Apple has gradually expanded its custom silicon to its entire Mac lineup, and the iPhone has mostly been the first device to boast new chip technology. The company has been developing 3nm chips for the iPhone and Mac for almost a year, and the competition seems to be just embarking on the technology, including Google and Samsung. Google will finally embrace TSMC for its Tensor G5 chips in 2025, which could mark the company's first silicon to be based on the supplier's 3nm process.
Google to give Apple competition with its Tensor G5 chips based on TSMC's 3nm process, but Apple could move to 2nm chips by then
Apple has been TSMC's main client for a while, securing chip technology way before the competition, and the partnership has benefited both parties in terms of performance and profits. It was previously reported that Google and TSMC had struck a deal that would allow the chip maker to develop a completely custom Tensor G series of chips for Google's Pixel lineup. If Google plays its cards right with TSMC and does not undergo supply constraints, the Tensor G5 will be the first chip from TSMC dedicated to the Pixel lineup.
So far, we have heard that Google is developing testing facilities for its chips, and based on a new report from Business Korea, the first TSMC chip will be fabricated on a 3nm process. This could put the Google Pixel lineup close to the performance levels of the current iPhone models. However, Apple is far ahead of the competition in terms of chip technology and the performance that is derived from it.
By the time Google introduces its 3nm Tensor G5 chip for the Pixel phones, Apple would be working to introduce 2nm or 1.4nm chips for the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. However, Google's Pixel-branded devices would hold no benefits over the competition as MediaTek and Qualcomm are also expected to jump on the 3nm bandwagon with their forthcoming products.
In the age of generative AI technology, on-device processing requires raw power, and 3nm chips are the base starting point for a device, at least for the iPhone. The new chip technology will allow the Pixels to feature better computational and graphical performance while offering hefty room for on-device AI utilities. Google's current Tensor G3 chip is based on a 4nm process, and the technology will also run through the Pixel 9 series. We can expect the tenth generation of Pixel phones to be powered by a new and improved 3nm chip.
Samsung, on the other hand, appears to be struggling with its 3nm chips, as the yield ratio is quite low due to efficiency issues. In comparison to TSMC's 3nm chips, Samsung's Exynos 2500 chip features 10 to 20 percent less heat dissipation while being less power efficient. Google's rendition of the chip technology and the potential performance that can be derived from it also depends on the company's optimization between the software and the hardware, which could make or break the future experience of the Pixel phones.
About the author: Ali Salman is a technology reporter for Wccftech mobile section with a specialized focus on Apple and the intellectual property that drives mobile innovation. He has cultivated a unique expertise in analyzing and deconstructing complex technology patents, translating dense legal and technical documents into clear, insightful reports on future products.
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