Google Tensor G2 details leak: Do you want the good or bad news first?

Google confirmed the existence of the Pixel 7 series back in May, and the company recently announced an October 16 launch date for the new flagship smartphones. We already know it’ll be powered by the Tensor G2 chipset, but a developer has now uncovered more info regarding this new processor.

Developer Kuba Wojciechowski dug into the data file of a Pixel 7 Pro Geekbench benchmark test, discovering that the Tensor G2 has two Cortex-X1 CPU cores like its predecessor. This suggests that the processor’s CPU setup is identical to the original Tensor chipset, which had two X1 cores, two Cortex-A76 middle cores, and four Cortex-A55 cores.

In saying so, Wojciechowski notes that the X1 CPU cores see a 50MHz clock speed boost (to 2.85GHz) and that the middle cores now run at 2.35GHz (up from 2.25GHz). It’s believed that these minor clock speed boosts plus a switch from a 5nm to 4nm design could be responsible for the ~10% multi-core performance boost in the benchmark.

In other words, those looking for a massive CPU upgrade over the original Tensor might be disappointed. Google’s purported decision to keep using the Cortex-A76 in particular is pretty interesting given that the Cortex-A77, A78, and A710 have already succeeded it. But we’ve also seen the Cortex-X1 and Cortex-A55 succeeded by new designs. 

Google Tensor G2: What else did we learn?

The developer also asserts that the Tensor G2 is now equipped with a Mali-G710 GPU. This is the same GPU seen in the MediaTek Dimensity 9000 flagship processor, with Arm saying you should expect a 20% performance gain and 20% efficiency gain over the Mali-G78 on the same process. However, Google’s apparent switch to a 4nm process means we could expect an even greater improvement. So gamers might be happy with the upgraded silicon here.

It’s worth pointing out that benchmark tests can be easily spoofed, meaning they’re not the best source for leaks. However, Wojciechowski feels that we are indeed looking at a legitimate leak here, pointing to the device’s unique build ID, new kernel build, and unique CPU core frequencies. 

Nevertheless, this test and analysis comes after a string of leaks in 2022. These leaks pointed to the Tensor G2 offering Cortex-A55 CPU cores, a 4nm design, and an Exynos 5300 modem. Here’s hoping the apparent modem upgrade improves the absolutely awful connectivity seen on the Pixel 6 series.