The Tensor G4 will likely be Google's final chipset fabricated by Samsung, as the company looks to extend its business ties with TSMC to allow its Pixel range of smartphones and tablets to better compete with its rivals. According to the latest report, some Mountain View executives recently visited Taiwan, with the possibility that the partnership between the two firms will last between 3 and 5 years. Later this year, we should bear witness to the first product that will materialize as a result of the Google-TSMC tag-team, which is the Tensor G5, and it is said to be mass produced on the 3nm process.
Given that Samsung continues to struggle with its 3nm GAA yields, Google would have to wait almost forever to receive its Tensor G5 shipments while also paying a hefty sum due to the Korean foundry's problems, which will not be feasible for it to retain competition. Instead, the advertising behemoth is taking an approach that nearly all technology giants are familiar with and that is securing TSMC as their semiconductor partner.
With the Pixel 10 series possibly launching in Q4 2025, DigiTimes reports that Google executives took a trip to Taiwan to further strengthen the company's partnership with TSMC and lock in a deal that could last nearly half a decade. Even after this contract expires, Google will likely renew its deal with TSMC, seeing as how the latter possesses the technological edge.
Back in April, we reported that the Taiwanese firm started taking orders for its 2nm wafers, meaning it already has a comprehensive lead in the semiconductor race. Qualcomm, MediaTek, and Apple are said to utilize TSMC's third-generation 3nm process, also known as 'N3P,' for their respective chipsets, with various companies gravitating to the 2nm node in 2026.
While Google is a whole generation behind because its Tensor G5 is said to be mass produced on the second-generation 3nm process, with a few tweaks, it can come close to the performance and efficiency metrics of competing SoCs. For now, we will keep our fingers crossed for the future unveiling and will return with more updates, so stay tuned.