Google’s Tensor SoC (System-on-a-Chip) line is stepping up in a big way. A fresh leak hints at an upgrade that could bring it into Apple territory—no small feat, considering Apple’s A-series chips have been setting the standard for years. The key? Google is gearing up to make its Tensors “fully custom,” and the change could come as soon as the Pixel 10, thanks to a move from Samsung manufacturing to TSMC, the industry giant also making chips for Apple.
According to insider Kamila Wojciechowska, who reported for Android Authority, internal docs from Google’s “gChips” division reveal that Google is set to make the switch to TSMC for the Tensor G5 in next year’s Pixel 10. And this TSMC partnership is set to extend beyond the G5, powering the Tensor G6 in the Pixel 11 and possibly all future Google devices.
Google’s Tensor G5 & G6 Set to Use 3nm Tech, Matching Apple’s High-End Chips
The rumor mill says Tensor G5, codenamed “laguna,” will leverage TSMC’s 3nm-class N3E node, the same process Apple’s A18 chip is using in the new iPhone 16 series. And for the Pixel 11’s Tensor G6, code-named “malibu,” Google is eyeing TSMC’s even newer N3P node, which no consumer device has touched yet. Apple might use the same node for its iPhone 17 series, meaning Google and Apple could end up using identical manufacturing tech by 2025.
These TSMC 3nm-class nodes promise big gains, including boosted speed, enhanced efficiency, and a slight shrink in chip size. Android Authority reports that PPA (Power, Performance, Area) improvements with the N3P node could increase performance by 4.5% over the N3E. Meanwhile, the newer node would allow a 6% power reduction at the same clock speeds, plus a 4% size reduction, which could mean even better battery life for Pixel users.
No 2nm Process Yet, But We’re Getting Closer
While the 2nm process TSMC is developing won’t be hitting Google’s chips just yet, Tensor G5 and G6 still mark a significant leap forward. Google’s current 4nm Tensor G4 is praised for its AI abilities and battery efficiency, but when it comes to raw power, the Pixel lineup has struggled to keep pace with Apple’s A-series chips. With this move to TSMC’s 3nm tech, though, Google might just close that power gap.
For Pixel fans hoping for an SoC that can truly compete with iPhone’s silicon, it looks like their patience may finally pay off.
