Google partnered with Samsung in 2021 to develop in-house Tensor chips for Pixel phones. Since then, the two firms have collaborated on several Tensor processors. However, their partnership could end next year. A report suggests that Google is moving away from Samsung and shifting to its arch-rival TSMC.
Pixel 10 may mark the end of Samsung-Google partnership on Tensor chips
Google started using custom Tensor chips in Pixel phones since the Pixel 6 series in 2021. Samsung has been helping in designing and manufacturing these chips. It even supplies the modem for these custom processors. However, starting with the Pixel 10’s Tensor G5, Google appears to be ending the partnership in all of these areas.
While it has already stopped taking Samsung’s help in chip designing, the company allegedly plans to switch its manufacturing to TSMC too. This is a big blow to the Korean firm, whose foundry division is struggling to secure big chip contracts for advanced processes, including 3nm. TSMC, which leads the foundry market, has been stealing its customers on the back of strong performance.
To make matters worse, Google may stop using Samsung’s modems as well. The company is allegedly testing MediaTek’s T900 5G modem for the Tensor G5 (Qualcomm is the only other company making modern, 5G-ready modems). Based on the Taiwanese firm’s M85 generation modem IP, the new modem should support Release 17 or newer 3GPP 5G technology. No other information is available about this modem.
Google’s Pixel phones have historically used Samsung’s camera sensors, display panels, chip designs, and modems. The latest move suggests the company is looking to reduce its reliance on the Korean firm. It wants to diversify its supply chain, and it’s bad news for Samsung. Google will launch the Pixel 10 series in the second half of 2025. The Pixel 9 debuted in August this year.
