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Google Tensor 2 is (unsurprisingly) in the works, presumably for Pixel 7
- APK teardowns have revealed references to what could be a Tensor 2 processor.
- The chipset will likely appear inside the Pixel 7 range next year.
The Pixel 6 series finally launched a few weeks ago, after months of rumors, leaks, and official teases. It’s the first phone line to be powered by Google’s custom Tensor processor, and it looks like the company isn’t wasting time on a follow-up chipset.
9to5Google conducted a teardown of some apps on the Pixel 6, discovering references to a Pixel-related codename dubbed ‘Cloudripper.’ The outlet suggested that this wasn’t a Pixel 7 series codename but rather the name for a developer board used for the 2022 flagships.
The outlet added that Cloudripper is related to a second-generation Tensor processor, citing documentation it viewed earlier this year. This second-generation chipset has the GS201 model number, as opposed to the Tensor’s GS101 number.
Related: Google Tensor vs Snapdragon 888 — How Google’s chip stacks up
It’s no surprise that Google would be working on a Tensor 2 processor already. Chipsets take several years of development for one, and we doubt the company would simply offer a one-off custom chip for the Pixel 6 and then go back to Qualcomm. Nevertheless, it stands to reason that we could see this processor inside the Pixel 7 range.
There’s no word on Tensor 2 specs just yet, but we’re guessing that Google will offer an upgraded TPU for machine learning tasks, for starters. Google also made heavy use of Arm technology in the original Tensor, so we’re expecting the company to adopt Arm’s latest Armv9 CPUs and the top-end Mali-G710 GPU in 2022.