Google’s Tensor G4 may be a minor upgrade over G3

Google‘s Tensor-series custom processors for Pixel phones have failed to live up to the expectations so far. They have struggled with performance, thermal management, and efficiency. The company has improved things with each new generation but it has been a slow progress. This year’s Tensor G3 for the Pixel 8 series doesn’t seem to leave all the woes behind, and next year’s Tensor G4 may not either. The 2024 chip appears to be a minor upgrade over Tensor G3.

The Tensor G4 could be nothing but an improved G3

Google started using custom processors in Pixel phones in 2021. The first-gen Tensor chip featured a Samsung-developed CPU and GPU. The chip was manufactured by Samsung Foundry too. With the Tensor G2, Google started developing GPU on its own but the CPU was still made by the Korean firm. It’s the same story this year as well. There were rumors that Google might self-develop the CPU for the Tensor G4, but that doesn’t seem to be happening.

According to the Korean media, next year’s Google chip will still have a Samsung CPU. More importantly, the CPU could be an upgraded version of the Tensor G3. So it might not bring major performance improvements. The chip will reportedly bear the codename “Zuma Pro.” The latest Tensor is codenamed “Zuma,” so that tells you a lot about the Tensor G4. It may not deliver a generational leap in performance.

The new report adds that Samsung will manufacture the Tensor G4. Well, if the CPU is developed by the Korean behemoth, it’s no wonder that it gets the manufacturing duties as well. It will fabricate the chip on its third-gen SF4P 4nm process. Samsung manufactured the Tensor G3 on its 4nm SF4 process. The newer process node should bring some efficiency and performance gains, but there may not be any major improvements.

The fifth-gen Tensor might bring a lot of changes

Google’s Tensor chips may finally come good in 2025. Rumors have it that the company will develop both CPU and GPU in-house for the Tensor G5, which will power the Pixel 10 series. It may also switch to TSMC’s foundry for the chip. The Taiwanese firm’s foundry tech is regarded as superior to Samsung’s, though the latter is catching up to it fast. Time will tell whether Google picks Samsung or TSMC. More importantly, we’ll have to wait and see if manages to fix its Tensor woes over the next couple of years.