Google’s tensor chip is probably based on the Exynos processor from Samsung
The new “Whitechapel” tensor chip, which will initially be used in the Pixel 6 models, is probably less Google than Google has been suggesting so far. It is an adapted Exynos chip from Samsung.
With the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, Google finally wants to join the ranks of high-end smartphone manufacturers. A goal that the group has pursued since the first Pixel, but has never quite achieved it so far. In order to get closer to this, the manufacturer is relying on new cameras and other top specs – but above all, its own tensor chip should help. However, the system-on-a-chip (SoC) was not developed entirely in-house: the chip is based on an Exynos 9855 from Samsung, they say.
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Pixel 6: Samsung’s Exynos 9855 as the basis for Google’s tensor chip
Like the Dutch Samsung fan blog Galaxy Club reported, the tensor chip is supposed to be the first surfaced last year Exynos 9855 conform. Like Google’s Tensor, the Samsung SoC is said to have the code name “Whitechapel” and, in terms of performance, is a bit higher than the Exynos 2100, which is built into the Galaxy S21 models.
Until recently, Google called the tensor chip “Whitechapel” on the Pixel 6 product page. (Screenshot: t3n)
It is not the first time that a cooperation between the two companies for the development of the chip has been reported. As early as April, it was said that Samsung was significantly involved in this.
Rumor has it that the Whitechapel chip does not come close to Samsung’s upcoming high-end processor, which is to be used in the Galaxy S22 series. The upcoming Exynos 9925 is said to be the first processor with a powerful RDNA-2 graphics chip from ADM. AMD recently confirmed its cooperation with Samsung.
Google Pixel 6 and 6 Pro will be released this fall. (Image. Google)
Unclear how far the Exynos 9855 has been customized by Google
The Google chip will probably not be a pure Exynos 9855. As Google explained in the course of the pre-announcement of the Pixel 6, at least two elements of the SoC come from their own development laboratories: a mobile TPU for AI operations and a new Titan M2 chip for security. The group has also made optimizations for the execution of Google’s computer-aided photography models, which have already been used in the previous pixel models. In addition, the new chip should, among other things, accelerate speech recognition. This means that the tensor chip should not only be top in terms of computing power, but also surpass Samsung’s standard chip in terms of AI calculations and machine learning.
Google did not reveal anything about other components such as CPU, GPU and 5G modem. These parts could therefore ultimately correspond to the Exynos 9855. Incidentally, Samsung and Google are also working together in other hardware areas to improve the Android ecosystem: The two recently announced a new wearable OS, which is a merger of Google’s Wear OS and Samsung’s Tizen.
