Since Google debuted its first Tensor chip for Pixel smartphones, the processor has been manufactured by Samsung Foundry. After four generations, the company seems to be parting ways with Samsung Foundry and joining forces with TSMC to develop its next-gen Tensor chip, the Tensor G5, which will power the Pixel 10 devices.
The information spotted by Android Authority suggests that Google’s Tensor G5 chip, which will be used for the Pixel 19 series, will be developed by TSMC. According to a publicly available trade database, Google LLC has shipped a new chip from Taiwan to an Indian firm, named Tessolve Semiconductor, for testing.
The chipset’s description reveals more details, including the chip’s internal codename, chip type, revision, tests passed, manufacturer, RAM, and much more.
Also Read: Samsung Dethrones Apple In Global Smartphone Shipments
Why Has Google Parted Ways With Samsung Foundry?
The Tensor G5 chip has been in the news for a while and can be seen as ‘LGA’ in the document. The chip is packaged using InFO POP (Integrated Fan-Out Package-On-Package), a chip packaging technology from TSMC. The chip description also mentions A0, which is the earliest revision available. SLT means system-level testing done with the chip, a process of using the chip in an actual smartphone.
Besides, TSMC’s name is also mentioned in the description, alongside 16GB RAM manufactured by SEC (Samsung Electronics). The packaging type of the processor can also be seen in the document. The chip is said to be 1.16mm thick, as per the information shown in the document.
Google and Samsung Electronics have worked closely for four years on this in-house chip. Early Tensor chips were largely based on high-end Exynos chips, with some parts being designed by Google. However, with each new generation, Google made more customizations to its chips to use better NPUs among other things.
These processors were designed with Samsung’s System LSI arm and manufactured in Samsung Foundry. Tensor chips showed their prowess but were nowhere close to rivals from Apple, Qualcomm, and MediaTek. Besides, users have always complained about heating issues and inefficient modems, which could be related to Samsung Foundry’s fabrication tech.
Also Read: Samsung To Use 2nm Process For Galaxy S26 To Challenge Apple
Is Google Opting For TSMC’s 4nm Process?
It is pretty evident that Samsung Foundry’s fabrication is much cheaper than TSMC’s, but it comes with some power and efficiency issues. Google might have shifted to TSMC’s 4nm process for the Tensor G5 chip, which will be launched next year as a part of the Pixel 10 series.
While Samsung Foundry was the first in the industry to start manufacturing chips leveraging a 3nm process, it failed to rope in big clients apart from its System LSI arm. The first major chip that Samsung Foundry manufactured using a 3nm process is said to be the Exynos W1000 chip used in the Galaxy Watch 7, and it could be launched in the second of 2024.