Google Tensor G4: A Deep Dive into the Pixel 9's Processor
Pixel 9 series brings forth the Tensor G4, an incremental upgrade over the one before but not necessarily one that revolutionizes performance. Google brings with it Arm's new CPU cores with slightly faster clock speeds and a new Exynos modem. The experience remains in line with what occurred in the case of the G3 last year. Everyday usage is seamless, but intensive workloads like gaming and advanced photography reveal limitations.
Key Features:
- Connectivity: 5G and Wi-Fi 7 support with a more stable Exynos 5400 modem.
- Energy Efficiency: Built on Samsung's 4nm process for better thermal efficiency and battery life.
- CPU: 8-core architecture:
- 1 × Cortex-X4 at 3.1 GHz – high-performance core
- 3 × Cortex-A720 at 2.6 GHz – performance cores
- 4 × Cortex-A520 at 1.92 GHz – efficiency cores
- GPU: ARM Mali-G715 MP7 with 6 cores for better (but still mid-range) gaming performance.
- RAM: Pixel 9 has 12GB; Pixel 9 Pro XL has 16GB RAM.
- Storage: Still at UFS 3.1 even on 256GB and 512GB variants — a long-term problem.
Benchmark Performance:
Although the Tensor G4 takes incremental steps, it lags behind competition like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and Apple's A18 Pro in benchmarks and gaming:
| Category | Vivo X100 Ultra | Pixel 9 Pro XL | Pixel 9 | Pixel 8 Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCMark Work 3.0 (Overall) | 14899 | 13028 | 12907 | 12478 |
| Web Browsing | 11497 | 10322 | 9150 | 11575 |
| Video Editing | 6278 | 7606 | 7364 | 7356 |
| Writing | 22368 | 15582 | 15399 | 13976 |
| Photo Editing | 32759 | 19293 | 20133 | 18901 |
| Geekbench 6 (Single-Core) | 2174 | 1895 | 1210 | 883 |
| Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core) | 6375 | 4111 | 3298 | 2748 |
| 3DMark Wild Life Extreme (Score) | 4677 | 2483 | 2588 | 2251 |
| 3DMark Wild Life Extreme (FPS) | 28.01 | 14.86 | 15.5 | 13.48 |
Tensor G4 advantages:
- AI Integration: Created to maximize on-device machine learning for driving features like real-time transcription, voice typing, and improved photography.
- Thermal Efficiency: The Pixel 9 Pro XL features a vapor chamber for better cooling, avoiding overheating — an improvement compared to previous Pixel generations.
- Software Synergy: Optimized for Pixel-only features with prolonged software support and Google AI updates.
Limitations & Considerations:
- Gaming: Tensor G4 is lacking in high-end gaming and lacks GPU brawn found in Snapdragon-flagship phones.
- Thermal Throttling: Gradual slow-downs in sustained tasks — fairly noticeable without the vapor chamber on the stock Pixel 9.
- Storage Tech: No UFS 4.0 — a consideration for users eagerly awaiting read/write speeds in the future.
- Camera Delays: Despite quality photo ability, portrait photo saves are slower than on other high-end devices.
Is the Pixel 9 Worth Buying
When used for extended periods, the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro XL are clear upgrades in terms of thermal efficiency and AI processing but fall short in gaming and outright performance. If gaming is your area of interest, other flagships might deliver more stability and performance. But if you are in Google's ecosystem, use AI capabilities, and require long-term support, the Pixel 9 series based on the Tensor G4 is still a good buy in 2024.
Final Thoughts
The Tensor G4 doesn't change the game, but it provides incremental improvements across stability, AI output, and daily usability. Its biggest benefit remains the seamless experience across Google services — not raw speed. For most consumers, that's a fair trade.
