Home
News
You are here

Document reveals TSMC will produce Tensor G5 AP for Pixel 10 series; chip supports 16GB RAM

1comment

By Alan Friedman

Published: May 25, 2024, 1:50 PM

Document reveals TSMC will produce Tensor G5 AP for Pixel 10 series; chip supports 16GB RAM

If you're a regular PhoneArena reader, you might be familiar with the Tensor G5 application processor (AP) that will power the Pixel 10 series (if you're an irregular PhoneArena reader, a cup of prune juice might straighten you out). Unlike the Tensor chipsets that powered the Pixel 6 through Pixel 9, which are modified Samsung Exynos APs manufactured by Samsung Foundry, the Tensor G5 will be fully customized by Google.

Another change coming with the Tensor G5 has to do with the foundry that will manufacture the chipset. The first four Tensor chips, including the Tensor G4 that will be powering the upcoming Pixel 9 line later this year, were built by Samsung Foundry but this will change next year. The Tensor G5 will be produced by TSMC, the world's largest foundry, using its second-generation 3nm process node (N3E).

Android Authority has shared the shipping manifest for a sample Tensor G5 chip that was being imported into India. Based on a breakdown of this document, the shipping manifest reveals Google's part number (G313-09488-00), the categories that the product belongs to (Integrated Circuit, System on a Chip), and denotes that it is a new product introduction. Among the remaining information revealed by the document is the manufacturer of the chip which is listed as TSMC.

Breaking down the data in the Indian shipping manifest for the Tensor G5 SoC. Image credit-Android Authority

We also know that the sample chip in question is the Tensor G5 since the manifest shows that the codename for the component is LGA which is an abbreviation for "Laguna Beach" which is said to be the codename for the fifth-generation Tensor chipset. Another sign that TSMC is making the Temsor G5 can be seen on the document where InFO POP is listed as the packaging technology used on the chipset. InFO POP technology is exclusive to TSMC.

The manifest shows that the Tensor G5 had passed the SLT (system-level test) which runs a finalized version of a chip in a test device to simulate how it performs handling basic tasks. The chip carries 16GB of POP (package-on-package) RAM, typically employed to save space on the motherboard. It would seem to indicate that rumors about the Pixel 9 Pro sporting 16GB of RAM are true and that this will carry over to the Pixel 10 series in 2025.

If you've been considering upgrading to the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, or Pixel 9 Pro XL this year, you might want to hold off for a year and pick up one of the Pixel 10 series phones in 2025 since all indications are they will be powered by a chip fully customized by Google. This could allow Google to create exclusive features for the Pixel 10 line that will run seamlessly on the Tensor G5 SoC.

$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

Alan, an ardent smartphone enthusiast and a veteran writer at PhoneArena since 2009, has witnessed and chronicled the transformative years of mobile technology. Owning iconic phones from the original iPhone to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, he has seen smartphones evolve into a global phenomenon. Beyond smartphones, Alan has covered the emergence of tablets, smartwatches, and smart speakers.

Read the latest from Alan Friedman