Google’s Pixel 10 Tensor G5 to feature a brand-new camera processor

Google is making big changes for its next Pixel 10 smartphone, set to launch with the Tensor G5 chip. Unlike before, where Google teamed up with Samsung to build its Tensor chips, this time they’re partnering with TSMC, a different chip-making company. To pull this off, Google is mixing some ready-made parts with its own designs, including a brand-new, fully custom camera processor (ISP).

In the past, Tensor chips were a blend of Google’s ideas and Samsung’s parts, built using Samsung’s tech alongside its Exynos chips. But with Tensor G5, Google is stepping away from Samsung and turning to TSMC. This shift means swapping out some pieces of the chip for new ones that fit TSMC’s process. According to a report from Android Authority, Google will keep some of its own upgraded designs—like the ones for AI tasks, sound, and memory—but it’s replacing other bits with off-the-shelf options.

Here’s what’s changing: the graphics part will switch from Arm Mali to Imagination Technologies DXT, the video system will move to Chips&Media WAVE677DV, and the display controller will now use VeriSilicon DC9000. The biggest highlight, though, is the camera processor. Google is ditching the Samsung version it tweaked before and building its own from scratch. This isn’t new for Google—they’ve made custom camera chips like the “Pixel Visual Core” for the Pixel 2 back in 2017 and the “Pixel Neural Core” for the Pixel 4, before switching gears with Tensor in 2021.

Other swaps include a new MediaTek modem instead of Samsung’s and different controllers for things like storage and power. For most people using the Pixel 10, these changes might not stand out day-to-day. Still, it’ll be worth watching to see if the new camera processor or other parts bring better photos, smoother performance, or maybe even some unexpected hiccups. Google’s move to TSMC and its own camera tech shows it’s aiming to take more control over what makes its Pixels tick.