Is Google set to ditch Samsung for 3nm Tensor G5 production?

Google Pixel 10 series will likely use 3nm Tensor G5 made by TSMC. The company is swiftly working to switch the Tensor producer for the next-gen SoC. Starting with the Tensor G1, Samsung has been fabricating Pixel-exclusive chips.

BusinessKorea reports that Google is likely to switch Tensor G5 production from Samsung to TSMC next year. The report suggests that the Tensor G5 will be used in the Pixel 10 series and is expected to be produced using TSMC’s 3nm process.

Samsung retained Google for the production of the Tensor G4 processor last year. Recent developments suggest that the Tensor G5 would not be produced at Samsung Foundry as a switch to Taiwan’s TSMC is highly likely.

Google and TSMC have entered the full-scale mass production phase of the Tensor G5. Despite utilizing its own developed Tensor, Google’s Pixel phones have always been criticized for performance and efficiency issues.

“TSMC has gained an advantage over Samsung in the 3nm process.”

In a situation where Samsung urgently needs to secure Foundry clients, losing Google to TSMC could disrupt its order strategy. Samsung Elec is also considering solely using Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 which would also benefit TSMC.

Samsung Foundry’s low yield rate is the biggest reason for Google to opt for TSMC. Exynos 2500 is already facing release uncertainty, and the departure of Google would significantly harm Samsung Foundry’s Mobile AP business.

Beyond Tensor G5, Google is rumored to produce Tensor G6 using TSMC’s 2nm process. It will be a huge leap in the Pixel segment’s AP strategy. Pixel 11 may be the early entry to ship with a 2nm process-based chipset variant.