Google to partner with TSMC to build Tensor G5 around 3 nm nodes for Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro flagships

Google is likely still a few months away from releasing its first Tensor G4-based devices. Currently, the company is expected to offer the Tensor G4 inside four Pixel 9 series devices, of which only the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro XL are direct successors to the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro (curr. $749 on Amazon), respectively. For reference, the other two are the Pixel 9 Pro and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, the former an iPhone 15 Pro alternative and the latter an alleged successor to the Pixel Fold.

Regardless, the likes of Business Korea have turned their attention towards Google's next-generation chipset, which is referred to for now as the Tensor G5. Building on earlier reports, Business Korea claims that Google will source TSMC 3 nm nodes for Tensor G5, which Apple already uses for the A17 Pro inside the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. Incidentally, the same website expects TSMC to fabricate upcoming MediaTek and Qualcomm chips using the same nodes; presumably, these will serve as rivals to the Tensor G5.

Likewise, AMD, NVIDIA and Intel are also said to have prioritised these nodes. For context, there are reports that TSMC has already started mass-producing Lunar Lake processors for Intel using its N3B nodes. Reportedly, Google and its competitors have moved away from Samsung Foundry for a few reasons. Not only is Samsung Foundry experiencing poor yields of its 3 nm process, but those that it has produced deliver 10-20% worse heat and power consumption than their TSMC counterparts. Citing a 'representative from a major global foundry company, Business Korea adds: