Everything we know and what we want to see

With Google already lifting the lid ever so barely on the upcoming Pixel 7 collection, expectations and rumors in regards to the telephone’s next-gen silicon are starting to flow into. The upcoming chip, tentatively dubbed the Google Tensor 2, follows Google’s first foray into the semi-custom silicon area and can energy Google’s next-generation handsets.

There are many modifications, tweaks, and outright enhancements Google might make to its subsequent SoC. Nothing is ever excellent on a primary attempt, in spite of everything. So let’s wade by the present rumors and affordable expectations about what can be coming our approach later in 2022.

Catch up: Every part you have to know in regards to the first-gen Google Tensor

Google Tensor 2 expectations and rumors

Early Google Tensor 2 rumors level to a couple givens for the next-gen chip. It will likely be co-developed with Samsung, similar to its predecessor, and can virtually definitely be constructed on a more moderen, smaller 4nm course of. It’ll seemingly be the identical 4nm LPE course of Samsung makes use of for its personal Exynos 2200 and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 flagship silicon, or maybe Samsung’s barely newer and extra environment friendly 4nm LPP course of. What’s much less sure and open to a couple doable variations is the make-up of the chip’s CPU, GPU, and different parts.

On the CPU aspect, no mixing and matching between Armv9 and Armv8 CPU cores creates a selection between sticking with older parts or transferring to higher-performance however doubtlessly higher-cost CPU components. A transfer to off-the-shelf Armv9 parts is a possible subsequent step, as Google doesn’t design {custom} CPU cores and we will’t see an X2/A78 or some such mixture. Upgrading the present massive Arm Cortex-X1, medium Cortex-A76, and little Cortex-A55 cores to the Cortex-X2, Cortex-A710, and A510 seen in 2022’s flagship Android smartphones would supply a good bump in efficiency. Significantly as this could imply transferring to a extra trendy center core in comparison with 2018’s quite dated A76.

Learn extra: Arm Cortex-X2, A710, and A510 deep dive

The opposite unknown is whether or not Google will stand by its 2+2+4 cluster configuration or transfer to a extra standard 1+3+4 CPU setup. Both approach, the choice will inform us loads about whether or not Google feels that this association supplied the proper steadiness of efficiency and energy consumption in its first-generation chipset.

Google Tensor 2 will come packing an upgraded model of the corporate’s machine studying smarts. The present-gen Tensor Processing Unit (TPU) {couples} the chip’s AI processing capabilities proper alongside multimedia pipelines just like the audio and picture processing items. Shut integration between these components permits Google to leverage its industry-leading AI algorithms for pure language processing, picture recognition, and photograph processing contained in the Pixel 6 collection, which helps the telephones punch nicely above their price ticket. See Magic Eraser, Pixel’s signature HDR picture processing, and on-device speech captioning for examples.

What’s an SoC? Every part you have to learn about smartphone chipsets

Whereas we don’t know precisely what TPU enhancements Google will make with Tensor 2, we’re anticipating one other tightly coupled, bespoke piece of AI silicon to create distinctive experiences for the Pixel 7 collection.

What we’d prefer to see

Sticking with the TPU/media suite for a second, there may be room for enchancment. We’d prefer to see Google Tensor 2 revamp the ISP’s throughput to assist improved video capabilities. For instance, 4K 60fps video solely works from the first digicam however it could be nice to have the identical function assist for the ultrawide, telephoto, and even the selfie digicam too. 8K recording may be helpful for extra severe videographers additionally. It’s not clear if this can be a limitation of the present chipset or the digicam modules, however we all know that Samsung’s Exynos chipsets have these capabilities, and they might be much-coveted options for the Pixel 7 collection. Likewise, there are not any simultaneous multi-lens capabilities within the Pixel 6, a function we’ve seen in different smartphones. A wider, extra sturdy imaging pipeline can be the reply.

Whereas not a {hardware} want, opening the TPU as much as third-party builders would even be a function in Google’s cap. The present TPU could be very succesful, however its potential stays restricted to Google’s in-house functions. Good to have, in fact, however there are such a lot of AI/ML functions that would additionally profit Google’s {hardware} acceleration.

See additionally: How on-device machine studying has modified the best way we use our telephones

Graphics is an space that’s seen massive beneficial properties in 2022 and we wish to see Google Tensor 2 degree the taking part in area. Shifting to an Arm Mali-G710 from the G78 is a possible development, which might yield a 20% or larger efficiency uplift. Nonetheless, which may not be sufficient to shut the hole on the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 that may seem in handsets across the identical time because the Pixel 7, not to mention the but to be introduced Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 that may energy 2023 flagships.

Samsung’s partnership with AMD has produced a good, if not ground-breaking, Xclipse 920 GPU within the Exynos 2200. If Samsung can license the fruits of its RDNA2 collaboration, a suped-up Xclipse GPU for the Google Tensor 2 might lend the chipset some severe gaming chops. Whereas gaming isn’t Google’s precedence, aggressive body charges would definitely assist make the Pixel 7 a jack of all trades.

Lastly, early codenames level to the Tensor 2 that includes a Samsung Exynos modem, which is to be anticipated. Nonetheless, the codename suggests an as-yet-unannounced Exynos 5300 mannequin. This might be an error at this stage, in fact, however might additionally level to a semi-custom and/or built-in part explicitly produced for Google. The unique Google Tensor used an exterior Samsung modem. Shifting to an built-in part can be a boon for energy consumption and system battery life, notably when chugging knowledge down these quick 5G pipelines.

Learn extra: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 vs Google Tensor

Constructed for the Google Pixel 7

The unique Google Tensor wasn’t a very ground-breaking SoC. Nonetheless, it was extremely progressive within the machine studying division, which in flip enabled Google to stuff its Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Professional smartphones with spectacular AI-based options. Relatively than an out-and-out benchmark thrashing chip, Google and Samsung designed silicon uniquely tailor-made to its cell imaginative and prescient and desires. We will virtually definitely count on this ethos to run by the core of the Google Tensor 2’s design.