TL;DR
Google's Tensor G6 chipset for the Pixel 11 series will adopt ARM's latest CPU cores but pair them with a GPU architecture that is already two generations behind, creating a stark performance and efficiency mismatch. This matters because it signals Google is prioritizing AI and modem improvements over raw graphics, potentially ceding ground to Qualcomm and Apple in mobile gaming and compute-intensive tasks.
What Happened
An early leak of Google's Tensor G6 chipset, slated for the Pixel 11 series in 2026, reveals a paradoxical design: the chip will integrate ARM's cutting-edge X9 and A730 CPU cores while shipping with a GPU based on the Mali-G715 architecture — a design that debuted in 2023. The leak, published by 9to5Google on April 29, 2026, offers the first concrete glimpse into Google's silicon roadmap two years ahead of launch, and it raises immediate questions about the company's strategic priorities.
Key Facts
- The Tensor G6 is codenamed "Laguna" and will power the Pixel 11 series expected in August 2026.
- CPU configuration includes ARM's Cortex-X9 prime core and Cortex-A730 performance cores, both from ARM's 2025 CPU core roadmap.
- The GPU is based on the Mali-G715 architecture, first introduced by ARM in 2023 — a two-generation-old design by 2026.
- Google is developing the Tensor G6 in partnership with Samsung's System LSI division, using Samsung's 3nm GAA (Gate-All-Around) process node.
- The chip is expected to include a custom TPU (Tensor Processing Unit) for on-device AI, a next-gen ISP for computational photography, and an Exynos 5400 modem.
- The leak originates from internal Google documents viewed by 9to5Google; Google has not commented on the report.
- The Tensor G5, expected in the Pixel 10 (2025), is also rumored to use a 3nm process but with an older CPU/GPU configuration.
Breaking It Down
The Tensor G6's CPU choice is aggressive. ARM's Cortex-X9 is expected to deliver a roughly 15–20% single-thread performance uplift over the Cortex-X5 used in current Tensor chips, while the A730 cores should bring similar gains in multi-threaded workloads. This puts Google's CPU performance on par with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 9 Gen 4 and Apple's A19 expected in the same timeframe — at least for compute tasks that rely on the CPU.
The GPU gap is the story: Mali-G715 was first implemented in the MediaTek Dimensity 9200 in late 2022, meaning by 2026, Google will be using a GPU architecture that is three years old and two full generations behind ARM's latest Mali-G925 and the upcoming G9xx series.
This GPU lag is not trivial. The Mali-G715 lacks hardware support for ray tracing acceleration and variable rate shading, features that have been standard in Qualcomm's Adreno 7-series and Apple's A-series GPUs since 2023–2024. For Pixel 11 users, this means gaming performance will likely trail competitors by 30–50% in GPU-bound titles, and graphics-intensive applications like video editing or AR will suffer from higher latency and lower frame rates.
Why would Google accept this compromise? The answer likely lies in modem integration. Google has struggled for years with Tensor's modem performance — the Pixel 6 series had widespread connectivity issues, and later models improved only incrementally. By using the Exynos 5400 modem (developed for Samsung's own 3nm chips), Google gains a proven, power-efficient 5G solution that supports mmWave and sub-6 GHz bands. This modem choice may have forced a trade-off: Samsung's 3nm process and modem package may not have been validated with ARM's latest GPU IP, or Google simply prioritized AI and modem stability over GPU leadership.
The custom TPU further explains the strategy. Google's Tensor chips have always been about on-device AI, powering features like Magic Eraser, Real Tone, and Live Translate. A more advanced TPU, combined with faster CPU cores, can accelerate AI workloads without needing a bleeding-edge GPU. For Google's core user base — photography enthusiasts and Android purists — this trade-off may be acceptable. But for power users who want to play Genshin Impact at 60 fps or edit 4K video on-device, the Pixel 11 will be a hard sell.
What Comes Next
- Pixel 10 (Tensor G5) launch in August 2025 — This will be the first test of Google's 3nm strategy with Samsung. If the G5 suffers from thermal or efficiency issues, it could signal problems for the G6's design choices.
- ARM's GPU roadmap announcement in 2025 — ARM typically unveils new GPU architectures at Tech Day events in the spring. If ARM announces a Mali-G9xx series with major efficiency gains, Google's G715 decision will look even more dated.
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 9 Gen 5 reveal in October 2025 — Qualcomm's next flagship chip will likely feature Adreno 8-series GPU with hardware ray tracing and AI-accelerated graphics. Direct comparisons will highlight the GPU gap.
- Google's Pixel 11 camera and AI feature previews in early 2026 — Google will likely emphasize TPU-driven features to distract from GPU shortcomings, similar to how it handled the Tensor G1's modem issues with computational photography.
The Bigger Picture
This leak underscores two broader trends. First, Google's silicon strategy is increasingly AI-first, not performance-first. Unlike Apple and Qualcomm, which compete on raw GPU and CPU benchmarks, Google is optimizing for its own software ecosystem — specifically, the Tensor Processing Unit that powers features competitors cannot replicate. This mirrors how Tesla prioritizes its Full Self-Driving chip over gaming performance in its infotainment systems.
Second, Samsung's foundry dependency remains Google's Achilles' heel. Despite moving to a 3nm GAA process, Google is still reliant on Samsung's design ecosystem, which limits its ability to mix and match IP from ARM's latest catalog. By contrast, Apple designs its own GPU cores entirely, and Qualcomm licenses ARM CPU designs but uses its own Adreno GPU. Google's hybrid approach — ARM CPUs + Samsung modem + its own TPU — creates integration challenges that force compromises like the Mali-G715.
The custom silicon race is now a three-player game: Apple (vertical integration), Qualcomm (horizontal licensing), and Google (AI specialization). The Tensor G6 leak suggests Google is betting that AI will matter more than graphics in the mid-2020s. That bet may pay off — or it may leave Pixel users with phones that feel fast for text but slow for everything else.
Key Takeaways
- [CPU Leadership]: Tensor G6 will use ARM's latest Cortex-X9 and A730 cores, matching Qualcomm and Apple on CPU performance by 2026.
- [GPU Lag]: The Mali-G715 GPU is two generations old, lacking ray tracing and modern efficiency features, creating a 30–50% graphics deficit.
- [AI Priority]: Google is trading GPU performance for a custom TPU and proven modem integration, betting on on-device AI over gaming.
- [Samsung Dependency]: Google's partnership with Samsung's foundry limits its IP flexibility, a structural disadvantage versus Apple and Qualcomm.
