Google’s Tensor G4 chipset, powering the latest Pixel 9 lineup, has sparked considerable interest in the tech community. With promises of improved performance and efficiency, the Tensor G4 aims to surpass its predecessor, the Tensor G3. This article delves into the advancements and compares the two chipsets to determine how much progress Google has truly made.
Performance Enhancements
The Tensor G4 features an eight-core CPU configuration, a shift from the nine-core setup of the Tensor G3. Despite having one fewer core, the Tensor G4 boasts higher clock speeds and newer ARM cores, which contribute to a 14% improvement in CPU performance. The Mali-G715 GPU remains the same, but the Tensor G4’s GPU frequency is slightly elevated, enhancing gaming and graphical performance.
The Tensor G4’s CPU cluster includes one Cortex-X4 core clocked at 3.10GHz, three Cortex-A720 cores at 2.60GHz, and four Cortex-A520 cores at 1.95GHz. In contrast, the Tensor G3 comprises one Cortex-X3 core at 2.91GHz, four Cortex-A715 cores at 2.37GHz, and four Cortex-A510 cores at 1.70GHz. These upgrades in the Tensor G4 result in better single-threaded and multi-threaded performance, as evidenced by higher Geekbench scores.
Efficiency and Battery Life
Efficiency is a key focus for the Tensor G4, with improvements aimed at reducing power consumption while maintaining performance. Both chipsets are built on Samsung’s 4nm process, but the Tensor G4 benefits from Samsung’s enhanced 4LPP+ process node and FOWLP packaging. These advancements contribute to better thermal management and power efficiency.
Battery life remains a critical aspect for mobile users, and the Tensor G4 delivers on this front. The chipset’s optimized power consumption ensures longer battery life, even during intensive tasks. This is particularly beneficial for users who rely heavily on their devices for gaming, streaming, and multitasking.
Connectivity and AI Capabilities
The Tensor G4 introduces a significant upgrade in connectivity with the inclusion of the Samsung Exynos 5400 5G modem. This modem supports peak download speeds of up to 14.79Gbps, a substantial improvement over the Tensor G3’s Exynos 5300 modem, which maxes out at 3.0Gbps. This enhancement ensures faster and more reliable internet connectivity, crucial for modern smartphone users.
AI capabilities also see a boost with the Tensor G4. The chipset features Google’s custom TPU (codename Rio) and DSP (codename Callisto), which enhance machine learning and AI tasks. These improvements enable more efficient processing of AI-driven applications, such as voice recognition, image processing, and real-time translation.
