Google Pixel 10: Better Photos, Same Performance?

If you’re an Android power user, choosing a Pixel has always been a trade-off. The stock Android experience, first-in-line updates, and AI-driven features are great perks, but when it comes to raw performance, Google’s Tensor chips have lagged behind competitors. With the switch from Samsung Foundry to TSMC for fabricating the Google Tensor G5, many expected a significant leap in performance. Unfortunately, recent leaks suggest that won’t be the case.

Since its introduction, the Tensor series has been a unique collaboration between Google and Samsung, leveraging Exynos-based designs with custom tweaks. The move to TSMC might have fueled hopes for better efficiency and performance, but leaked specs indicate that the Google Tensor G5 will retain the same Arm Cortex CPU configuration as its predecessor, the G4. The major change? A shift from Arm Mali GPUs to an Imagination Technologies DXT GPU—an unusual choice in flagship smartphones. Whether this brings better graphical performance remains to be seen.

While processing power remains stagnant, Google is making significant hardware changes elsewhere. Several third-party components, including Samsung’s ISP (Image Signal Processor), will be replaced by Google’s own ISP. This shift could lead to even better computational photography, an area where Pixel phones already shine. Additionally, Google is ditching Samsung’s video codecs in favor of Chips&Media’s WAVE677DV and switching display controllers to VeriSilicon’s DC9000.

For users who prioritize photography, the Google Tensor G5 could still make the Pixel 10 a compelling choice. But for those hoping for a true flagship performance boost, this might not be the upgrade they were waiting for.

The post Google Pixel 10: Better Photos, Same Performance? appeared first on Phandroid.