Tensor G5 is expected to include a number of off-the-shelf components to replace Samsung-made parts of previous chips, including the use of a totally bespoke ISP, as part of Google’s decision to move its Tensor production to TSMC for this upcoming generation.
Since the beginning, Tensor chips have mostly been a combination of components created or built by Google and those made by Samsung. This is because Google has used Samsung’s foundry and Exynos chips to help make Tensor a reality. However, as has long been known, Tensor G5 in the Pixel 10 will use TSMC instead of Samsung, creating certain gaps in Google’s chip manufacturing process.
According to a new report from Android Authority, there are a handful of off-the-shelf components that Google will be switching to.
According to reports, Tensor G5 will keep using a number of Google’s current designs (with improvements) that were included in Tensor G4 and other earlier Samsung-made chips, such as the TPU, DSP, memory compressor, and audio processor. However, it will have to swap out a few parts to make room for the switch to TSMC, including:
- GPU: Arm Mali > Imagination Technologies DXT
- Video codec: Google “BigWave” & Samsung MFC > Chips&Media WAVE677DV
- Display controller/2D GPU: Samsung DPU > VeriSilicon DC9000
- Image Signal Processor: Google-customized Samsung ISP > Fully custom Google ISP
- Physical layer controllers: Samsung > Synopsys DesignWare IP cores
- SPMI controller: Samsung > SmartDV SPMI
- PWM controller: Samsung > Faraday Technologies FTPWMTMR010
- UFS controller: Samsung > Unknown third-party
The ISP is the most noticeable change here, since Google is reportedly developing a completely unique approach. Beginning with the 2017 “Pixel Visual Core” in the Pixel 2 series, Google has utilized its own ISP in a number of Snapdragon-powered Pixel phones. Prior to Google releasing the proprietary chip before Tensor’s 2021 launch, that developed into the “Pixel Neural Core” with the Pixel 4.
The end user will not likely notice many of the component changes Google is making, but it will be fascinating to observe if the different swaps have any positive or negative effects. The replacement of the current Samsung choices with a MediaTek modem is another noteworthy change that was previously publicized.
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