Google’s Pixel 9 series is here with the latest Tensor G4 processor. But is it the upgrade you were looking forward to, or does it carry over all those issues from the G3? On paper, there seems to be a minor improvement in performance and efficiency, but more remains to be seen. Let’s find out in our Tensor G4 and Tensor G3 comparison.
Table of Contents
Tensor G4 vs Tensor G3: Specifications
Here’s a spec comparison of both the chipsets. Note that we do not yet know whether Tensor G4 uses Samsung’s new 4LPP+ technology and its number of GPU cores.
| Tensor G4 | Tensor G3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Release Date | August 2024 | October 2023 |
| Manufacturer | Samsung | Samsung |
| Fabrication Process | 4nm | 4nm |
| CPU | Eight-core 1x Cortex-X4 (3.1 GHz) 3x Cortex-A720 (2.6 GHz) 4x Cortex-A520 (1.95GHz) | Nine-core 1x Cortex-X3 (2.9GHz) 4x Cortex-A715 (2.4GHz) 4x Cortex-A510 (1.7GHz) |
| GPU | Arm Mali-G715 (core unknown) | Arm Mali-G715 MC7 Up to 890MHz |
| RAM | LPDDR5X | LPDDR5X |
| Machine Learning | Third-gen Tensor Processing Unit | Third-gen Tensor Processing Unit |
| Modem | Samsung Exynos 5400 | Samsung Exynos 5300 (on Pixel 7-series) or Exynos 5300i (on Pixel 8a) |
| Connectivity | 4G LTE 5G sub-6Ghz and mmWave Wi-Fi 7 Bluetooth 5.3 Satellite connectivity | 4G LTE 5G sub-6Ghz and mmWave Wi-Fi 7 Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Codecs | AV1, H.264, H.265, VP9 | AV1, H.264, H.265, VP9 |
| Security | Titan M2 Security Chip | Titan M2 Security Chip |
Tensor G4 vs Tensor G3: CPU
Google’s new Tensor G4 chipset has a typical eight-core CPU as opposed to the nine-core Tensor G3 from last year. That’s strange considering it’s still made by Samsung, and Samsung themselves have switched from eight to ten cores on their Exynos 2400 for the Galaxy S24. On the other hand, Google has cut down on one core.
While G4 is built on the 4nm node, it’s not confirmed if it’s using the improved 4LPP+ technology process. It’s also unclear if it uses FOWLP packaging, which boosts thermal management. Both of these features are present in the Exynos 2400.
The Tensor G4 has a Cortex-X4 core clocked at 3.1GHz, three Cortex-A720 cores clocked at 2.6GHz, and four Cortex-A520 cores clocked at 1.95GHz. In contrast, the Tensor G3 has a Cortex-X3 core clocked at 2.9GHz, four Cortex-A715 cores clocked at 2.4GHz, and four Cortex-A510 cores clocked at 1.7GHz.
Essentially, the Tensor G4 gets upgraded cores across the board with about 7% higher clock speeds on average, despite having one fewer standard performance core. This suggests that the Tensor G4 should outperform the Tensor G3 while also being more efficient.
AnTuTu Benchmark
Courtesy of leaked AnTuTu benchmark scores, the Pixel 9 Pro scored a total of 1,14,8452 points, while the Pixel 9 Pro XL got 1,176,410. This is about 20% higher than Tensor G3 scores on the Pixel 8 Pro, which scored 9,22,648 points in our test.
That said, the Tensor G4 is nowhere near the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, which goes over 17 million.
| Tensor G4 (Pixel 9) | Tensor G4 (9 Pro) | Tensor G4 (9 Pro XL) | Tensor G3 (Pixel 8 Pro) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | 2,47,268 | 3,03,874 | 3,10,809 | 2,27,422 |
| GPU | 4,46,806 | 4,41,489 | 4,39,820 | 4,15,359 |
| Memory | 1,77,376 | 1,90,977 | 1,99,271 | 1,29,244 |
| UX | 2,00,166 | 2,07,162 | 2,26,510 | 1,50,623 |
| Overall | 10,71,616 | 1,148,452 | 11,76,410 | 9,22,648 |
Geekbench Scores
In leaked Geekbench scores (9, 9 Pro XL), the Tensor G4 on Pixel 9 scored 1,590 points in the single-core test and 3,821 in the multi-core. The Pixel 9 Pro XL had a slightly higher score at 1,950 for single-core and 4,655 for multi-core.
These scores are comparable to the Tensor G3 on our Pixel 8 Pro, which scored 1,759 and 3,810 in single-core and multi-core, respectively.
| Single-core | Multi-core | |
|---|---|---|
| Tensor G4 (Pixel 9) | 1,590 | 3,821 |
| Tensor G4 (Pixel 9 Pro XL) | 1,950 | 4,655 |
| Tensor G3 (Pixel 8 Pro) | 1,759 | 3,810 |
Tensor G4 vs Tensor G3: GPU
While we generally expect GPU upgrades with each new Tensor chip, this one seems to have a minor clock speed change. The Tensor G4 has the same Arm Mali-G715 GPU as the Tensor G3 clocked at up to 940MHz. The one on the Tensor G3 is a 7-core GPU clocked up to 890MHz.
The details for the G4’s GPU cores are not yet known. But there’s a minor clock speed bump of 50Hz that should result in a minutely better graphics performance.
Tensor G4 vs Tensor G3: Modem & Connectivity
Tensor G4 gets an upgraded Samsung Exynos 5400 modem, which boasts 50% better power efficiency and higher download speeds of up to 14.79 Gbps compared to Tensor G3’s Exynos 5300, which maxes out at 10Gbps download and 3.87Gbps upload speeds. However, some Pixel 9 series phones may still use the older modem, including the Pixel 9a.
The Tensor G4 also brings support for one new feature: Satellite Connectivity. This allows you to contact emergency services via satellite and share your location even when a cellular network is not available, as mentioned in one of Google support pages. The feature is currently available on the Pixel 9 series only in the US.
Other connectivity features like 4G LTE, 5G sub-6GHz and mmWave, Wi-Fi 7, and dual-antenna Bluetooth v5.3 remain the same.
Tensor G4 Isn’t a Major Upgrade After all
The Tensor G4 is a mediocre upgrade, in my opinion, and we were expecting better. But again, we shouldn’t forget that this year’s Pixel launched ahead of their usual timeline, which is also why these phones come with Android 14 out of the box and not Android 15.
Google seems to have polished the Tensor G4 and probably focused on improving efficiency and reducing heating and throttling issues. That should also get better with the new vapor cooling chamber on the Pixel 9 Pro, Pro XL, and Pro Fold (the Pixel 9 doesn’t get it), but that will only be clear when we run in-depth tests on the Tensor G4.
The Tensor G4 is miles behind the likes of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and Apple A17 Pro. So, if you were a Pixel fan hoping for hardware wonders in the Pixel 9 series, I’m afraid you’d be disappointed. But there’s still hope for the Tensor G5, which, if reports are to be believed, will be Google’s fully custom-designed SoC built on TSMC’s 3nm foundry process.
