Google Pixel 10 Pro XL Struggles with Genshin Impact: Tensor G5 Chip Revealed as Gaming Fail

The Google Pixel 10 Pro XL is heralded as a pinnacle of innovation in Google’s lineup, yet a recent demonstration has raised significant concerns regarding its performance. A video circulating on X reveals the smartphone struggling dramatically while attempting to run the popular game Genshin Impact. Users can see intense stuttering, flickering visuals, and noticeable lag, culminating in a gaming experience that is nearly unplayable. Given its premium price point of over a thousand dollars, the performance appears more akin to that of lower-tier devices.

Performance Issues Expose Shortcomings of the Tensor G5 Chip

The root of the issue seems to stem from the Tensor G5 chip, developed in collaboration with TSMC. This chip is optimized for artificial intelligence and camera functions rather than sheer processing power. While it performs adequately for everyday tasks, its limitations become glaringly apparent when faced with graphically intense games like Genshin Impact.

In comparison, competitors such as Apple’s A19 Pro chip and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 consistently outperform the Tensor G5 by delivering smooth frame rates and maintaining stable thermal efficiency during demanding tasks. Moreover, it has been observed that the Tensor G5 offers inferior GPU performance compared to its predecessor, the Tensor G4. To illustrate the starkness of this performance gap, the Pixel 10 Pro XL even lags behind the aging iPhone 12 Pro Max—an older model that can easily handle extensive gaming without issue. In contrast, the Pixel 10 Pro XL struggles significantly, showing signs of throttling within minutes of gameplay.

As highlighted in Abhinov’s recent video on X, the Pixel 10 Pro XL exhibits substantial difficulties, rendering gaming nearly impossible. The user’s attempts to engage with the game are met with frustrating frame stutters, making character movement nearly unachievable. There are even moments when touch inputs fail to register, indicating that the device simply cannot cope with the graphics load.

Pixel 10 Pro XL literally dying while running Genshin Impact 💀This is Google’s finest btw pic.twitter.com/vB8ltY3MSq

— Abhinovv (@Abhinov_v) October 5, 2025

Initially, one might mistake the device’s malfunction for a faulty display. However, a careful analysis reveals that it’s more about the chip’s struggle to deliver frames, accompanied by persistent flickering. This performance issue also extends to the system interface, where navigating through the Notification shade becomes nearly impossible amid the screen’s constant flicker. It’s evident that under such gaming demands, the Pixel 10 Pro XL falls short, effectively rendering it inept for high-performance gaming.

This predicament reflects a broader trend with Tensor chips, which have consistently struggled to match the performance standards set by Apple’s A-series and Snapdragon processors. While the Pixel 10 Pro XL excels in AI-centric tasks—ranging from photo enhancement to real-time language translation—it falters significantly in high-intensity performance scenarios such as gaming. Google’s current strategy seems to emphasize intelligent functionality over raw performance, yet this approach reveals considerable limitations when gaming is a priority.

What are your thoughts? Should Google shift its focus towards enhancing the raw power of its Tensor chips, or continue prioritizing advanced AI capabilities?

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