Google partners with TSMC for 3nm Tensor G5 on Pixel 10 and 2nm Tensor G6 on Pixel 11

Google is gearing up to make a serious play in the silicon game, with a big shift on the horizon for its custom Tensor chips. The latest news suggests that starting with the Tensor G5, Google is leaving its long-standing manufacturing partner, Samsung Foundry, and going all-in with TSMC.

The new Pixel 9 series still relies on Samsung-made chips, with the Tensor G4 based on the Exynos 2400. The G4 is more of a minor upgrade over the Tensor G3 which powers the Pixel 8 series. Codename “Zuma Pro,” it still uses Samsung’s older FO-PLP packaging, meaning heat management might not see dramatic improvements.

The real action begins in 2025 when Google plans to switch to TSMC for the Tensor G5, marking a major shift. It’s been known that TSMC’s 3nm process will be used for the G5, bringing with it better energy efficiency and enhanced performance​. Plus, Google’s adoption of TSMC’s advanced InFO-POP packaging tech should help with heat dissipation, a problem Samsung’s Exynos chips have struggled with for years.

This shift is more than just a manufacturing change — it could give Google more control over the performance and efficiency of its chips. If all goes as planned, Pixel 10 users should see snappier performance, cooler temperatures, and better battery life, all while keeping the AI and machine learning smarts Google is known for.

But Google isn’t stopping at the G5. Fresh reports courtesy of Tech & Leaks Zone channel on Telegram already indicate that the Tensor G6, which will likely power the Pixel 11 series, will be produced using TSMC’s 2nm process. This could make Google one of the first companies to bring such advanced tech to consumer smartphones​.

The reason behind the shift? In simple terms — Samsung has been struggling. Their 4nm process used in previous Tensor chips has faced yield issues and has lagged behind TSMC in efficiency. By switching to TSMC, Google is setting itself up for a more consistent and advanced chip-making process, which should mean fewer hiccups for future Pixels.

Here’s a fun tidbit: while Apple’s devices are powered by its own A-series chips, its foundational AI models were actually trained using Google’s TPU clusters. Google’s Axion, its custom ARM-core-based TPU for datacenters, also relies on TSMC’s 3nm tech​.

With the Tensor G5 and G6 on the horizon, it looks like Google is taking its chip game to the next level. The move to TSMC could not only help Google close the gap with Apple’s A-series chips but also establish Tensor as a serious contender in the mobile processor market.

For Pixel fans, this means you can look forward to faster, cooler, and more efficient phones in the coming years.