Recent leaks have revealed exciting details about Google’s future Pixel chipsets, Tensor G5 and G6, along with improvements that Android 16 will bring to its Quick Settings panel.

Tensor G5 and G6: Core Configurations and Performance Improvements

The leaks, first reported by Android Authority, give us an inside look at the Tensor G5’s architecture. The chip, built on TSMC’s N3E process, continues to use the Arm Cortex-X4 CPU and adopts a 1+5+2 configuration. This includes one Cortex-X4 performance core, five Cortex-A725 cores (upgraded from the A720), and two unchanged Cortex-A520 cores. This shift should result in better handling of performance-heavy tasks while maintaining power efficiency.

One major change with the Tensor G5 is on the GPU front. Google will move away from Arm Mali and introduce a new GPU developed by Imagination Technologies. This GPU, known for its ray tracing capabilities, is expected to enhance graphic performance significantly, especially in virtual machines. Imagination Technologies previously partnered with Apple before Apple moved to in-house solutions, marking a notable return to prominence for the company.

In addition, Google is also boasting about a 14% performance boost in the Tensor Processing Unit (TPU), which handles AI and machine learning tasks.

Following this, Notebookcheck released additional details about the Tensor G6, which is set to power the Pixel 11. The G6, codenamed “Malibu,” will be based on TSMC’s more advanced N3P node and feature a 1+6 core layout. The flagship core will be the unannounced Cortex-X930 (expected to be branded as X5), alongside the Cortex-A730 cores. Interestingly, Google seems to be following Qualcomm’s lead with the Snapdragon 8 Elite by focusing more on performance cores rather than efficiency cores, suggesting that higher-performing cores can now manage energy consumption efficiently.

Another important improvement in the Tensor G6 is a new version of the Imagination Technologies GPU, which consumes 15% less power than its predecessor. While these leaks give us significant insights into Google’s plans, the exact state of this information is unclear, and things could change by the time these chips are officially announced.

Android 16: Quick Settings Overhaul

In addition to hardware advancements, Google’s upcoming software update, Android 16, is expected to bring an improved Quick Settings experience. Currently, in Android 15, users face an unorganized, two-column list when editing Quick Settings. Whether it’s a system tile or one provided by an app, finding and adding the right tile can be cumbersome, especially as more apps add their own shortcuts to the panel.

Leaked details found in the latest Android 15 beta indicate that Android 16 will introduce categorized Quick Settings tiles, making it much easier to organize and find tiles. These categories include:

1. Accessibility – tiles like Color correction, Hearing devices, etc.
2. Connectivity – tiles such as Data Saver and Hotspot.
3. Display – likely containing screen-related settings.
4. Privacy
5. Provided by Apps – for third-party app tiles.
6. Unknown
7. Utilities – for tools like device controls and the QR code scanner.

The update aims to eliminate the frustration of scrolling through long, unorganized lists to find specific Quick Settings. While the current Android 15 update already shows some changes, it’s clear that this full revamp will likely be part of Android 16’s release.

This overhaul will streamline the user experience by automatically hiding categories that no longer have available tiles to add. For example, if you’ve already added tiles from the Utilities category, it will disappear from the editing view, reducing unnecessary clutter.

Conclusion

With both the Tensor G5 and G6 promising significant performance improvements and Android 16 bringing much-needed organization to the Quick Settings panel, Google is focusing on enhancing both its hardware and software experiences. Whether through better performance in gaming and AI tasks or a smoother interface for everyday settings, Pixel users can expect a more powerful and user-friendly experience in the years to come.