The Tensor G5 chip for Google Pixel 10 will be produced by TSMC and it is said to be the first time that the company’s chip will not use Samsung’s production. As per Android Authority, the Tensor G4 to power next year’s Pixel 9 will again be made by Samsung but spec upgrades are unlikely.
More About the Google Pixel 10 Tensor G5 Chip
Public trade databases show that this is the case, and they also indicate what the new chip will look like. The shipping manifest for a sample chip of the Tensor G5 indicates LGA and codename Laguna Beach. Google has historically used abbreviations as codenames, such as “WHI” for Whitechapel (Tensor G1) and “ZPR” for Zuma Pro (Tensor G4). It also reinforces the rumor as the manifest mentions TSMC and InFO POP, a unique packaging technology that is used by TSMC. It includes:
- The chip is identified as revision “A0,” indicating it is an early version with anticipated future updates.
- “OTP, V1” signifies the first version of the one-time programmable data, allowing Google to adjust chip parameters without changing its structure.
- “NPI-OPEN” indicates it is an early sample still in the New Product Introduction phase, meaning manufacturing processes are being refined.
The chip has passed basic functionality tests, including the SLT (system-level test), and is about 16 months from release, necessitating early sampling to ensure platform readiness. The manifest also says the chip is paired with 16GB of package-on-package RAM from Samsung Electronics Co., matching leaks about additional RAM for the Pixel 9 Pro.
The exporter is listed as Google LLC in Taiwan and the importer as Tessolve Semiconductor in India. This suggests Google is now offloading some of the tasks that were managed by Samsung to Tessolve for providing semiconductor support. While the Pixel 9 is not due to release just yet (probably ever), the move towards TSMC for the Pixel 10 chip could also bring some benefits further down the line. Full tech and engineering specs for the upcoming G4 will be published closer to its arrival in October.
