05 Aug 2021

Google debuts in-house chip in new Pixel phones

Google has announced its first move into the system on a chip (SoC) field with its new Tensor SoC set to be used inside two upcoming phones, the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro launching this autumn.

The Tensor SoC is named after the Tensor Processing Units (TPU) that Google uses in its data centres. The company said it has designed its own chip "in order to make the most of its machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies".

According to Google, the chip will “redefine what it means to be a Pixel” when it launches in the UK for a price expected to be in the region of £1,000.

Tensor is an SoC using a mix of components that Google has either designed or licensed. Google will continue to use third-party designs for elements including the CPU, GPU, and modem on its next phones to release. Previously Google has used Qualcomm processors in its Android devices.

Rick Osterloh, Google’s head of devices, said: “As more and more features are powered by AI and ML [machine learning] it’s not simply about adding more computing resources, it’s about using that ML to unlock specific experiences for our Pixel users.”