The Pixel 10 series is coming in October 2025, and for the first time, Google is ditching Samsung’s blueprint for its own “fully in-house” chipset—the Tensor G5. This is big. No more Exynos DNA, no more Samsung 4nm.
Instead, Google is turning to TSMC’s 3nm process, the same process node behind Apple’s A18 Pro, Qualcomm’s 8 Elite, and MediaTek’s Dimensity 9400. The new chip will feature a custom architecture, new GPU, and a completely different ISP. But what does this actually mean for performance, heat, and real-world usage? Let’s break it down.
Tensor G5: What’s Inside?
The Tensor G5, codenamed “Laguna Beach,” is a milestone for Google—it’s their first SoC built from the ground up without Samsung’s Exynos blueprint. Past Tensor chips, like the G4 in the Pixel 9 series, were hybrids, mixing Google’s custom blocks with Samsung’s designs and 4nm manufacturing.
Now, Google has gone solo, tapping TSMC’s 3nm N3E process, which should lead to better efficiency and power over the G4’s Samsung 4nm setup. As for the other chip components, Google is still tapping several third-party companies for the G5, so you can say it’s still not entirely in-house.
CPU: A 10-Core Setup
- 1× Cortex-X4 Prime (3.4GHz)
- 5× Cortex-A725 Mid (2.95GHz)
- 4× Cortex-A520 Efficiency (2.47GHz)
While these are more cores than most flagships, Google is playing it safe with last-gen ARM cores instead of the newer X925 or A720. We can also see that the clock speeds are very low, when compared to the Snapdragon 8 Elite or even last year’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
GPU: A Big Gamble
Instead of ARM’s Mali, Google’s switching to Imagination Technologies’ IMG DXT-48-1536 (1.1GHz), a GPU with ray tracing and GPU virtualization support. While this may sound like good news, Imagination’s GPUs are not as proven as ARM or Qualcomm’s Adreno. Thus, concerns for driver issues, stability issues, and compatibility issues are totally valid.
AI, ISP, and Multimedia
The Tensor Processing Unit, Google’s AI engine, carries over but is evolved—likely larger—for faster on-device machine learning. The ISP is now fully custom, unlike the G4’s Samsung-heavy version, handling everything from capture to processing.
Video decoding swaps Google’s “BigWave” AV1 codec for Chips&Media’s WAVE677DV, supporting 4K120 across AV1, VP9, HEVC, and H.264. Other components include VeriSilicon’s DC9000 display controller, a custom audio DSP (“AoC”), and Google-designed memory controllers and cache.
Performance & Heat Management
At 121mm², the Tensor G5 die is bigger than the A18 Pro’s 105mm², meaning more transistors, but also more heat to manage. Performance estimates show a 20% single-core boost (1,800 on Geekbench) and 35% multi-core jump (6,500) over the G4. It’ll pair with LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage.
But cooling is still a split deal. The standard Pixel 10 likely sticks to passive dissipation, like the Pixel 9, while the Pro and Pro XL are expected to keep vapor chambers, per leaks and the 9 Pro’s design. The 3nm process should cut heat, but without active cooling in the base model, it’s not a full fix.
ALSO READ: Exclusive: Google Pixel 10 series model numbers leaked in GSMA Database
For those unaware, heat has been a Pixel pain point—about 28% of returns tied to thermals, per leaked docs—so this split could leave standard buyers wanting more.
The 3nm efficiency boost (30% power savings over 5nm) should stretch battery life, especially with a rumored 5,000mAh cell in the Pixel 10. The ten-core CPU might shine in multitasking, but outdated ARM cores will definitely keep it behind the Snapdragon 8 Elite or Apple A18 Pro.
AI & Camera Upgrades
Google’s AI features—Magic Editor, Call Screen, Pixel Studio, Pixel Screenshots, and Gemini—should get faster. The fully custom ISP might improve low-light shots and video stabilization, an area where Pixel devices have been lacking when compared to the competition.
Final words
The Google Tensor G5 isn’t going to shake up things for the Pixel 10 series, but it’s breaking free from Samsung’s shadow and embracing TSMC’s 3nm tech. It’s a shift that promises better efficiency, a beefier AI engine, and a custom ISP that could finally elevate Pixel cameras to new heights. Yet, with last-gen ARM cores, a questionable GPU, and lingering heat concerns—especially in the base model—it’s not a slam dunk.
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