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Google Tensor

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This article is about the system-on-chip. Not to be confused with Tensor Processing Unit, TensorFlow, or Tenor (website).

Google Tensor is a series of system-on-chip (SoC) processors designed by Google for its Pixel devices. The first-generation chip debuted on the Pixel 6 smartphone series in 2021, and were succeeded by the second-generation chip on the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro smartphone series in 2022.

Background

Development on a Google-designed system-on-chip (SoC) first began in April 2016, though Google CEO Sundar Pichai and hardware chief Rick Osterloh agreed it would likely take an extended period of time before the product was ready.[1] The next year, the company assembled a team of 76 semiconductor researchers specialized in artificial intelligence and machine learning, which has since increased in size, to work on the chip.[2] By April 2020, the company had made "significant progress" toward a custom ARM-based processor for its Pixel and Chromebook devices, codenamed "Whitechapel".[3] At Google parent company Alphabet Inc.'s quarterly earnings investor call in October, Pichai expressed excitement at the company's "deeper investments" in hardware, which some interpreted as an allusion to Whitechapel.[4] In April 2021, it was reported that Whitechapel would power Google's next Pixel smartphones.[5]

Google officially unveiled the chip, named Tensor, in August, as part of a preview of its Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro smartphones.[6][7] Previous Pixel smartphones had used Qualcomm Snapdragon chips,[8] with 2021's Pixel 5a being the final Pixel phone to do so.[9] "Tensor" is a reference to Google's TensorFlow and Tensor Processing Unit technologies, and the chip is developed by the Google Silicon team housed within the company's hardware division, led by vice president and general manager Phil Carmack alongside senior director Monika Gupta,[10] in conjunction with the Google Research division.[2] In September 2022, The Verge reported that a Tensor-powered successor to the Pixelbook laptop with a planned 2023 release had been canceled due to cost-cutting measures.[11]

Models

First-generation (2021) Second-generation (2022)
SoC Model number GS101 (S5P9845)[5][12] GS201 (S5P9855)[13][14]
Codename Whitechapel[5] Cloudripper[13]
Manufacturer Samsung Electronics[5] Samsung Electronics[15]
Fabrication 5 nm LPE[2][16] 5 nm[17][18]
CPU ISA ARMv8.2-A[19] ARMv8.2-A
Bit width 64-bit[19] 64-bit
µarch Octa-core:[10][2]
2.8 GHz Cortex-X1 (2×)
2.25 GHz Cortex-A76 (2×)
1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 (4×) 		Octa-core:[20]
2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 (2×)
2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 (2×)
1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 (4×)
Security TrustZone (Trusty OS)[21]
Titan M2 security chip[22]
Tensor security core[21] 		TrustZone (Trusty OS)[23]
Titan M2 security chip[24]
Tensor security core[21]
GPU µarch Mali-G78 MP20[2][10] Mali-G710 MP7[20]
Frequency 848 MHz[16] ?
RAM Type LPDDR5[16] LPDDR5[20]
Bus width 4×16-bit quad-channel[16] 4×16-bit quad-channel[25]
Bandwidth 51.2 GB/s[16] 51.2 GB/s
ISP NPU edgeTPU[16] 2nd Gen edgeTPU[26]
Storage type UFS 3.1[27][28] UFS 3.1[29][25]
Connectivity Modem Exynos 5123[16] Exynos 5300[30]
Wireless Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E[27][28] Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E[25][29]
Bluetooth 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD[27][28] Bluetooth 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD[29][25]
Navigation Dual-band A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, QZSS[27][28] Dual-band A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, QZSS[25][29]

First-generation

The first-generation Tensor chip debuted on the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, which were officially announced in October 2021 at the Pixel Fall Launch event.[31][32] It was later reused for the Pixel 6a, a mid-range variant of the Pixel 6 series which was announced in July 2022.[33] Despite being marketed as developed by Google, close-up examinations revealed that the chip contains numerous similarities with Samsung's Exynos series.[12][16]

Second-generation

A second-generation Tensor chip was in development by October 2021.[13] At the annual Google I/O keynote in July 2022, Google announced that the chip would debut on the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro smartphones,[34] which were officially announced on October 6 at the annual Made by Google event. The chip is marketed as "Google Tensor G2".[35]

Third-generation

In August 2022 it has been discovered that work on a third-generation Tensor chip has already begun under the codename "Ripcurrent".[36] The model number "S5P9865" confirms the chip is still co-developed with Samsung's Exynos devision as a semi-custom design. At the time of this writing no further information is known but following Google's release history the chip is destined for the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro set to release in 2023.

