Home
News
You are here

Evidence emerges about Tensor chip meant for Pixel 7 and Pixel 5-like new device

7comments

By Anam Hamid

Updated: Feb 18, 2022, 2:28 PM

Evidence emerges about Tensor chip meant for Pixel 7 and Pixel 5-like new device

Google can't stop singing praises for the custom-built Tensor chip that powers the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro and although it's not the fastest chip around, it has performed pretty well on benchmarks. Naturally, the company is already working on a successor.

Mishaal Rahman has found evidence in Android Git repositories that the next Tensor chip, which will supposedly underpin the Pixel 7, is known as "GS201."

This has been backed up by 9to5Google. While playing around with Pixel 6 apps, the outlet found references to a new codename, "Cloudripper," and believes that it's the name for Tensor's successor's developer board. That's all the information available on the GS201 currently.

Cloudripper sounds similar to Slider, the shared platform for Google's first chip. For reference, the Tensor was referred to as "GS101" internally.

Will the Pixel 6a be powered by the Tensor?

Rahmaan also stumbled upon the codename "Whitefin." Code snippets in Android 12 Beta had earlier hinted that Google was working on Pixel devices codenamed "Whitefin," "Pipit," and "Bluejay." Google has traditionally used fish-based names for its devices.

The company has apparently adopted bird-related codenames now to reflect the shift from Qualcomm Snapdragon SoCs to home-brewed chips. That's why it was being assumed that Whitefin could be a Snapdragon-based device. Another theory was that it could be a test phone.

Rahmaan now reports that "Whitefin" has some specs in common with the Pixel 5 and it has the Tensor chip under the hood. This appears to imply that it's the Pixel 6a, but there is no credible evidence to support this.

In any case, it's too soon to talk about the next Pixel smartphones and for now, Google is struggling to meet the demand for its newest flagship phones, which seems to suggest that the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro will be amongst the top phones of 2021.

$349

$799

$450 off (56%)

Mint Mobile now sells the Google Pixel 10 with a massive $450 discount. The promo is available on select color variants with 128GB of storage. You also get a 12-month unlimited data plan for $180 instead of $360.

Buy at Mint Mobile

$524

$999

$475 off (48%)

Grab the pro-grade, compact Pixel 10 Pro at Mint Mobile with a 12-month unlimited plan, and you can save a huge $475. The data plan comes with a discount, too: 50% off, to be exact.

Buy at Mint Mobile

$499

$1199

$700 off (58%)

The high-end Gemini AI-enhanced Pixel 10 Pro XL is now available with a mind-blowing discount. You can now save $700 on the phone, plus 50% off unlimited 12-month plans.

Buy at Mint Mobile

$1399

$1799

$400 off (22%)

The foldable Pixel 10 Pro Fold is another standout holiday offer. Right now, you can get the device for $400 off at Mint Mobile. On top of that, you save $180 on 12-month unlimited data plans.

Buy at Mint Mobile

View Full Bio

Anam Hamid is a computer scientist turned tech journalist who has a keen interest in the tech world, with a particular focus on smartphones and tablets. She has previously written for Android Headlines and has also been a ghostwriter for several tech and car publications. Anam is not a tech hoarder and believes in using her gadgets for as long as possible. She is concerned about smartphone addiction and its impact on future generations, but she also appreciates the convenience that phones have brought into our lives. Anam is excited about technological advancements like folding screens and under-display sensors, and she often wonders about the future of technology. She values the overall experience of a device more than its individual specs and admires companies that deliver durable, high-quality products. In her free time, Anam enjoys reading, scrolling through Reddit and Instagram, and occasionally refreshing her programming skills through tutorials.

Read the latest from Anam Hamid