Pixel 11’s Tensor G6 could be a downgrade but fix two big Pixel problems

Google’s Tensor chips have did not impress efficiency fans. Even after 4 generations, the chips aren’t fairly what many had hoped they could possibly be (take a look at our in-depth Tensor G4 testing for the complete image) and stay a sizzling subject of dialogue locally. In our earlier reporting, we’ve proven how the next-gen Tensor G5 guarantees to ship enhancements in energy effectivity and thermals because of the superior TSMC manufacturing course of, however its specs nonetheless go away lots to be desired in comparison with the competitors.

Sadly, that appears more likely to stay the case for not less than another technology, because the Tensor G6, as a consequence of be launched with the Pixel 11, will deliver moderately small upgrades. It would even be a downgrade in some areas, however that’s really for a superb purpose.

Due to an unprecedented leak from Google’s gChips division, Android Authority has seen paperwork describing the specs, in addition to the motivations behind Google’s upcoming Tensor G6 chip.

Earlier than we get to the specs of Tensor G6, we should always speak a bit in regards to the objectives that in the end led Google to design the chip the way in which it did. For my part, that is essentially the most attention-grabbing a part of this complete leak from gChips — no one at Google would ever overtly speak about this stuff. The quotes within the sections under are taken immediately from the paperwork, with a view to protect as a lot info as doable.

The doc we seen begins with a really attention-grabbing piece of knowledge — “Tensor primarily based Pixel applications haven’t met our monetary targets.” Whereas a reasonably imprecise assertion, it implies that one of many causes Google determined to modify to customized chips was probably decrease prices. It’s shocking that even with no large profit-driven firm like Qualcomm in the way in which, Google has did not hit the aim. Unsurprisingly, this is likely one of the areas that’s the main focus of optimization for the Tensor G6.

The doc additionally reveals Google’s new monetary aim — “AP [Application Process — in other words, the SoC] goal is ~$65 to make this enterprise viable.” As compared, Qualcomm’s latest flagship chips are rumored to price round $150. This humungous distinction makes it much more shocking that Google failed to satisfy its monetary objectives for the venture earlier than, even when the value was a bit increased. Clearly, there are some upfront prices related to making a customized chip, however with that huge of a per-unit worth distinction, it suggests one thing has gone fallacious.

Google is conscious that Tensor chips aren’t superb

Because the title of this part suggests, Google is aware of about the commonest complaints about its chips — unhealthy thermals and poor battery life. Fortunately, it intends to enhance the Tensor G6 in these areas. I’ve recreated part of a graphic from the doc simply to point out how Google talks about these issues (and since it’s kinda humorous to see it admit the problem).

Sadly, we lack the complete information behind this graphic, however it nonetheless gives some attention-grabbing insights. First, overheating was the main reason behind returns of Tensor-based Pixel gadgets, with 28% of buyer complaints being in regards to the thermals! That sort of response tracks with our own polling, too.

Google intends to enhance the scenario by discovering methods to cut back the temperature in high-power use instances. Whereas this can be a pretty imprecise factor to say, we’ve already seen not less than a method it is going to obtain this: the brand new “Cinematic Rendering Engine” within the chip will cut back the ability consumption of video recording with blur by round 40%, which implies significantly much less warmth being emitted.

The second a part of the graphic is much more attention-grabbing as a result of it exhibits Google knew how unhealthy the battery lifetime of early Tensor-based Pixels actually was — and gives us with a pleasant determine to again that. Apparently, lower than 86% of Pixel 6/7 customers made it by means of the day! The slide doesn’t present us with any concrete methods Google intends to amend this, however it’s clear it is going to even be one of many fundamental objectives of the Tensor G6.

With all that in thoughts, we will check out what Google really has in retailer for the Tensor G6. The primary thought appears to be to cut back die space (which reduces price) whereas not regressing by way of options in comparison with the Tensor G5. The Pixel 10’s chip is fairly huge at 121 mm2. To place that into perspective, the Apple A18 Professional, constructed on the identical course of node, is barely 105 mm2.

The aim for Tensor G6 is to hit 105 mm2, together with the 4% space saving from TSMC’s newer N3P process node (G5 makes use of N3E). With a view to hit that dimension, just about all groups needed to make sacrifices.

One of many clearer examples of that is the GPU. Google initially supposed to make use of a yet-to-be-released IMG EXT GPU, however as a consequence of delays, it determined towards it. As an alternative, two choices have been thought-about: first, to make use of the identical IMG DXT as in Tensor G5, however with out ray-tracing to save lots of space, or to make use of the answer within the chip codename “Redondo,” which was initially meant to be the Tensor G4 — IMG CXT with out ray-tracing. It was ultimately determined Google would go for the latter, which results in a humorous scenario: the Tensor G6 can have the GPU that was meant to be within the Tensor G4! Whereas the efficiency is comparable (not less than in Google’s projections), that is nonetheless, at finest, a sidewards step, all for a ~12% die space saving. I compiled the GPU specs within the desk under:

Related space financial savings have been made throughout the chip. For instance, the DSP (digital sign processor) will drop certainly one of its cores with a view to save area, and the SLC (system-level cache) will likely be reduce in half to 4MB.

One space that seemingly prevented getting shrunk is the CPU, however don’t anticipate any main upgrades there. It’s vital to say that the leaked paperwork have been created earlier than the structure was absolutely finalized, so it’d prove barely in a different way.

Google experimented with many configurations and preliminarily settled on utilizing one huge Cortex-X930 core (that has but to be introduced) and 6 Cortex-A730 cores, two of that are configured to be barely quicker (sadly, the small print listed below are scarce). Google determined towards the usage of Cortex-A5xx class cores as a result of they’re much less environment friendly. I compiled a desk of the CPU specs under:

Sadly, the specs alone don’t inform us a lot about what we will anticipate by way of efficiency. Nonetheless, simply the truth that Google is decreasing the core rely once more means it’s unlikely the brand new chip will likely be a lot quicker than its predecessor.

You may take a look at the specs and be disillusioned that Google is just not making a chip that will likely be aggressive, not less than on paper, with cutting-edge chips like Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite, however that’s not the purpose of Tensor. Having a customized chip lets Google construct varied options immediately into the chip.

As we’ve already revealed, the Tensor G6 may present the Pixel 11 with some thrilling options, equivalent to 100x zoom and “Ultra Low Light video.” Google’s aim was all the time to enhance consumer expertise, not dominate benchmarks, and that appears set to be the case proper out to the Pixel 11, not less than.