The Tensor G5 chip that may energy the Pixel 10 subsequent yr is a marked departure from previous Tensor chips. The Tensor G5 was designed by Google from the bottom up and will probably be produced by TSMC utilizing its second-generation 3nm course of node (N3E). The chip has already been “taped out” which signifies that all the things is prepared for the chip to be mass-produced at TSMC’s fab. Earlier Tensor chips have been based mostly on Samsung’s Exynos chips with some customization from
Google.
Google supposedly switched from Samsung Foundry to TSMC for the Tensor G5 due to Samsung’s low yield on its manufacturing of 3nm chips
which reportedly is simply 20%. It seems that Google will proceed to stay with TSMC for the Tensor G6 which may very well be constructed on TSMC’s 2nm node for the 2026 Pixel 11 sequence. Alternatively, corporations like Apple and Qualcomm will produce sufficient A19 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 utility processors to make it financially viable for them to have TSMC use its newest superior chip-production know-how which will probably be 2nm by late subsequent yr.
The variety of Pixel items produced every year is small in comparison with the variety of telephones utilizing Apple’s newest A-series chipset and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 chipset. Consequently, it is likely to be too costly for Google to modify to 2nm manufacturing rapidly for the Tensor G6. A extra sensible answer could be to have the Tensor G6 manufactured utilizing TSMC’s third-generation 3nm course of node (N3P).
The Tensor G5 would be the first Tensor AP manufactured by TSMC. | Picture credit-unknown
Pixel homeowners often aren’t shopping for the gadget due to zippy quick Geekbench scores so there in all probability would not be a lot of a problem if Google decides to have the Tensor G6 manufactured utilizing a 3nm node. Whatever the node Google in the end chooses to construct the Tensor G6 on, it might seem that Samsung has misplaced Google’s foundry enterprise relating to the Tensor chip.
An business insider advised Enterprise Korea, “”If Google collaborates with TSMC, it may take a substantial period of time earlier than they return to Samsung for manufacturing. Enhancing yield charges to show product efficiency is the most effective plan of action.” Samsung Foundry signifies that it’s engaged on enhancing its manufacturing yield nevertheless it is likely to be too late to maintain Google as a buyer, at the least over the following few years.