Reception

The first-generation Tensor chip was positively received. Philip Michaels of Tom's Guide praised the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro's Tensor-powered features and video enhancements,[37] as did Marques Brownlee and Wired's Julian Chokkattu.[38][39] His colleague Lily Hay Newman also highlighted the chip's security capabilities, declaring them Tensor's strongest selling point.[40] Jacon Krol of CNN Underscored wrote that Tensor delivered "some of the most fluid and fastest performance" on a smartphone,[41] though Android Authority's Jimmy Westenberg was ambivalent.[42] Ryne Hager of Android Police thought the chip's performance was acceptable to the everyday user, but was disappointed that Google did not offer more years of Android updates given it was no longer bound by Qualcomm's contractual terms.[43] TechRadar reviewer James Peckham commended Tensor as a "standout feature",[44] though his colleague David Lumb described the chip's performance as "strong but not class-leading".[45]

See also

References

  1. ^ Bohn, Dieter (October 19, 2021). "Sundar Pichai and Rick Osterloh Think the Pixel 6 is Google's Breakout Phone". The Verge. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e Tibken, Shara (October 19, 2021). "Google Pixel 6's Tensor Chip Aims to Make the Android 12 Phone Smarter and Last Longer". CNET. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
  3. ^ Fried, Ina (April 14, 2020). "Scoop: Google readies its own chip for future Pixels, Chromebooks". Axios. Archived from the original on May 5, 2022. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  4. ^ Langley, Hugh (October 29, 2020). "CEO Sundar Pichai says some of Google's 'deeper investments' in hardware will be revealed next year. Here's what they might be". Business Insider. Archived from the original on October 30, 2020. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  5. ^ a b c d Bradshaw, Kyle (April 2, 2021). "Exclusive: Pixel 6 will be powered by new Google-made 'Whitechapel' chip". 9to5Google. Archived from the original on April 2, 2021. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  6. ^ Bohn, Dieter (August 2, 2021). "This is the Pixel 6, Google's take on an 'ultra high end' phone". The Verge. Archived from the original on August 2, 2021. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  7. ^ Lumb, David (August 2, 2021). "Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro are official, and they have a visor-like camera". TechRadar. Archived from the original on August 2, 2021. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  8. ^ Nieva, Richard. "Google's Pixel 6 phones are coming with a chip designed in-house". CNET. Archived from the original on August 1, 2021. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  9. ^ Winkelman, Steven (August 17, 2021). "With Pixel 5a, Google Beefs Up the Battery, Gives Snapdragon Chip One Last Hurrah". PCMag. Archived from the original on August 17, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2022.
  10. ^ a b c Amadeo, Ron (October 19, 2021). "The "Google Silicon" team gives us a tour of the Pixel 6's Tensor SoC". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  11. ^ Heath, Alex; Pierce, David (September 12, 2022). "Google canceled its next Pixelbook and shut down the team building it". The Verge. Archived from the original on September 12, 2022. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  12. ^ a b Schoon, Ben (November 3, 2021). "Google Tensor deep dive shows the Pixel 6 chip's Exynos roots, 'beastly' but hindered GPU, more". 9to5Google. Archived from the original on November 3, 2021. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  13. ^ a b c Mohan, Babu (October 29, 2021). "Google is reportedly already working on a new Tensor chip for the Pixel 6 successor". Android Central. Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
  14. ^ Wright, Arol (August 28, 2022). "Samsung is already testing the third-generation Tensor chip, set to debut on the Pixel 8". Android Police. Archived from the original on August 28, 2022. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  15. ^ Bradshaw, Kyle (April 2, 2021). "Exclusive: Pixel 6 will be powered by new Google-made 'Whitechapel' chip". 9to5Google. Archived from the original on April 2, 2021. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  16. ^ a b c d e f g h Frumunsanu, Andrei (November 2, 2021). "Google's Tensor inside of Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro: A Look into Performance & Efficiency". AnandTech. Archived from the original on November 2, 2021. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  17. ^ Wilde, Damien (October 11, 2022). "Tensor G2 confirmed as 5nm processor, not 4nm as expected". 9to5Google. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  18. ^ "Google Tensor G2 is a 5nm chip, despite what the internet might say". Android Authority. October 10, 2022. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  19. ^ a b Sarwar, Nadeem (September 6, 2022). "The Pixel 6a should be an amazing $450 gaming phone, but it isn't". Digital Trends. Archived from the original on September 6, 2022. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  20. ^ a b c Claburn, Thomas (October 6, 2022). "Google reveals Pixel 7 phones with 1.7 Stadias of security fixes promised". The Register.
