Google’s next wave of Pixel phones isn’t expected to abandon the company’s in-house silicon anytime soon. While the Pixel 11 lineup is widely rumored to arrive later this year with the Tensor G6, a fresh leak suggests Google is already deep into development of the chip that will power next year’s Pixel 12 family: the Tensor G7.
According to a new leak shared by MysticLeaks on Telegram, Tensor G7 is currently tied to the codenames “Lajolla” or “LaJolla,” a name that appears to reference the La Jolla area in San Diego. Beyond the codename, the leak doesn’t provide detailed specifications yet, but it does reinforce a clear message: Google is sticking with the Tensor roadmap rather than switching to a top-tier Snapdragon or MediaTek processor for its flagship Pixel phones.
Manufacturing-wise, expectations are that Tensor G7 will continue along the same cutting-edge path. The Tensor G6 is rumored to be Google’s first mass-produced 2nm chip made by TSMC, and Tensor G7 may remain on 2nm as well—likely benefiting from a more refined version of that process node as TSMC improves its 2nm technology. If that plays out, Pixel 12 could see gains in efficiency and thermals, even if Google’s approach to performance stays consistent with past generations.
That said, anyone hoping for Google to suddenly chase benchmark dominance may want to temper expectations. Historically, Tensor chips have been designed around Google’s priorities—practical day-to-day performance, AI and machine-learning features, and Pixel-exclusive experiences—rather than raw speed. Even Google’s current fastest chip, the Tensor G5, is described as only slightly ahead of the older Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in pure compute performance.
This continuing gap has been a sticking point for many buyers, especially as Pixel phones increasingly compete in premium price territory against rivals that often deliver faster chip performance. For Google, the challenge is clear: if Pixel pricing stays high, expectations for flagship-level speed will keep rising too. As development continues, Tensor G7 will be watched closely to see whether Google finally narrows the performance gap—or doubles down on its “smarter, not just faster” strategy for the Pixel 12 generation.
