Google Tensor G4 SoC would be just a minor upgrade over Tensor G3

Google Pixel 8 series is all set to arrive on October 4 and we have heard a lot about it. A recent report has shed light on Tensor G4 SoC, the successor to Pixel 8’s Tensor G3 SoC, which will arrive with next year’s Pixel 9 series. Turns out the chipset could have a modest improvement in performance squashing the earlier reports claiming a leap in performance.

According to tipster Tech_Reve, Google is speculated to use Samsung’s 4LPP+ node based on the 4nm process for Tensor G4 SoC. It is the same process that the Exynos 2400 SoC followed. We had intel about Google’s move to use Samsung’s 3GAP node based on the 3nm process. With this tectonic shift, Tensor G4 SoC will fall way behind the 3nm chips that the competitors have already started rolling out. Apple’s A17 Pro Bionic chipset is based on a 3nm node while the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC uses the 3nm process from TSMC as well.

The tipster broke down the architecture for Tensor G4 SoC. Accordingly, it will use a 3-core design consisting of high-octane Cortex-X4, Cortex-A720 and Cortex-A520 cores. The arrangement remains a question at the moment although G3 SoC uses a 1+4+4 arrangement. Perhaps, the predecessor could give some tell-tale sign about the successor although let’s take it with a pinch of salt.

Moving on, we have the GPU onboard Tensor G4. It is likely to feature the Immortalis-G715 CPU that ARM launched back in June 2022. It is estimated to have a 15% improved performance and will greatly benefit from hardware-accelerated ray tracing. Yep, the Tensor G4 SoC will be using the HW-powered tech just like Apple A17 Pro.

The Tensor G4, known as ‘Zuma Pro’ won’t be a big upgrade as per a Google Insider. It acts as a sitting point for the chip as we gear up for the TSMC-made Tensor G5 SoC that will use a 3nm node. This fully custom-made SoC will power the Google Pixel 10 series that will launch in October 2025. It has a codename Laguna Beach and will carry a baseboard named “ChallengerDeep”. For context, Tensor G3 carries a baseboard named “Ripcurrent” while G4 has “Ripcurrent Pro”.