Welcome to Ask Jerry, where we delve into all the inquiries you may have about the intelligent aspects of your life. I’m Jerry, and I’ve dedicated a significant portion of my life to technology. With a foundation in engineering and R&D, I’ve been covering Android and Google for the last 15 years.
Ask Jerry is a column dedicated to tackling your pressing Android/tech questions with insights from long-time Android Central editor Jerry Hildenbrand.
I also excel at gathering data on a wide range of topics — a major part of our responsibilities here at Android Central — and I take pleasure in assisting others (another essential part of our role!). If you have inquiries regarding your tech, I would love to engage in discussions about them.
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You may find interesting:
– What Google’s transition to TSMC means for the Pixel 10 Pro Fold’s Tensor G5 performance
– Google Tensor G5: Benchmarks and essential insights
– Ask Jerry: How to fine-tune your Google news search and the reasons behind it
– Google’s new Pixel 10 on the way. Is the Pixel 9 still a worthwhile purchase?
I look forward to your messages!
Why Google uses Tensor
Ken asks:
I came across a discussion on Reddit regarding the performance of the latest Google Pixel, and now I’m more puzzled than before. Many seem to view the Google Tensor as a mid-range processor that falls short where it matters. I’m in the market for a new phone, so I’d like to know your perspective.
Is the Tensor just a mid-range Samsung imitation, or does it have merit as a processor?
Thanks
Oh boy, now that’s opening a real debate!
I understand your confusion and have witnessed both sides of the debate regarding the Pixel lineup, including a recent article suggesting it’s the consumers’ misunderstanding that leaves them questioning Google’s choice of the Tensor SoC.
What’s my opinion? I believe this whole matter stems from a legitimate question that has devolved into pointless bickering online. People enjoy criticizing what they don’t possess while defending what they do, and that serves no purpose. It isn’t our duty to grasp why companies make the choices they do; our responsibility is to select what we consider provides the best value.
Everyone must remember that Google didn’t design a chip without rationale. The company isn’t seeking to win social media spats regarding chip rivalries. Its focus is on advancing its business model — that is, attracting online viewers — and leveraging its own product line to facilitate that.
Naturally, it would also like to have a successful phone division and profit from it. This entails deriving more from a product than what was invested in producing, distributing, and promoting it. While discussions on Reddit may attract some attention, they will never dictate Google’s decision-making.
A few years back, Google required the Tensor to initiate the AI trend within phones. It needed a mechanism capable of supporting innovations no one else was pursuing, and the Tensor provided that solution.
Standard performance (beyond AI processing) or graphic benchmarks were never primary considerations for Google, prompting it to opt for cost-effective solutions. It worked, leading to an increase in Pixel device sales and user satisfaction.
That was then; this is now. MediaTek and Qualcomm now offer smartphone processors that meet all of Google’s current needs, and Apple’s chips surpass what the iPhone could previously manage. These processors will only continue to improve. Google won’t need a unique and specific NPU design in its phone chips for 2025 as it did in 2021.
However, if maintaining “good enough” standards for smartphone functionalities or gaming, while excelling in AI and keeping production costs low, is achievable, why not continue down that path?
Google could utilize the latest Snapdragon processor to achieve similar AI performance while facilitating more smartphone operations — or even better, providing a more engaging gaming experience for extended durations. However, that would come at a higher cost given the expensive nature of those chips.
Keep in mind, a Pixel 10 Pro XL starts at $1,199. Though that’s an exorbitant charge for a phone (in my view), it reflects the new pricing for premium flagship devices. This is the ballpark figure one might expect to pay for an iPhone 17 Pro Max or a Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Opt for the model that aligns well with your needs. Don’t concern yourself with what others are selecting or their reasons, as that won’t influence your experience. It’s up to Google to balance price, AI potential, and performance in diverse areas, while your job is simpler: choose what you enjoy.
FAQ
What chipset powers
