In a surprising twist, it seems that the anticipated Tensor G5 chipset from Google, initially thought to be in early testing for the upcoming Pixel 10 series, wasn’t exactly what it appeared to be. Rumors had circulated that the Tensor G5 had made a lackluster debut on Geekbench 6 with unimpressive scores in single-core and multi-core tests. However, new insights reveal this wasn’t the case.
The chipset that caught everyone’s attention on the benchmark wasn’t the future Tensor G5 but rather a variant of the Tensor G4, featuring a PowerVR GPU and a different CPU arrangement. This information was brought to light by tech enthusiast @Richard_Milier, who disclosed that this was actually an early prototype aimed at testing and compiling new GPU drivers for the Tensor series.
The Tensor chipset line, known for powering Google’s Pixel smartphones and tablets, has traditionally lagged behind in benchmark tests compared to its competitors. Yet, for those eyeing the Pixel 10, there’s a silver lining: the actual Tensor G5 is still in development. According to a developer from Google, who shared insights in an online discussion, the system-on-chip (SoC) design remains unfinished, suggesting room for significant improvements before its official release.
Adding to the intrigue is the involvement of Imagination Technologies, set to integrate their PowerVR DXT-48-1536 GPU into the Tensor G5. This chip is expected to run at 1.10GHz and potentially support advanced features such as ray tracing and virtualization. However, with driver updates still pending, it confirms that the Geekbench results couldn’t have been from the finalized Tensor G5.
The seemingly final stage of Tensor G5’s development, known as tapeout, may have misled some tech enthusiasts into erroneous conclusions. As the anticipation builds, it’s crucial to remain cautious about such leaks and stay tuned for forthcoming developments. For now, it’s clear that the journey to the Pixel 10 and its cutting-edge technology is still unfolding, and enthusiasts will need to wait a bit longer for definitive insights into the next generation of Google’s Tensor chips.
