Google is aware of the performance challenges its Tensor chips have faced, particularly issues related to overheating and battery longevity. As a response, the tech giant is actively enhancing its next-generation chip, the Tensor G6, which carries the code name “Malibu.”
Addressing Overheating Concerns
Recent leaks from Android Authority indicate that overheating is a significant factor driving the return of Tensor-powered Pixel devices. In fact, approximately 28% of user feedback points to excessive heat as a primary complaint. To combat this issue, Google has introduced a “Cinematic Rendering Engine” in the Tensor G6, designed to optimize power consumption during video capture. This innovation is expected to reduce energy usage by up to 40% when recording with blur effects, thereby helping to diminish overheating instances.
Improving Battery Life
Battery performance also remains a central focus for Google. According to the leaked presentation, less than 86% of users with Pixel 6 and 7 models report being able to complete a full day on a single charge. Although specific enhancements for the Pixel 11 equipped with the G6 haven’t been disclosed, boosting battery life is evidently a top priority for the development team.
Technical Specifications and Features
To implement these advancements, Google plans to reduce the size of the G6 chip to approximately 105 mm² by employing TSMC’s N3P process node—similar to the technology used in Apple’s A18 Pro. This miniaturization has necessitated some trade-offs, including the removal of one core from the DSP and halving the system-level cache. Additionally, the G6 will utilize a three-core IMG CXT GPU, originally designed for the earlier Tensor G4, which will decrease the die area by roughly 12%, though this may slightly restrict overall performance.
On the CPU front, the Tensor G6 is expected to feature one Cortex-X930 core paired with six Cortex-A730 cores, along with minor modifications for enhanced speed. Google has opted to forgo the inclusion of smaller Cortex-A5xx cores to streamline the architecture. However, this reduction in core count suggests that the G6 may not offer a substantial increase in processing speed compared to its predecessor, the G5.
As Google prepares to launch its latest chip, the industry will be closely monitoring whether these modifications effectively address prior concerns while enhancing user experience in upcoming Pixel devices.
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