Development of the Tensor G5 at TSMC for the Pixel 10 is progressing

In July 2023, Google’s move from Samsung to TSMC for the Tensor G5 was definitively announced, and further confirmation today shows that work on the Pixel 10 continues.

Information Last year we reported on how Google was originally trying to release its “first fully custom chip” in 2024. Deadlines for this “Redondo” chip were missed even after features were removed, the emphasis being placed on 2025 and “Laguna” – the code names for the chips. are beach themed.

What will likely be called the “Tensor G5” would be based on TSMC’s 3-nanometer manufacturing process and use the integrated output to reduce thickness and increase power efficiency.

Android Authority today shared a statement/description of a commercial database that confirms the nature of TSMC and InFO_PoP:

G313-09488-00 IC, SOC, LGA, A0, OTP, V1, InFO POP, NPI-OPEN, CP1/2/3 & FT1/2 & SLT TEST, TSMC, 16 GB SEC, BGA-1573, 1.16 mm

Below is A.A. annotated breakdown of what it all means:

It’s worth noting that this first chip revision features Samsung’s 16GB of RAM, like the Pixel 9 Pro. More RAM is needed to support on-device generative AI, like Gemini Nano and its upcoming multimodal capabilities.

It is also interesting to note that Google in Taiwan was the exporter and Tessolve Semiconductor (a chip verification and testing provider) in India was the importer. Like TSMC, Google has a significant hardware engineering presence in Taiwan, while last year’s report highlighted that the majority of Tensor silicon engineers are based in India.

InFO_PoP, the industry’s first wafer-level 3D distribution package, provides high-density RDL and TIV capabilities to integrate a mobile AP with a DRAM package stack for mobile applications. Compared to FC_PoP, InFO_PoP has a thinner profile and better electrical and thermal performance due to the absence of organic substrate and C4 bump.

TSMC

If development went as planned, the new chips would have coincided with the Pixel 9’s new design language to make it clear that Google is offering a new generation of phones.

Instead, the Tensor G4 would be a minor upgrade that remains made by Samsung. This delay puts an asterisk on this year’s phone lineup. The new design and features might be compelling, but waiting another year for what should be a better chip will be on people’s minds.