  21. ^ a b c Kleidermacher, Dave; Seed, Jesse; Barbello, Brandon; Somogyi, Stephan (October 27, 2021). "Pixel 6: Setting a new standard for mobile security". Google Online Security Blog. Archived from the original on October 28, 2021. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  22. ^ "Pixel 6 Pro". Google Store. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  23. ^ "Google Tensor G2 on the Pixel 7 series picks up where the original Tensor left off". XDA. October 6, 2022. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  24. ^ "The latest and greatest: meet Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro". Google. October 6, 2022. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  25. ^ a b c d e "Tensor G2 vs Google Tensor: tests and benchmarks". NanoReview.net. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  26. ^ "Google Tensor G2 on the Pixel 7 series picks up where the original Tensor left off". XDA. October 6, 2022. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  27. ^ a b c d "Pixel 6 Tech Specs". Google Store. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
  28. ^ a b c d "Pixel 6 Pro Tech Specs". Google Store. Archived from the original on October 26, 2021. Retrieved October 19, 2021. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; October 22, 2021 suggested (help)
  29. ^ a b c d "Google Pixel 7 Pro - Full phone specifications". www.gsmarena.com. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  30. ^ Bradshaw, Kyle (February 18, 2022). "First details of Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro come roaring out: 2nd-gen Tensor, new Samsung modem". 9to5Google. Archived from the original on February 18, 2022. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  31. ^ Hollister, Sean; Lawler, Richard (October 5, 2021). "Google just announced its Pixel 6 event on October 19th". The Verge. Archived from the original on October 5, 2021. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  32. ^ Rutherford, Sam (October 19, 2021). "The Pixel 6 Is the Google Flagship We've Been Waiting For". Gizmodo. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  33. ^ Amadeo, Ron (May 11, 2022). "The Pixel 6a is official, and it's set to dominate the mid-range market". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on May 11, 2022. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  34. ^ Bursztynsky, Jessica (May 11, 2022). "Google announces its first smartwatch, a new budget phone and more". CNBC. Archived from the original on May 12, 2022. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  35. ^ Clark, Mitchell; Roth, Emma (September 6, 2022). "Google announces October 6th event to launch the Pixel Watch and Pixel 7". The Verge. Archived from the original on September 7, 2022. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  36. ^ Groenheijde, Michel (August 23, 2022). "Samsung werkt aan nog een nieuwe Google soc (én een nieuwe Exynos)" (in Dutch). Galaxy Club. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
  37. ^ Palmer, Jordan (October 19, 2021). "Google Pixel 6 Pro review: The best flagship phone value". Tom's Guide. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  38. ^ Brownlee, Marques (October 27, 2021). Pixel 6/6 Pro Review: Almost Incredible!. Archived from the original on October 27, 2021. Retrieved October 28, 2021 – via YouTube.
  39. ^ Chokkattu, Julian (October 25, 2021). "Review: Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro". Wired. Archived from the original on October 25, 2021. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  40. ^ Newman, Lily Hay (October 27, 2022). "The Pixel 6 Tensor Chip's Best Upgrade Isn't Speed. It's Security". Wired. Archived from the original on October 27, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2022.
  41. ^ Krol, Jacob (October 27, 2021). "Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro review: The best Android phones you can buy". CNN Underscored. Archived from the original on October 28, 2021. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  42. ^ Westenberg, Jimmy (October 25, 2021). "Google Pixel 6 review: Worth every penny". Android Authority. Archived from the original on October 19, 2022. Retrieved June 7, 2022. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; October 19, 2021 suggested (help)
  43. ^ Hager, Ryne (October 25, 2021). "Google Pixel 6 Pro review: Fake it till you make it". Android Police. Archived from the original on October 25, 2021. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  44. ^ Peckham, James (October 25, 2021). "Google Pixel 6 Pro review". TechRadar. Archived from the original on October 26, 2021. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  45. ^ Lumb, David (October 19, 2021). "Google Pixel 6 review". TechRadar. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
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