Google''s Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro were launched in India earlier this month. According to a new study, the Pixel 7 processor, which was previously slated to be based on Samsung''s 4nm fabrication process, would increase by 60 percent, as a result of the Pixel 7 series'' speed and battery efficiency increase. Google has not verified whether this improvement will be linked to a new fabrication process or other improvements.
In a collaboration with the Android Authority, Google has confirmed that the Tensor G2 SoC used in the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro are built on a 5nm process, instead of the previous 4nm process.
The half gate pitch on a chipset is half of the distance between the Fins of a transistor gate. Considering there are billions of transistor gates on a single SoC, a nanometer of difference in size might assist in power consumption, space utilisation, and performance. The decrease in the amount of an individual transistor means that more of them might fit into the same-sized chip, making the chip more powerful.
Google claims to have focused on Tensor G2 SoC''s machine learning capabilities as outlined in a next-generation TPU rather than breaking heads over the fabrication process.
"We purpose-built Google Tensor G2 for real-world use cases. Our final design, which includes 5nm, helped us achieve this objective while increasing performance and power efficiency. This approach also allowed us to add new capabilities while taking a step forward on machine learning," said a Google spokesperson in the interaction with the Android Authority.
Google did not confirm who made the chip, while it is widely known that Samsung is the company''s chief partner. Samsung has two 5nm nodes in its stratagem, which includes the 5LPE process used for the original Tensor G1 SoC, and a fresher 5LPP process. However, the company hasn''t confirmed the process.
The Tensor G2 SoC was previously reported as having benchmark clock speeds that did not allow for an improved fabrication process. Kuba Wojciechowski created a Geekbench listing that included two 2.85GHz ARM Cortex-X1 cores, two ARM Cortex-A78 cores at a 2.35GHz clock rate, and the four ARM Cortex-A55 cores at 1.8GHz.
The upcoming Tensor G2 will utilize the same CPU cores as the first gen Tensor, the Mali-G710 GPU, according to Google - details below pic.twitter.com/xbZVFhMc1l
Kuba Wojciechowski (@Za_Raczke) September 16, 2022
The Tensor G2 SoC is said to be compatible with a Mali-G710 GPU for improved gaming and HDR performance. It is also expected to be compatible with a second-generation EdgeTPU processor. It is reportedly compatible with LPDDR5 RAM. It has a shared L3 cache of 4MB and an 8MB total system cache.
The next-generation Tensor G2 SoC is said to have an improved image signal processor (ISP) that allows it to record 4K 60fps videos on all cameras. The chipset is apparently capable of handling a 108-megapixel camera without sticking or lag.
The fact that the Tensor G2 SoC will be built as a 5nm processor instead of a higher 4nm will make a significant difference to the competition position and actual performance that the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro will adorn, or if the performance will remain a minor on-paper detail, remains to be seen.