While we know Google is working on a large, fully-customized Tensor chip for 2025, a new report sheds some light on the niche that is the Tensor G4, a chip slated to appear in 2024 in the Pixel 9 line.
The third iteration of Google Tensor, as previously announced, is expected to be quite a big upgrade over the previous models. Much more modern hardware, a new layout, improvements to Samsung’s 4nm manufacturing process and an obvious cooling upgrade make for what could be a much better Tensor chip. But it looks like the upgrade won’t be nearly as big next year.
Android Authority reports citing “Google insiders” that the Tensor G4 in the Google Pixel 9 isn’t expected to be much of an upgrade.
Rather, it will only be a slight improvement over the Tensor G3. Where the Tensor G3 is known as “Zuma”, the Tensor G4 is said to be codenamed “Zuma Pro”. The chip is still being produced with Samsung’s help and manufacturing, and is apparently based on the “Ripcurrent 24” development board, as opposed to the Tensor G3 “Ripcurrent” board. What’s actually new is hard to say at this point, but the codenames certainly indicate a fairly tame year-over-year update.
This minor upgrade is apparently due to the fact that the Tensor G4 is actually a chip sitting in limbo while we wait for Google’s fully in-house chip, which is supposed to be the Tensor G5 in the “Pixel 10”.
This has been largely known since a report earlier this year revealed that Google’s own TSMC-built chip has been delayed until 2025 after originally being slated to debut in 2024. This latest report adds that the chip’s codename is “Laguna Beach”, with the motherboard being “ChallengerDeep”.
Of course, all of this is still quite a way into the future, and we’re still waiting for the Tensor G3’s actual debut. The new chip, which seems reasonably promising compared to past models, is expected in the Pixel 8 series, which Google has confirmed will be fully revealed on October 4.
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