The upcoming Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro smartphones are expected to feature a significant upgrade in the form of a new chipset. According to leaked information from a source inside Google, Android Authority has obtained detailed insights into the upcoming Tensor G3 chipset, which is rumored to replace the Tensor G2 found in the Pixel 7 series.
The Tensor G3 chipset is said to utilize 2022 ARMv9 cores, which are more modern compared to the previous generation. The arrangement of cores is also expected to change, with a single powerful Cortex X3 core accompanied by four Cortex-A715 cores and four Cortex-A510 cores. This combination allows for a balance between power and energy consumption.
The Tensor G3’s core configuration aligns it with other flagship Android devices, such as the Samsung Galaxy S23 series featuring the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset. While the arrangement of nine total cores on the Tensor G3 is not conventional, it represents a substantial upgrade over the Cortex X1 found in the Tensor G2, providing users with increased processing power.
In addition to the improved CPU, the Tensor G3 is rumored to introduce a new Arm Immortalis-G715 GPU that supports ray tracing, enhancing the graphics capabilities of the Pixel 8 series. The chipset is also expected to support 8K video recording, although it remains uncertain if this feature will be fully utilized by the Pixel 8 series due to potential heat management challenges faced by previous Pixel devices when recording in 4K.
The Tensor G3 is likely to bring advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) as well, thanks to an upgraded Tensor Processing Unit (TPU) running at 1.1GHz, compared to 1GHz on the Tensor G2. While clock speed alone may not indicate a significant improvement, the Tensor G2’s TPU already demonstrated a 60% performance boost for camera and speech tasks despite the same clock speed. Specific details regarding the AI improvements in the Tensor G3 are yet to be disclosed.
Additional enhancements with the Tensor G3 include a new digital signal processor (DSP) to potentially enhance photography capabilities and support for UFS 4.0 storage, which offers faster and more efficient performance compared to the UFS 3.1 supported by the Tensor G2. These features bring the Tensor G3 in line with offerings from flagship devices like the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra.
Moreover, the Tensor G3 is expected to support new security technologies and operate exclusively on a 64-bit architecture, eliminating 32-bit libraries and capabilities. While this change is likely to improve performance, it may not have a significant impact, as support for 32-bit apps was already removed in the Pixel 7.
The leaked information also suggests that the Tensor G3 will utilize an Exynos Modem 5300, similar to the Tensor G2, albeit with a slightly different version. This choice raises concerns due to known thermal and power consumption issues associated with the Exynos Modem 5300. It remains unclear why Google did not consider an alternative module considering the known problems.
Overall, the rumored Tensor G3 chipset represents a substantial upgrade compared to its predecessor, surpassing the transition from the Tensor G1 to G2. While previous Tensor chipsets have focused on AI capabilities rather than raw processing power, this year’s iteration might bridge the gap and offer increased performance while still prioritizing AI. The public can expect more details to emerge around October, when the Pixel 8 lineup is anticipated to launch.
