Alongside the Pixel 10 series, Pixel 10 Pro Fold, and Pixel Watch 4, Google has introduced its latest mobile processor: the Tensor G5. Built on a cutting-edge 3nm process, the new chip is designed to deliver faster performance, improved efficiency, and most importantly, advanced AI-driven experiences that set Pixel devices apart from competitors.
The Tensor G5 powers the Pixel 10 family and Pixel 10 Pro Fold, as well as enabling smarter features across Google’s ecosystem of devices. With an emphasis on artificial intelligence, the chip brings new tools for imaging, productivity, and communication.
Architecture and performance
The Tensor G5 uses a 1+3+4 CPU layout, consisting of:
- 1× Cortex-X4 prime core for peak performance
- 3× Cortex-A720 performance cores
- 4× Cortex-A520 efficiency cores
This delivers up to 34% faster CPU performance over Tensor G4.
For graphics, Google continues to use a Mali-based GPU design, optimized for efficiency and AI-assisted rendering. While it lacks hardware ray tracing (a feature found in Apple’s A18 Pro and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3), Google leans on software and AI-powered rendering techniques to improve gaming visuals and performance.
The upgraded TPU (Tensor Processing Unit) is 60% more powerful, enabling features such as live translation, advanced photo editing, and real-time video enhancements. The ISP (Image Signal Processor) also gets improvements for HDR+, Night Sight, and 8K video capture.
Memory and storage support
Google has increased the memory support across the Pixel 10 lineup, pairing Tensor G5 with LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage:
- Pixel 10: 12 GB RAM, up to 256 GB storage
- Pixel 10 Pro: 16 GB RAM, up to 512 GB storage
- Pixel 10 Pro XL: 16 GB RAM, up to 1 TB storage
- Pixel 10 Pro Fold: 16 GB RAM, up to 1 TB storage
This makes the Pro lineup especially competitive with other flagship devices, providing faster multitasking and storage performance.
AI and exclusive features
The Tensor G5 enables many of the new Pixel-exclusive features announced this year:
- Magic Cue: contextual assistance that offers prompts while messaging, writing, or working.
- Camera Coach: real-time photography tips for better framing and lighting.
- Pro Res Zoom: up to 100× zoom with AI reconstruction for sharper detail.
- Ask Photos editing: natural language prompts to modify backgrounds, clothing, or remove objects.
- Voice translation: live translations during calls that replicate the speaker’s tone of voice.
- Gemini Pro integration: on-device AI tasks and seamless access to Google’s broader AI models.
By embedding AI deeply into the chip’s architecture, the Tensor G5 allows Pixels to handle many generative and contextual tasks locally, reducing reliance on the cloud and improving privacy.
Imaging and video improvements
The Tensor G5’s dedicated ISP and NPU bring significant advancements to photography and video:
- Enhanced Night Sight for low-light shots
- Faster HDR+ processing with more dynamic range
- Stabilized 8K video recording with AI-based noise reduction
- Real-time background replacement in video calls and recordings
These upgrades position the Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL as some of the most advanced camera phones available, rivaling Apple’s computational photography on the iPhone 16 Pro.
Efficiency and battery life
Google’s shift to TSMC’s 3 nm process for the Tensor G5 brings measurable efficiency gains over Tensor G4. According to Google, the Pixel 10 series delivers “30+ hours of battery life” in normal use and up to 100 hours with Extreme Battery Saver, depending on the model.
Here’s the confirmed breakdown across devices:
- Pixel 10 – 4,970 mAh battery, rated for over 30 hours of use on a single charge.
- Pixel 10 Pro – 4,870 mAh battery, with 30+ hours of runtime and up to 72 hours with Extreme Battery Saver.
- Pixel 10 Pro XL – 5,200 mAh battery, the largest in the series, pushing endurance up to 100 hours with Extreme Battery Saver.
- Pixel 10 Pro Fold – Google’s biggest foldable battery to date, delivering 30+ hours of general use. It also supports 23W wired charging and 15W Qi2 magnetic wireless charging for faster top-ups.
Pro models benefit from vapor chamber cooling for sustained performance, while the standard Pixel 10 uses a graphite thermal system, ensuring improved thermal management across the lineup.
Benchmarks vs Apple A18 Pro
Early Geekbench 6 results show strong performance gains for Tensor G5:
- Pixel 10 Pro XL: ~2,296 (single-core), ~6,203 (multi-core)
- Pixel 10 Pro Fold: ~2,276 (single-core), ~6,173 (multi-core)
That’s up to a 46% multi-core boost over Tensor G4.
For comparison, Apple’s A18 Pro inside the iPhone 16 Pro scores significantly higher:
| Chip / Device | Single-core (Geekbench 6) | Multi-core (Geekbench 6) |
| Tensor G5 (Pixel 10 Pro XL) | ~2,296 | ~6,203 |
| Tensor G5 (Pixel 10 Pro Fold) | ~2,276 | ~6,173 |
| Apple A18 Pro (iPhone 16 Pro) | ~3,400 | ~8,900 |
While Apple maintains a clear lead in raw CPU benchmarks, Tensor G5 is designed as an AI-first chip, excelling in features like Pro Res Zoom, Camera Coach, live translations, and generative photo editing that don’t show up in synthetic scores.
A direct challenge to Apple silicon
While Apple’s A18 Pro still leads in raw performance, Google is positioning Tensor G5 as an AI-first alternative, enabling features that Apple has yet to bring natively to its chips. The battle is less about benchmark numbers and more about how AI reshapes the smartphone experience.
