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.
