Google Pixel 10 to pack 3nm Tensor from TSMC, Samsung ousted

Google may opt for 3nm TSMC for the development of Pixel 10’s Tensor G5. Starting the first Tensor, Samsung has been manufacturing Google’s custom processors. However, the Foundry partnership would mark a halt (or an end) with the launch of Pixel 9’s Tensor G4.

According to CTEE, Google Pixel 9’s 3nm Tensor G5 has already been ordered to TSMC. However, the upcoming Tensor G4 is being fabricated on Samsung Foundry’s 4nm process. As the chip is ordered, Google may have finalized the design of the Tensor G5.

Samsung Foundry is facing yield issues with its 3nm process technology. It was reported that the 3nm yield is just 20%, which is not adequate for greenlit mass production. It is also harming Samsung’s Exynos plans, with Galaxy S25 reportedly using MediaTek’s SoC.

Thanks to the 3nm process, Google’s future flagships will offer massive performance and power efficiency improvements. Meanwhile, time will tell whether the Pixel maker has chosen TSMC’s N3E (second-generation 3nm) or N3P (third-generation 3nm) process.

Qualcomm has already switched to TSMC due to overheating and performance issues in Snapdragon chips. Not only mobile chipmakers, but big giants like Nvidia, have also ditched Samsung. This would further widen the gap between TSMC and Samsung Foundry.