Google Tensor G5 could use a new GPU from Imagination

Google’s Pixel 10 will launch later this year and will feature a brand new chipset—the Tensor G5. While that might sound routine by now, this year’s upgrade is different. The Google Tensor G5 Imagination combo marks one of the most exciting developments in the Pixel 10, as the G5 is rumored to be Google’s first truly custom chipset.

Say hello to a new GPU

According to a report from Android Authority, the G5 could bring major changes under the hood. The report references a blog post shared by postgraduate student Yang Yanling on WeChat, which includes a table listing the Tensor G5 alongside Imagination Technologies’ DXT-48-1536 GPU.

Android Authority had previously suggested that Google might abandon the Arm Mali-G715 GPU in favor of the DXT-48-1536. This new report appears to support that claim. While the publication acknowledges the possibility of image manipulation, they believe the screenshot is genuine—especially since it aligns with their earlier findings.

If true, the Google Tensor G5 Imagination pairing could bring noticeable upgrades in GPU performance, particularly in gaming. It will be interesting to see how this impacts real-world use cases like mobile gaming and graphic-intensive applications.

Modest upgrades

That said, users shouldn’t expect a dramatic leap in overall performance. An earlier report claims that the G5 will only deliver a modest upgrade over its predecessor, the Tensor G4, offering incremental improvements rather than a full overhaul. However, what makes the Google Tensor G5 different is that Google has created its first fully custom silicon.

Previously, Google relied on Samsung to manufacture its Tensor chipsets. With the G5, however, Google is shifting production to TSMC—the same company that supplies chips for Apple and Qualcomm. This transition gives Google tighter control over the Pixel’s hardware-software integration.

By designing its own chipset and working with TSMC, Google is no longer bound by third-party hardware limitations. This strategic move puts the company closer to Apple’s playbook, where custom chipsets enable tighter ecosystem control and performance optimization.

The Pixel 10 is expected to be announced around August or September, following the same launch window as the Pixel 9. All eyes will be on the Tensor G5 and its role in ushering in Google’s next-generation of Pixel devices.

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