Is Samsung working on the third generation of Google Tensor chips?

Google’s own chip Tensor is not without merit in the Pixel 6 phones and it is therefore not surprising that a second generation Tensor is placed in the Pixel 7. However, Google is enthusiastic: it already seems to have the third Tensor chip in the works at Samsung.

Third generation Tensor

Although Google develops the Tensor chip itself, it does not have a chip factory itself where the final product is baked. For this it takes the services of Samsung, which does have such factories. GalaxyClub writes that Samsung is currently in an early test phase with Google to make the third generation Tensor chips.

According to the website, Google uses a developer board called Ripcurrent, which is not a bad name in itself: Tensor 2 is being developed under the name Cloudripper. The model number of this third Tensor is S5P9865, after the original with number S5P9845 and the second generation with number S5P9855. So that seems to be correct.

Google and Samsung

Although there is little to say about the third generation Google chips, it is good to emphasize that Google again opts for Samsung. Now the two tech greats have been getting closer and closer to each other lately with, for example, the development of the operating system for wearables, WearOS. However, there are of course many more chip makers from which Google can choose, such as MediaTek or Qualcomm. Wouldn’t they have what Google needs, or are they simply asking too much money for it?

In any case, it is hoped that Samsung and Google will make something good of it, because the first Tensor chip was a bit behind the competition. In addition, heat problems quickly arise with the chip, which is not conducive to the shelf life of your phone. It is hoped that much has already been done in Tensor 2 to deal with that heat and, for example, efficiency, but if not, it will probably have to wait until the end of 2024 for Google Tensor 3 to make its debut. That would be in the Pixel 8 series.

What are your experiences with Google’s Tensor chip? Leave it in the comments to this article.