Google Tensor G5 Chip: Powering the Next Generation of Pixel Phones

Google Tensor G5 Chip

The Google Tensor G5 chip is the newest main processor (or “brain”) designed by Google for their latest Pixel smartphones, like the Pixel 10.

Think of it like a new engine for your phone that’s specially tuned to be great at Artificial Intelligence (AI) tasks.

Here is a breakdown of the key features in simple language:

Supercharged for AI: The most important part is the TPU (Tensor Processing Unit), which is dedicated hardware for AI. The Google Tensor G5 Chip’s TPU is much more powerful than before, allowing it to run advanced AI features like the new Gemini Nano model directly on the phone. This means features like real-time language translation, advanced photo editing, and helpful suggestions happen much faster and without needing to constantly send your data to Google’s cloud.
Faster All-Around Performance: The main processor (CPU) is significantly faster (around 34% better) than the previous generation. This simply means all your everyday actions, like opening apps, browsing the web, and multitasking, feel much smoother and more responsive.
Smarter Camera: It has an upgraded Image Signal Processor (ISP) that works with the AI to take the best possible photos and videos. This includes:
- Getting great quality videos, even in low light.
- Making sure different skin tones look accurate in photos (Real Tone).
- Powering new photo tricks like extremely high-zoom capabilities.
Better Battery and Less Heat: The Google Tensor G5 Chip is made using a very modern and efficient manufacturing process (called 3nm by TSMC). This process helps the chip work more efficiently, which should lead to better battery life and less overheating compared to older Pixel phones.
Top-Notch Security: It has new, dedicated security hardware that works with the Titan M2 security chip to keep your personal data and the entire phone protected, from the factory to your hand.

In short, the Google Tensor G5 Chip is Google’s biggest chip upgrade yet, focused on delivering advanced, lightning-fast AI experiences, better camera quality, and improved performance and efficiency, all within the phone itself.

Tensor G5 benchmarks

The Google Tensor G5 Chip chipset, which debuted in the Pixel 10 series, brings notable improvements in CPU and AI performance by switching to TSMC’s 3nm manufacturing process, but its raw performance benchmarks still lag behind competing flagship chips from Qualcomm and Apple.

Here is a summary of the Tensor G5 benchmarks, compared to its competitors:

1. General Benchmarks (AnTuTu)

AnTuTu is a comprehensive benchmark that measures CPU, GPU, memory, and UX performance. The Google Tensor G5 Chip falls significantly short of current-generation flagship processors in overall score, primarily due to its weaker GPU performance.

Benchmark	Google Tensor G5 Chip (Pixel 10 Pro)	Snapdragon 8 Gen 3	Snapdragon 8 Elite
AnTuTu Total Score	~1,291,252 – 1,335,326	~2,087,159	~2,759,190
GPU Score	~382,578	~860,385	~1,132,574

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2. CPU Benchmarks (Geekbench 6)

The CPU performance of the Google Tensor G5 Chip shows a significant generational leap for Google but only matches or slightly exceeds the CPU performance of the previous generation of rival chips.

Metric	Google Tensor G5 Chip	Snapdragon 8 Gen 3	Snapdragon 8 Elite
Single-Core	~2,285	~2,183	~3,033
Multi-Core	~6,191	~6,434	~9,271

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Single-Core: The Tensor G5 is competitive with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 but is notably slower than the top-tier Snapdragon 8 Elite.
Multi-Core: The chip sees gains (up to 34% over Tensor G4) but is outpaced by both the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and the 8 Elite.

3. Graphics & Stability Benchmarks (3DMark)

Graphics performance is the Tensor G5’s most significant weakness.

3DMark Wild Life Extreme Score: The Google Tensor G5 Chip scores in the range of 3,140 to 3,254 which places its GPU performance near that of the two-year-old Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.
Stability (Sustained Performance): While the peak GPU score is low, the Tensor G5 shows very high GPU stability (up to 95.1%) in the 3DMark Wild Life Extreme Stress Test. This means the phone holds onto its peak graphics performance very well under long loads, unlike some rivals that start with a much higher score but throttle more aggressively.

4. AI and Efficiency

Google’s primary focus remains on specialized computing for AI and efficiency:

Tensor Processing Unit (TPU): Google claims the 4th-generation TPU is up to 60% more powerful than the Tensor G4, significantly enhancing on-device AI tasks, such as running the new Gemini Nano model faster and more efficiently.
Manufacturing: The switch to the TSMC 3nm (N3E) process has improved overall efficiency and thermals compared to previous Tensor generations, which helps with battery life and sustained performance consistency, despite the lower peak power.

Final Thoughts

The Google Tensor G5 may not outmuscle Apple’s A18 Pro or Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 in raw benchmarks, but that’s not its purpose.
Instead, Google focuses on AI innovation, user experience, and sustained performance.

With the Tensor G5, the Pixel 10 lineup represents Google’s strongest step yet toward merging hardware intelligence and software excellence — creating a smartphone experience that feels truly personal, fast, and secure.

Google Tensor G5 Chip: Powering the Next Generation of Pixel Phones