Google Tensor is a custom processor developed by Google for the Pixel 6 series that launched in late 2021. The processor is designed to enhance the machine learning (ML) and security capabilities of the Pixel devices. Google Tensor was made by collaborating with Samsung and using some components from Samsung's Exynos 2100 processor.
Snapdragon is a brand of processors made by Qualcomm, one of the main suppliers of chips for Android smartphones. Snapdragon has various series, ranging from the 400 series for mid-range to low-end devices to the 800 series for high-end devices. One of the latest Snapdragon processors is the Snapdragon 888 that was introduced in late 2020 and used by many flagship phones in 2021.
So, how do Google Tensor and Snapdragon compare? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each processor? Let's take a closer look.
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| Google Tensor vs Snapdragon |
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CPU Comparison
CPU or Central Processing Unit is the part of the processor that is responsible for running program instructions. The CPU usually has several cores that can work in parallel to increase processing speed. The CPU also has a frequency or clock speed that indicates how fast the core can execute instructions.
Google Tensor has eight CPU cores consisting of two Cortex-X1 cores clocked at 2.8 GHz, two Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.25 GHz, and four Cortex-A55 cores clocked at 1.8 GHz. Cortex-X1 is the strongest core designed by Arm, the company that makes the CPU architecture for many smartphone processors. Cortex-A76 and Cortex-A55 are more power-efficient and efficient cores.
Snapdragon 888 also has eight CPU cores, but with a slightly different composition. Snapdragon 888 has one Cortex-X1 core clocked at 2.84 GHz (or 3 GHz for the Plus version), three Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.4 GHz, and four Cortex-A55 cores clocked at 1.8 GHz. Cortex-A78 is a newer and faster core than Cortex-A76.
In terms of CPU, Snapdragon 888 seems to outperform Google Tensor because it has higher frequencies for the Cortex-X1 and Cortex-A78 cores. In addition, Snapdragon 888 also has three Cortex-A78 cores that can handle heavy tasks better than two Cortex-A76 cores owned by Google Tensor.
This can be seen from the benchmark test results such as AnTuTu and Geekbench that measure overall CPU performance. Based on NanoReview.net site², AnTuTu 9 score for Google Tensor CPU is around 190 thousand, while for Snapdragon 888 CPU is around 213 thousand. Geekbench 5 score for single-core Google Tensor is around 1,038, while for single-core Snapdragon 888 is around 1,120. Geekbench 5 score for multi-core Google Tensor is around 2,845, while for multi-core Snapdragon 888 is around 3,673.
GPU Comparison
GPU or Graphics Processing Unit is the part of the processor that is responsible for processing graphics such as images, videos, and animations. The GPU usually has many cores that can work in parallel to improve graphics quality and frame rate. The GPU also has a frequency or clock speed that indicates how fast the core can process graphics.
Google Tensor uses the Mali-G78 MP20 GPU made by Arm, the same company that makes the CPU architecture. This GPU has 20 cores that operate at a maximum frequency of 800 MHz.
Snapdragon 888 uses the Adreno 660 GPU made by Qualcomm itself. This GPU has an unknown number of cores, but operates at a maximum frequency of 840 MHz.
In terms of GPU, Snapdragon 888 also seems to outperform Google Tensor because it has a higher frequency and better graphics rendering capability. This can be seen from the benchmark test results such as 3DMark and GFXBench that measure GPU performance in various graphics scenarios. Based on NanoReview.net site, 3DMark Wild Life Performance score for Google Tensor GPU is around 6,242, while for Snapdragon 888 GPU is around 5,051. However, Google Tensor GPU stability is only around 56%, while for Snapdragon 888 GPU is around 91%. GFXBench Aztec Ruins Vulkan High Tier Offscreen score for Google Tensor GPU is around 28 FPS, while for Snapdragon 888 GPU is around 38 FPS.
In addition, Snapdragon 888 can also run popular games with higher graphics settings and more stable frame rates than Google Tensor. Based on Android Authority site, Snapdragon 888 can run PUBG Mobile with Ultra settings and frame rate of about 83 FPS, while Google Tensor is unknown. Snapdragon 888 can also run Fortnite with Ultra settings and frame rate of about 26 FPS, while Google Tensor can only run with Medium settings and frame rate of about 20 FPS.
ML and Security Comparison
ML or Machine Learning is a technology that allows devices to learn from data and experience without explicit programming. ML can be used for various purposes, such as face recognition, natural language processing, computational photography, and so on. Security is an aspect that relates to the protection of data and user privacy from external and internal threats.
Google Tensor is a processor that is specially designed to enhance the ML and security capabilities of Pixel devices. Google Tensor has a TPU or Tensor Processing Unit which is a special chip to accelerate ML operations. TPU can perform ML operations faster and more power-efficiently than regular CPU or GPU. Google Tensor also has a Titan M2 Security Chip which is a special chip to encrypt data and protect devices from hardware attacks.
Snapdragon 888 also has advanced ML and security features. Snapdragon 888 has a Hexagon 780 DSP or Digital Signal Processor which is a special chip to accelerate ML and digital signal operations. DSP can perform ML operations faster and more power-efficiently than regular CPU or GPU. Snapdragon 888 also has a Secure Processing Unit or SPU which is a special chip to encrypt data and protect devices from software attacks.
In terms of ML and security, Google Tensor may have an advantage over Snapdragon 888 because it has special chips that are more optimal for those purposes. This can be seen from the benchmark test results such as AI Benchmark Alpha that measure overall ML performance. Based on Android Authority site, AI Benchmark Alpha score for Google Tensor is around 59.9 images/s, while for Snapdragon 888 is around 67.7 words/s. Google Tensor also has unique and exclusive security features for Pixel devices, such as Private Compute Core which is a separate part of the processor that can run sensitive functions such as Live Caption, Now Playing, and Smart Reply without sending data to Google servers.
