Google execs explain why Tensor G4 is not built for speed but this might prove to be a problem.
Leaks asked us to temper our expectations for the Tensor G4, the chip that powers the Pixel 9. Google didn’t spend a lot of time talking about the chipset during the launch event, which is telling in itself. Post-launch conversations with a trio of Google execs suggest that the leaks were right on the money but that shouldn’t necessarily have you worried.
According to a chat between Pixel product manager Soniya Jobanputra and The Financial Express, and an interview of Silicon group product manager Jesse Seed and Google DeepMind product manager Zach Gleicher by Tom’s Guide, the Tensor G4 is not designed to deliver chat-busting performance. Instead, it’s optimized for use cases specific to the Pixel 9.
When we are designing the chip, we’re not designing it for speeds and feats. We’re not designing it to beat some specific benchmark that’s out there. We’re designing it to meet our use cases.
We knew that we had a pain point with opening apps. And so as we built G4, we really focused on, okay, what do we need to do to make sure that experience is better for users
Google hasn’t revealed what process node the Tensor G4 is based on or how it’s configured. Rumors said that the G4 wasn’t the company’s first choice for the series but it went with it after it realized a fully-custom silicon wouldn’t be ready in time for its 2024 phones.
