Google's Tensor G5 SoC leverages Imagination's IMG DXT-48-1536 GPU. Yet as we've been noting ad nauseam over the past couple of weeks, the SoC is quick to heat up and throttle, with many pointing towards Imagination's GPU as the culprit.
Now, however, it seems that Google has given a tacit admission of this issue by resolving to "improve driver quality" via its monthly and quarterly updates.
Google: "We are continuing to improve driver quality in our monthly and quarterly system updates"
To get an idea of how underwhelming is the performance of Imagination's IMG DXT-48-1536 GPU within the Tensor G5, consider the fact that its AnTuTu 10 GPU score is just 40 percent of the one secured by MediaTek Dimensity 9500's ARM Mali-G1 Ultra MC12 GPU (as quoted by NanoReview).
Now, Google has responded to a query by Android Authority, providing a commitment for further Pixel 10 GPU driver updates:
"We are continuing to improve driver quality in our monthly and quarterly system updates. For example, the most recent September and October patch releases included driver improvements. In future releases we are planning further GPU driver updates."
Notice the extremely cautious language that Google employs here. There is a reason for that. While Google has worked closely with Imagination to develop the new IMG DXT-48-1536 GPU, Imagination retains full proprietary control over DXT-series drivers.
This means that while Google can tweak certain elements of the GPU, especially in relation to AI loads and power management, it must rely on Imagination for foundational driver updates and hardware-specific code.
Hopefully, these upcoming driver updates will be able to resolve the chronic Tensor G5 throttling issues currently being faced by Pixel 10 users.
About the author: Writing is my one incontrovertible passion. Over the past six years, he has authored over 2,200 distinct articles on financial and tech-related topics, spanning nearly 1 million words. And he has been a member of Wcctech mobile team since 2025. As an alumnus of the University of Toronto, Rotman Commerce Program, I bring nuance, in-depth knowledge, and a unique perspective to every topic that I cover. When I'm not writing, I'm traveling the world, exploring hidden confectionaries and restaurants as an aspiring food connoisseur.
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