All it’s essential find out about Pixel 8 processor

The Google Pixel 8 sequence is powered by a brand new semi-custom processor known as Tensor G3. Because the title suggests, that is Google’s third-generation smartphone chip, and, as you’d count on, the brand new mannequin supplies notable upgrades on the earlier technology Tensor G2.

Nonetheless, the corporate didn’t spend a lot time discussing the Tensor G3 throughout the launch. So, let’s get into what’s new with Google’s Pixel 8 processor and see the way it performs in comparison with the competitors.

Tensor G3 CPU defined

The Pixel 8’s Tensor G3 sports activities a single powerhouse Arm Cortex-X3 CPU core clocked at 2.91GHz, 4 Cortex-A715 cores at 2.37GHz, and 4 little Cortex-A510 cores at 1.7GHz. These are a lot newer than the 2020-era CPU cores used within the authentic Tensor and G2. These adjustments additionally full Google’s transfer over to 64-bit-only cores. Nonetheless, Google isn’t utilizing the newest Cortex-X4, A720, and A520 components that you just’ll discover in rival high-end chipsets just like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.

Observe that the clock pace of the Cortex-X3 is just about unchanged from the older Cortex-X1, regardless of Google shifting to a extra superior manufacturing node. For reference, Qualcomm clocks the X3 at 3.19GHz within the 8 Gen 2. As we’ll see within the benchmarking part, Google has positioned the X3 a lot additional in the direction of the vitality effectivity finish of the efficiency/energy curve reasonably than realizing the core’s full efficiency potential.

The top result’s peak single-core efficiency that’s a bit of higher than final yr however notably extra energy environment friendly for a similar workloads. You most likely observed that the Tensor G3 is a nine-core CPU, up from eight in earlier generations, which improves the processor’s multi-core capabilities. That is the CPU setup’s most vital space of enchancment.

In accordance with Arm, the A715 will be constructed as succesful because the outdated X1 for the same clock and cache setup. We don’t have cache particulars, however the clock speeds recommend Google hasn’t fairly focused this efficiency level, so the controversial two-big core method is undoubtedly gone. Nonetheless, 4 A715s are actually stronger than the earlier setup, whereas the lower-clocked A510s ought to additional enhance battery effectivity.

Total, it seems that Google has taken a barely totally different method with its third chew at SoC design. We’re a chip way more centered on energy effectivity. Google could possibly be compensating for Samsung’s less-than-ideal manufacturing course of, although we suspect lots of these points have been remedied on newer nodes. As an alternative, I count on that Google is way much less reliant on large CPU cores to help with machine studying workloads than earlier than. Tensor G3’s new TPU is far more highly effective, and the newest CPU and GPU cores are additionally extra succesful. Talking of graphics…

Tensor G3 sports activities newer graphics capabilities within the type of an Arm Mali-G715 GPU. Google hasn’t disclosed the core rely, however primarily based on our efficiency numbers, we consider seven GPU cores are inside, matching earlier layouts.

Observe the usage of the Mali-G715 reasonably than Immortalis branding right here (Immortalis is for 10 G715 cores or better). Which means there’s no {hardware} ray-tracing help within the Tensor G3 (ray-tracing benchmarks wouldn’t run both), as soon as once more setting the Pixel 8 up as a disappointment for severe cellular players. Whereas nonetheless a distinct segment characteristic, we might have appreciated a extra future-proof graphics setup for a telephone with seven years of software program help.

Nonetheless, Arm touts a 15% ISO-process efficiency achieve, 2x machine studying enchancment, and 15% higher vitality effectivity over the previous-gen Mali-G710. Players can actually sit up for higher efficiency than final yr, however the Pixel 8 and eight Professional are nonetheless mid-range and gained’t catch the finest Android gaming telephones.

Sadly, Google retains its machine studying TPU sauce a intently guarded secret, nevertheless it did reveal a bit of bit about its new capabilities. Google can be now working “Basis Fashions” of its cloud AI capabilities straight on Tensor G3. In different phrases, they’re shrunk-down, lower-accuracy variations of Google’s high-end generative fashions, however they not depend on a community connection.

