By Rajesh Pandey
Publication Date: 2025-12-08 05:39:00
Despite major changes, Google’s Tensor G5 inside the Pixel 10 has failed to live up to its promise. The chip has been heavily criticized for its subpar performance, especially the new PowerVR GPU. Google seems to have addressed this problem to a certain extent with the December Android 16 QPR2 update.
The Tensor G5 is fabricated on TSMC’s more efficient node. It also uses a newer PowerVR GPU from Imagination Technologies. On paper, performance shouldn’t be a concern, yet Pixel 10 users report otherwise. Since launch, they have complained about poor gaming performance, along with janks and stutters in general use.
Multiple theories point fingers at the outdated PowerVR GPU drivers as the culprit, as the version the Pixel 10 ships with even lacks Android 16 support. Google even confirmed it will roll out more GPU driver updates for the Tensor G5 in the future.
While the stable Android 16 QPR2 release doesn’t update the PowerVR DXT-48-1536 GPU driver — the version number…