TSMC to Produce Tensor G5 for Google

Recent leaks indicated that Google's upcoming Pixel 10 series would debut with the in-house developed Tensor G5 processor, produced by TSMC instead of Samsung, their long-term partner. This rumor has now been substantiated with additional evidence.

According to a report by Android Authority, a shipment list for Tensor G5 samples has been exposed. Although the list does not explicitly mention "Tensor G5," it references "LGA," which is believed to be shorthand for "Laguna Beach," the internal codename for the G5. This suggests that Google might be using abbreviations to maintain secrecy. Companies must declare the contents and value of goods during import or export, and some regions share this information with third parties, making it accessible through various databases.

The shipment list includes the term "A0," indicating an initial version of the chip, possibly in a prototype or preliminary state. The presence of "NPI-OPEN" further confirms these are early samples of the Tensor G5. The mention of SLT (System Level Test) implies the SoC has undergone some form of validation, and "InFo-PoP" refers to TSMC's advanced packaging technology. Android Authority decoded all the codenames listed in the document.

Furthermore, the list reveals that the Pixel 10 Pro will feature 16GB of RAM, suggesting Google's intention to equip the Pixel 10 with substantial memory. Previous reports indicated that the Pixel 9 Pro might also come with 16GB of RAM, making it likely that the Pixel 10 Pro will have similar specifications. The report identifies Google Taiwan as the exporter and Tessolve Semiconductor in India as the importer.

Tessolve specializes in semiconductor validation and testing, indicating that Google is sending these samples for verification. Shipping the samples to India for testing could be a cost-effective strategy. Although the Tensor G5's release is still several months away, it's evident that Google is making significant strides in its development.