Google’s mobile division is set to make a major change in 2025 by switching from Samsung to TSMC for its Tensor chips. This move is expected to bring a 3nm process to the upcoming Tensor G5 chip, which will be used in Pixel devices.
Since the release of the first Tensor chip in the 2021 Pixel 6 series, Google has been working with Samsung to produce subsequent chips. The switch to TSMC is a significant departure from this partnership and signals a new era for Google’s chip manufacturing strategy. The company is in the process of developing a fully customized Tensor chip with TSMC, which is reportedly called the Tensor G5.
Business Korea reports that the upcoming Tensor G5 chip will utilize TSMC’s 3nm process. This move follows a trend in the industry, with Apple already using the 3nm process in its 2023 iPhone 15 Pro lineup. Other chip manufacturers like Qualcomm and MediaTek are also expected to adopt the newer process in their future chip generations. The current Tensor G3 chip is based on a 4nm Samsung process, making the transition to the 3nm TSMC process inevitable by the end of 2025.
Samsung is facing challenges with performance and power efficiency, especially with its upcoming Exynos 2500 chip. Reports suggest that power consumption and thermal performance of Samsung’s chips are not as efficient as those based on TSMC’s 3nm process. Analysts predict that Samsung may move back to using Snapdragon chips exclusively for its Galaxy S25 lineup next year.
Overall, Google’s switch to TSMC for its Tensor chips represents a significant development in the mobile chip manufacturing industry. The move to the 3nm process is expected to improve performance and power efficiency of Google’s upcoming Pixel devices. This change underscores Google’s commitment to innovation and its willingness to adapt to new technologies in order to stay competitive in the mobile market.
Article Source
https://9to5google.com/2024/06/19/google-pixel-tensor-g5-3nm-tsmc-report/
