4K video encoding and decoding at 120 frames per second, as well as 8K video at 30 frames per second.
In addition to the aforementioned GPU enhancements, the rumored Exynos 2400 chipset could potentially surpass the Tensor G3 in various aspects. It is speculated that the Exynos 2400 might introduce support for UFS 4.0 storage, which offers faster data transfer speeds and improved performance. Furthermore, it may incorporate LPDDR5X RAM, providing enhanced memory capabilities compared to the Tensor G3. Additionally, the Exynos 2400 could feature a faster modem, potentially offering improved connectivity and network capabilities.
Recent Geekbench 5 test scores indicate that the Tensor G3 chipset is already undergoing testing. The test results align with previous information, confirming the expected 4 + 4 + 1 CPU configuration consisting of four Cortex-A715 cores, four Cortex-A510 cores, and a single Cortex-X3 core. These findings provide further evidence of the development and progress of the upcoming Tensor G3 chipset. Notably, the tested device achieves an impressive single-core score of 1186 and a multi-core score of 3809, further highlighting its potential performance capabilities.
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