The upcoming Pixel 10 series, set to release in late 2025, is poised to debut Google’s Tensor G5, a system-on-chip (SoC) noted for its use of TSMC’s advanced 3nm ‘N3E’ architecture. This development, despite introducing some intriguing features such as a new CPU cluster and ray tracing support, does not include Google’s in-house cores as seen in Snapdragon’s latest offering. Such expectations inevitably lead us to recent benchmark leaks and, unfortunately, the results might leave some tech enthusiasts underwhelmed.
The latest benchmark figures suggest that the Tensor G5’s performance pales in comparison to its rivals. A device codenamed ‘Google Frankel’, running Android 15, was put to the test on Geekbench 6. The results revealed a CPU configuration of ‘1 + 5 + 2’, with one Cortex-X4, five Cortex-A725, and four Cortex-A520 cores. This setup delivered a single-core score of 1,323 and a multi-core score of 4,004. Notably, Apple’s M4 Max single-core performance still overshadows the Tensor G5’s total multi-core score.
This disparity can suggest two possibilities: either the chipset is still in early testing, which might explain its lower scores, or Google might not prioritize directly competing with the top-tier processors on the market. A Google executive has previously mentioned that the Tensor G4 was not engineered to set speed records but to enhance user experience, a philosophy that likely carries over to the Tensor G5.
While optimizing software is crucial for improving user experience, there is no denying that chips lacking high performance scores can lag behind in executing demanding tasks like running complex applications or playing high-end games. We remain hopeful for updated Tensor G5 benchmarks that promise more competitive performance. Keep an eye out for future updates to see how Google’s latest chip measures up.
