Google will launch a completely self-designed chip in 2025 and use TSMC’s 3nm process

Google began deploying its proprietary Google Tensor chip with the Pixel 6, diverging from the traditional Qualcomm Snapdragon. Though marketed as an in-house chip, the Google Tensor is in fact a customized variant of Samsung’s Exynos, augmented by Google’s specialized modules, such as a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) designed to enhance the device’s AI capabilities. Consequently, it employs the same manufacturing process as Exynos, bearing the hallmark of Samsung’s technology. As reported by Liliputing, citing information from The Information, Google plans to launch a chip entirely of its own design, anticipated to debut as the Google Tensor G5 in 2025.

The report suggests that Google initially planned to implement its self-designed chip in 2024, but the project demanded a longer timeline than expected. The first iteration of this chip was produced in limited quantities, for testing and refinement by engineers. Thus, the aforementioned Google Tensor G5 will essentially be the second generation of Google’s in-house chips. Barring any significant disruptions, this chip is expected to feature in the Pixel 10 series according to the current schedule. Moreover, having full design autonomy over the chip will allow Google greater flexibility in its choice of the manufacturing process. The report indicates that the Google Tensor G5 is likely to utilize TSMC’s 3nm process, as opposed to the 5nm process used by Samsung in the Google Tensor G2 currently deployed in devices such as the Pixel 7.

So, what chip will be used in new Pixel devices before the arrival of the Google Tensor G5? The report provides some insight: subsequent iterations of the Google Tensor chip (potentially dubbed Google Tensor G3, etc.) will be more than mere customizations of Samsung’s design. Google is gradually replacing components within the chip to increase the proportion of Google’s design within the chip.