Google is hosting a Pixel hardware event on October 4 to unveil the highly anticipated Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro smartphones. The tech giant is expected to put the next-generation Tensor G3 SoC in the Pixel 8 series as an upgrade over the Tensor G2 SoC that powers the Pixel 7 series. Google has yet to confirm details about the new internal chip, but before that we’ll hear about next year’s Pixel 9 series. Google’s next-generation SoC – Tensor G4 – is expected to power the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro. It is expected to come with a marginal upgrade compared to the Tensor G3 SoC. Google’s fully custom Tensor chip could debut in the 2025 Pixel 10 series.
According to a report from Android Authority’s Kamila Wojciechowska, the Tensor G4 SoC, codenamed “Zuma Pro,” will power next year’s Pixel 9 lineup. It will reportedly feature minor performance upgrades over the nine-core Tensor G3 SoC, known internally as “Zuma”. The Tensor G4 SoC could be a semi-custom chip and will be designed in collaboration with Samsung’s System LSI division.
Initially, Google reportedly planned to equip a “fully custom” Tensor SoC codenamed “Redondo” built on a TSMC process node on its 2024 Pixel series smartphones. However, due to production delays, the debut of this chipset would be postponed by a year. The company is said to have created a development board called “ChallengerDeep” to work on this chip.
Additionally, Google is reportedly working on the next-generation, fully custom Tensor chip codenamed ‘Laguna Beach’ for the 2025 Pixels, aka the Pixel 10 series. The development board for the chip is codenamed “Deepspace”.
The Tensor G3-powered Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro will be launched at the Made by Google event on October 4 in New York at 10am local time (7:30pm IST). The Pixel Watch 2 and a new color for the Pixel Buds Pro will also debut at the event.
Both the Pixel 8 series smartphones are expected to come with displays running Android 14 and a 120Hz refresh rate. The Pixel 8 Pro is expected to pack a 4,950mAh battery with 27W fast wired charging support. Meanwhile, the Pixel 8 could be backed by a 4,485mAh battery with 24W wireless charging support and wireless charging support. charging 12W.
