Forget Google Pixel 7 — the Pixel 8’s Tensor 3 chip is reportedly in development

Google Pixel 7 reveal at Google IO 2022
(Image credit: Google)

We’re still yet to find out how the Tensor 2-powered Pixel 7 shapes up against the best phones of the year, but Google is apparently already testing 2023’s chips. 

According to GalaxyClub, Google and its partners at Samsung have begun testing what will likely become known as the Tensor 3. The third-generation chipset has the model number S5P9865, and is being tested on a board codenamed Ripcurrent.

For comparison, the Tensor 2 has the model number S5P9855 and is being tested on a board codenamed Cloudripper, while the original Tensor that’s already out in the Pixel 6 has the model number S5P9845. The pattern isn’t hard to spot.

There’s nothing about how the reported Tensor 3 will improve upon its predecessors in the report (which is hardly surprising, given we don’t yet know how the Tensor 2 chip will fare), though no doubt it’ll offer the usual speed and efficiency improvements chips see between generations. 

What’s more interesting, perhaps, is that it shows Google has no regrets about its decision to go its own way with the Pixel 6. Stepping away from Qualcomm — the chipmaker that provides the vast majority of processors for the best Android phones — is a decision that could have ended badly. The fact that the company intends to repeat its choice not just for the Pixel 7, but presumably also the Pixel 8 suggests that the gamble has paid off for Google in terms of sales.

Hopefully we will see a big performance increase with the Pixel 7, all the same. While the Pixel 6 was a great start, the benchmarks show that it wasn’t quite as speedy as handsets powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888, let alone the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or Apple’s A15 Bionic. 

We shouldn’t have to wait too much longer to find out. Google has already announced that the Pixel 7 will arrive this fall, and past form suggests that we can expect an event in October, when we should also get our hands on the company’s first wearable: the Pixel Watch.

There are also ongoing rumors that a foldable called the Pixel Notepad may be on the way, but that’s definitely more in the ‘maybe’ column for 2022.

Next: The Pixel 7 range could come with this major Bluetooth audio upgrade

TOPICS
Alan Martin

Freelance contributor Alan has been writing about tech for over a decade, covering phones, drones and everything in between. Previously Deputy Editor of tech site Alphr, his words are found all over the web and in the occasional magazine too. When not weighing up the pros and cons of the latest smartwatch, you'll probably find him tackling his ever-growing games backlog. Or, more likely, playing Spelunky for the millionth time.

Read more
CAD renders of the Google Pixel 10
Google Pixel 10’s Tensor G5 chipset could be very different — here’s what we know
CAD renderings of the Google Pixel 10 Pro
Latest Google Pixel 10 leak could make you want to skip it altogether
google pixel 9 review shots of phone
Google Pixel 10 — biggest rumors and what we want to see
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL review.
Google Pixel 11 Pro leaks on the day Samsung set to unveil Galaxy S25 Ultra
CAD renderings of the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL
Pixel 10 leak could be good news for all Android phones
Pixel 9 Pro Fold and the Pixel Watch 3
What to expect from Google in 2025 — Pixel 10, Android 16, Pixel Watch 4 and more
Latest in Google Phones
CAD renders of the Google Pixel 10
Pixel 10 could include a repurposed ‘Pixie’ assistant — but what actually happened?
Google Pixel 9 with Amazon Spring Sale deal tag
The Google Pixel 9 is at its lowest price ever for Amazon Spring Sale — 30% off now
back of Iris Pixel 9a
The Google Pixel 9a is lacking one of the Pixel 9’s best safety features — here’s what we know
Google Pixel 9a with thumbs up and thumbs down icons
Google Pixel 9a — 5 reasons to buy and 3 reasons to skip
Pixel 9 Pro XL held in the hand with price drop badge.
Not a typo! This epic deal makes the flagship Pixel 9 Pro XL the same price as the budget Pixel 9a
Google Pixel 9a hands-on.
Pixel 9a’s on-device AI isn’t as good as the Pixel 9 — here’s what’s different
Latest in News
NYTimes Connections
NYT Connections today hints and answers — Friday, March 28 (#656)
Reddit logo and Reddit logo on phone
Reddit, X and MLB.TV were down — live updates on outage
Nintendo Switch 2 console, Joy-Con controllers and dock
The Switch 2's mysterious "C" button may have just been confirmed by Nintendo
Nintendo Switch virtual game card
Nintendo just announced 'Virtual Game Cards' ahead of Switch 2 launch
Gerard Butler as Detective Nick "Big Nick" O'Brien in "Den of Thieves 2: Pantera"
Netflix top 10 movies — here’s the 3 worth watching right now
Graphic screen displaying malware detection warning
This dangerous new Windows malware hides from your antivirus while impersonating a popular PC brand
  • divakarraj
    Then will be there an article when Pixel 8 is a about to be released as "Forget Google Pixel 8 -- the Pixel 9's Tensor 4 chip is reportedly in Development"?
    Reply
  • d0x360
    divakarraj said:
    Then will be there an article when Pixel 8 is a about to be released as "Forget Google Pixel 8 -- the Pixel 9's Tensor 4 chip is reportedly in Development"?
    Yup, for 6 they said forget 6 pixel 7 could get this massive camera upgrade... Ok but it's almost time for 7. 8 is at least a year and 2 months away.
    Reply