With Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, Google unveiled its own Google Tensor chip. This mobile platform has been designed by Google in collaboration with Samsung. Google claims that it decided to work on its own chip because it wanted a chip that could handle machine learning workloads. Now when the chip is in the market with the Pixel 6 series, most people are wondering how it could compete against Snapdragon 888.
Google Tensor vs Snapdragon 888
Google Tensor packs an octa-core CPU with two high-performance Cortex-X1 cores clocked at up to 2.8GHz. There are also two Cortex-A76 cores and four power-efficient A55 cores. On Geekbench CPU score, Tensor’s CPU scores slightly below than Snapdragon 888.
Google Tensor pacs powerful 20-core Mali G78 GPU. Google wanted more power for GPU-intensive tasks. That’s the reason, it has used a powerful GPU. To give you a clear picture, Samsung S21 Ultra packs 14-core Mali G78 GPU. This 14-core Mali G78 GPU competes well against Adreno 660 GPU used in Snapdragon 888. So, Tensor’s 20-core Mali G78 GPU will obviously beat Adreno 660 GPU used in Snapdragon 888.
Google and Samsung also created a custom TPU for the Google Tensor chip. This chip takes care of machine learning workloads. So, this chip will improve the overall user experience.
Google has integrated Exynos 5123 modem in Tensor chip. It promises peak download speeds of up to 7.3Gbps and peak upload speeds of up to 3.6Gbps. Tensor also includes Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2. Snapdragon 888 comes with Qualcomm’s X60 5G modem that promises a peak download speed of 7.5Gbps and a peak upload speed of 3Gbps.
Google Tensor | Snapdragon 888 | |
---|---|---|
CPU | Octa-core CPU | Kryo 680, Octa-core CPU |
CPU Cores | 2x 2.8GHz (Cortex-X1) 2x 2.25GHz (Cortex A76) 4x 1.8GHz (Cortex A55) | 1x 2.84GHz (Cortex-X1) 3x 2.4GHz (Cortex A78) 4x 1.8GHz (Cortex A55) |
Process Technology | Samsung’s 5nm process | Samsung’s 5nm process |
GPU | 20-core Mali G78 GPU | Adreno 660 |
Machine Learning and AI | Google Custom TPU | 6th-gen AI accelerator featuring Hexagon 780 DSP; 26 TOPS |
ISP | Google Custom ISP | Spectra 580 |
Camera Capability | 50MP Zero-shutter lag Motion Mode | Up to 200 MP; 28 MP triple camera with Zero Shutter Lag; Triple 14-bit ISPs |
Video Capability | 4K 60FPS on Rear camera 4K 30FPS on Front camera Google HDRnet | 8K @ 30 FPS, 4K HDR Dolby @ 60FPS, 720p @ 960FPS |
Modem | Samsung Exynos 5123 modem 7.3 Gbps Peak Download 3.6 Gbps Peak Upload | Qualcomm X60 5G Modem 7.5 Gbps Peak Download 3 Gbps Peak Upload |
WiFi Support | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E-ready |
Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.2 |