Power Efficiency and Heat Comparison
Power efficiency is an aspect that relates to how much power the processor needs to run certain tasks. High power efficiency means the processor can run tasks with low power, thus saving battery and increasing device lifespan. Heat is an aspect that relates to how much heat the processor generates when working. High heat means the processor works hard, thus lowering performance and device health.
Google Tensor and Snapdragon 888 are both made with 5 nm process technology which is the latest and most advanced technology today. 5 nm process technology means the transistor size in the processor is very small, only about 5 nanometers. Small transistor size means the processor can have more transistors in the same space, thus increasing performance and power efficiency.
However, Google Tensor and Snapdragon 888 may have differences in terms of power efficiency and heat because they have different core compositions for CPU and GPU. Google Tensor has fewer and lower-speed CPU and GPU cores than Snapdragon 888. This may make Google Tensor more power-efficient and cooler than Snapdragon 888. However, this may also make Google Tensor slower and less responsive than Snapdragon 888.
Unfortunately, there are no official benchmark tests that measure power efficiency and heat of Google Tensor and Snapdragon 888 directly. However, based on Android Authority site, Pixel 6 Pro which uses Google Tensor has a battery of 5,003 mAh that can last for about 8 hours 15 minutes in their battery test. Meanwhile, OnePlus 9 Pro which uses Snapdragon 888 has a battery of 4,500 mAh that can last for about 7 hours 40 minutes in their battery test. This shows that Google Tensor may be more power-efficient than Snapdragon 888.
5G and Media Support Comparison
5G support is an aspect that relates to the ability of the processor to connect with the fifth generation or 5G cellular network. 5G network is the newest and fastest network today that can offer download speeds up to gigabits per second and latency up to milliseconds. Media is an aspect that relates to the ability of the processor to support media formats such as audio, video, image, and so on.
Google Tensor and Snapdragon 888 both support 5G network with sub-6 GHz and mmWave frequencies. Sub-6 GHz frequency is a low frequency that can reach a wide area but has moderate speed. MmWave frequency is a high frequency that can offer high speed but has a short range. Both processors also have integrated modems in their chips, namely Exynos 5123 for Google Tensor and Snapdragon X60 for Snapdragon 888.
However, Google Tensor and Snapdragon 888 may have differences in terms of media support because they use different GPUs. Google Tensor uses Mali-G78 MP20 GPU that supports media formats such as H.264, H.265, VP9, and AV1. AV1 is the newest and most efficient video format today that can save bandwidth up to 50% compared to previous formats. Snapdragon 888 uses Adreno 660 GPU that supports media formats such as H.264, H.265, and VP9. VP9 is a fairly efficient and popular video format today that is used by YouTube and Netflix.
In terms of 5G and media support, Google Tensor and Snapdragon 888 may not have significant differences because they both support 5G network with sub-6 GHz and mmWave frequencies. However, Google Tensor may have an advantage in terms of supporting AV1 video format that is more bandwidth-efficient than other formats.
Price and Availability Comparison
Price is an aspect that relates to how expensive the processor is sold in the market. The price of the processor can be influenced by various factors, such as demand, competition, production cost, and so on. Availability is an aspect that relates to how easy the processor can be found and bought in the market. The availability of the processor can be influenced by various factors, such as stock, distribution, exclusivity, and so on.
Google Tensor is an exclusive processor for Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro devices owned by Google. The processor is not sold separately or used by other smartphone manufacturers. Therefore, the price and availability of Google Tensor depend on the price and availability of Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro devices.
Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro were launched in late 2021 with prices of $599 and $899 respectively in the United States. The devices are available in some countries such as the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Australia, Japan, and so on. However, the devices are not available in some large countries such as Indonesia, India, China, Brazil, and so on.
Snapdragon 888 is a common processor used by many smartphone manufacturers for their flagship devices. The processor is sold separately to smartphone manufacturers who want to use it. Therefore, the price and availability of Snapdragon 888 depend on the price and availability of the devices that use it.
Some examples of devices that use Snapdragon 888 are Samsung Galaxy S21 series, OnePlus 9 series, Xiaomi Mi 11 series, Asus Zenfone 8 series, Sony Xperia 1 III series, and so on. The prices of these devices vary from around $700 to $1,500 depending on the specifications and other features. These devices are available in many countries around the world with wide distribution.
In terms of price and availability, Snapdragon 888 may have an advantage over Google Tensor because it is cheaper and easier to find in the market. However, Google Tensor may have an advantage in terms of exclusivity and differentiation from other processors.
Conclusion
Google Tensor and Snapdragon 888 are two processors that have advantages and disadvantages each. Google Tensor is a custom processor designed by Google to enhance the ML and security capabilities of Pixel devices. Snapdragon 888 is a common processor made by Qualcomm to enhance the CPU and GPU performance of Android devices.
In terms of CPU and GPU, Snapdragon 888 outperforms Google Tensor because it has higher frequencies and better core compositions. In terms of ML and security, Google Tensor outperforms Snapdragon 888 because it has special chips that are more optimal for those purposes. In terms of power efficiency and heat, Google Tensor may be more power-efficient and cooler than Snapdragon 888 because it has fewer and lower-speed CPU and GPU cores. In terms of 5G and media support, Google Tensor and Snapdragon 888 may not have significant differences because they both support 5G network with sub-6 GHz and mmWave frequencies. However, Google Tensor may have an advantage in terms of supporting AV1 video format that is more bandwidth-efficient than other formats. In terms of price and availability, Snapdragon 888 may have an advantage over Google Tensor because it is cheaper and easier to find in the market. However, Google Tensor may have an advantage in terms of exclusivity and differentiation from other processors.
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