Tag: Tensor G4 SoC

  • Tensor G4 vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 1: Benchmark Results Disappoint

    Tensor G4 vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 1: Benchmark Results Disappoint

    Google’s Tensor G4 chip in the Pixel 9 lineup falls short of the high-performance expectations typical for a 2024 flagship device, as seen in preliminary benchmarks.

    Recent comparisons highlight that the Tensor G4 struggles to compete with both current and previous flagship processors. It even lags behind the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, a chip introduced in 2021.

    Benchmark Comparison

    Golden Reviewer, an independent analyst, tested the Tensor G4 against top flagship chipsets using the demanding 3DMark Wild Life Extreme benchmark.

    The findings reveal that the Tensor G4 outperforms its predecessor, the Tensor G3, by a modest margin of just over 7%. Although this indicates some improvement from one generation to the next, the progress is minimal.

    More troubling for prospective users is the Tensor G4’s failure to outpace the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, released in 2021. In fact, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 maintains a slight edge of about 2% in the benchmark. This performance gap with a three-year-old chip underscores Google’s lag behind other processors in terms of speed and power.

    Performance Disparities

    The gap becomes even more evident when comparing the Tensor G4 to the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Qualcomm’s newest chip achieves scores over 100% higher than the Tensor G4 in the same test.

    Nonetheless, Google has clarified its focus for the Tensor G4. The company emphasizes AI capabilities over sheer benchmark performance, aligning with Pixel phones’ strengths in computational photography and on-device AI applications.

    Despite the underwhelming benchmark outcomes, there is a silver lining. Google plans to produce its 2025 Tensor chip using TSMC’s advanced 3nm process, moving away from Samsung’s manufacturing. This transition could lead to notable gains in both performance and efficiency. Updates on this development will be closely monitored.

    In the meantime, those considering the Pixel 9 series for intensive tasks or gaming may want to explore other alternatives before deciding.

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  • Tensor G4 Gaming Lags Behind Old G2 in Genshin Impact

    Tensor G4 Gaming Lags Behind Old G2 in Genshin Impact

    The early excitement surrounding the Google Pixel 9 series might be waning for mobile gaming enthusiasts. Recent tests conducted by Dame Tech indicate that the new Tensor G4 processor is not performing well in Genshin Impact, falling short compared to its predecessor, the Tensor G2, which powers the Pixel 7 series.

    Performance Concerns

    Google has emphasized that the Tensor G4 is designed to enhance AI capabilities rather than focusing strictly on raw performance benchmarks. However, this approach raises concerns as the chipset struggles with Genshin Impact, a popular but resource-heavy mobile game.

    Dame Tech’s analysis put the Pixel 9 Pro XL through rigorous testing with Genshin Impact at the highest visual settings. The outcome was disappointing for many Pixel users: the Tensor G4 delivered an average frame rate (FPS) of 39.2, noticeably lower than the Pixel 7 Pro’s 45.3 FPS with the older Tensor G2.

    Temperature and Optimization

    Interestingly, the Pixel 9 Pro XL ran cooler during these tests. It reached a peak temperature of 37 degrees Celsius, compared to the Pixel 7 Pro’s higher 42 degrees Celsius. This indicates that the lower FPS is likely not due to throttling caused by overheating.

    Dame Tech suggests that the primary issue may be optimization. Genshin Impact, known for its graphics-intensive demands, might not yet be fully optimized for the new hardware in the Pixel 9. This could account for the performance discrepancies despite the cooler operation.

    Comparison with Flagships

    The performance gap is even more evident when the Pixel 9 Pro XL is compared with current flagship devices. The ROG Phone 8 Pro averages an impressive 61.1 FPS, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max and Galaxy S24 Ultra reach 59.2 FPS and 51.4 FPS, respectively.

    While Google focuses on enhancing AI performance, it’s apparent that the Tensor G4 requires further optimization for other functionalities. It’s crucial to remember that this System on Chip (SoC) is not designed with gaming as a priority, suggesting that gamers are unlikely to opt for the Pixel 9 over other leading flagship models.

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  • Google Tensor G4 Throttling Test Shows Over 50% Performance Loss

    Google Tensor G4 Throttling Test Shows Over 50% Performance Loss

    Google’s efforts with its custom silicon have consistently faced criticism over issues related to thermal management and sustained performance. Recent reports indicate that the Pixel 9 Pro XL’s Tensor G4 might be particularly vulnerable to these problems.

    A user on X, known as @callmeshazzam, revealed alarming results from a CPU throttling test conducted on their pre-ordered Pixel 9 Pro XL. The benchmark indicated that the Tensor G4 could lose up to 50% of its processing capability when under prolonged stress.

    Stress Test Observations

    The test monitored the frequency of all eight CPU cores within the Tensor G4. After merely three minutes of intense usage, throttling appeared to commence. The performance continued to decline until about four minutes in, with the CPU estimated to have lost nearly 60% of its potential power.

    The raw data from the test showed that the Tensor G4 reached a peak of 341 GIPS (giga instructions per second), with an average of 246.6 GIPS. At its most extreme throttling point, the chip reportedly fell to just 145.5 GIPS—only 42.6% of its peak ability. Following this dip, the performance seemed to recover partially, stabilizing at roughly 65% of its maximum capacity.

    Performance and Frequency Insights

    Examining the frequency chart from the test, the Tensor G4’s performance cores dropped to a low of 1.32 GHz, while the efficiency cores fell to a minimum of 570 MHz. Although Google has not officially disclosed the Tensor G4’s specifications, Geekbench results suggested one core could reach 3.1 GHz, with three cores at 3.6 GHz, and four efficiency cores at 1.95 GHz.

    It’s critical to understand that instructions per second (GIPS) isn’t the most thorough performance measure, and stress tests are designed to push devices to their utmost limits. In everyday usage, performance degradation is likely to be less severe. However, these preliminary reports imply that Google may still need to enhance the thermal management of the Tensor G4 in the Pixel 9 Pro XL.

    Google Tensor G4 Throttling Test Shows Over 50% Performance Loss
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  • Watch the Google Pixel 9 Series Launch Event Live Here

    Watch the Google Pixel 9 Series Launch Event Live Here

    Google has announced that later today (August 13), it will host its annual "Made by Google" launch event to showcase new hardware, including the Google Pixel 9 series smartphones. Here’s how you can watch this launch event.

    The event will kick off at 10 AM PT (1:00 PM EST/7:00 PM CEST/10:30 PM IST/6:00 PM BST) and will be live-streamed via YouTube.

    Google Pixel 9 Series Launch Event: What to Expect?

    So far, we know that Google plans to launch the Pixel 9 series smartphones, which include the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Additionally, we also expect the launch of the Pixel Watch 3 and the Pixel Buds Pro 2.

    The new Pixel smartphones will be powered by the Tensor G4 SoC, which has around an 11% improvement in single-core performance and a 3% improvement in multi-core performance. The chip will also feature the new Exynos Modem 5400, adding satellite connectivity support and improving efficiency, with up to 50% better power consumption compared to the Exynos Modem 5300 found in the Pixel 8.

    Pixel 9 Lineup Details

    The Pixel 9 lineup will include two new entries this year in addition to the vanilla and Pro models. These will be the Pixel 9 Pro XL, which as the name suggests, will come with a large 6.8-inch OLED display, and the Pixel 9 Pro, which will be the successor of last year’s Pixel Fold, although with a larger and slimmer design compared to the original.

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