Options like Finest Take, an up to date Magic Eraser, and improved Google Assistant text-to-speech all leverage the chip’s unspecified however improved TPU capabilities. Though Google nonetheless depends on the ability of cloud computing for options just like the Pixel 8 Professional’s Video Enhance mode. Nonetheless, not the entire Professional’s AI options run on the Pixel 8, both as a result of cloud computing prices or unspecified {hardware} restrictions.

Talking of multimedia help, the Tensor G3 is the primary cellular processor to help AV1 encoding for extra environment friendly video codecs. Nonetheless, the Pixel 8 default digicam app solely renders movies in H264 or HEVC, no less than for now.

The Tensor G3 can be Wi-Fi 7-ready for sooner residence networking with suitable routers. The telephone options an up to date G5300i modem (a model of the Samsung Exynos 5300), just like the Pixel 7 sequence. So, there are the identical 5G capabilities as earlier than.

Pixel 8 and Tensor G3 benchmarks

These searching for blazing efficiency from the Pixel 8 sequence might be disillusioned, however extra so within the common Pixel 8 than the 8 Professional. At the very least so far as the CPU is worried. GeekBench 6 exhibits a ten.7% uplift for the Pixel 8 and a extra hefty 23.0% achieve for the Professional over the Tensor G2. Nonetheless, each telephones come behind the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and Apple’s mighty A17 Professional. It’s additionally value highlighting the efficiency gulf between the Tensor G3 and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Our benchmark outcomes of the latter, working in a reference gadget, are significantly rosier than Google’s chipset, as are the outcomes from Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 handsets just like the Galaxy S24 sequence.

Multi-core scores see a extra constant 18.7% to 23.7% generational bounce as a result of greater core rely and extra highly effective center cores. Once more, although, even these improved outcomes go away Tensor G3 languishing behind the most effective within the enterprise. PCMark’s Work 3.0 take a look at additionally locations the chip close to the underside of the pecking order, owing to the extra conservative CPU and selection of UFS 3.1 reminiscence.

There may be some excellent news to all this: the Pixel 8 sequence performs a lot better in our battery life checks, gaining a number of hours of extra use in our internet and video playback checks. The extra environment friendly nature of the Tensor G3 is a boon for all-day battery life and anecdotally runs cooler for on a regular basis duties, too.

Graphics see a way more constant and vital achieve; we recorded a 32.6% uplift in 3DMark WildLife with the transfer to Mali-G715 from the G710 GPU. That’s massively vital, making the Pixel 8 sequence stronger gaming telephones. Nonetheless, Google is ranging from a decrease base, and the G3 stays behind the most effective within the enterprise by a major margin. At the very least the place peak efficiency is worried. With the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 touting main graphics positive aspects, the Pixel 8 Professional is way behind gaming rivals now that we’re in 2024.

Sadly, the telephones wrestle with our stress take a look at for longer play periods. Throttling hits the Pixel 8 notably arduous after only a few runs, and falls sooner than the earlier technology. The Pixel 8 Professional survives a bit of longer and doesn’t throttle again as shortly, possible owing to extra space for cooling, nevertheless it’s actually no higher than final yr’s mannequin. In truth, inner temperatures spike near 44°C for the Pixel 8 and 43°C for the 8 Professional. That’s a bit of hotter than most opponents and the 7 Professional, which reached just under 41°C.

The benchmark outcomes are a bit of disappointing, given our expectations of a major revamp and a few discrepancies between the 2 fashions. Rumors about totally different Tensor G3 packaging for the Pixel 8 and eight Professional could possibly be well-founded, with cheaper manufacturing limiting the smaller fashions’ peak efficiency. It will require additional investigation, as inner format and cooling additionally undoubtedly play an element.

Even so, these checks go above and past what the Pixel 8 requires to offer sturdy day-to-day efficiency. The CPU setup is highly effective sufficient for multitaskers and signifies positive aspects in battery life, which is arguably extra vital. Likewise, whereas not industry-leading, the GPU setup can nonetheless play all of immediately’s finest cellular video games.

That stated, we’re involved about how properly the Tensor G3 will final over the long run. A conservative efficiency level, poor sustainable efficiency, and lacking options like ray tracing will shortly see the G3 slide into the mid-range. It might fall in the direction of the decrease finish of the efficiency spectrum by the point the Pixel 8 sequence is simply midway by its lifecycle.

Tensor G3 is a combined bag, nevertheless it permits Google so as to add some distinctive options to the in any other case glorious Pixel 8 sequence.