Google is powering the Pixel 11 series with its new Tensor G6 processor and the company calls it the Pixel's fastest and most powerful chip yet. This is the most interesting Tensor chip in years as it packs a brand-new CPU (built on 2nm process) and a new MediaTek modem. On the other side, we have the flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip by Qualcomm. Let's now see how the Tensor G6 stacks up against the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5.
Tensor G6 vs Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5: CPU
In the CPU department, the Tensor G6 has made great progress this year. While Google is packing an unusual 7-core layout, it brings Arm's latest C1-series cores. The Tensor G6 features a single Arm C1-Ultra core clocked at 4.11GHz, four C1-Pro cores at 3.38GHz and two more C1-Pro cores at 2.65GHz.
These are Arm's newest Lumex cores based on the Armv9.3-A architecture. Instead of using the older Cortex-X925 core, Google has moved to the C1 cluster directly. Now, the Tensor G6 has the same CPU cores as MediaTek's top-of-the-line Dimensity 9500 chip and Samsung's Exynos 2600 processor.
Overall, Google says the Tensor G6 is 25% faster at web browsing, 15% faster at app loading and up to 20% more power-efficient than the Tensor G5.
On the other hand, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 packs eight custom Oryon v3 cores in a 2+6 layout. Two Prime cores are clocked at 4.60GHz and six Performance cores at 3.62GHz. In our Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 benchmark, it scored 3,588 in Geekbench single-core and 10,207 in multi-core.
While Arm's C1 cores are slightly behind Qualcomm's Oryon v3 cores, they are still very capable. If we look at the Dimensity 9500's benchmark numbers, it scored 3,315 in single-core and 9,914 in multi-core.
While I don't expect the Tensor G6 to match Dimensity 9500's CPU performance, it will be more competitive this year and may give a respectable competition to the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 in the CPU segment.
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Tensor G6 vs Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5: GPU
In the GPU department, things are a bit disappointing. The Tensor G6 uses a PowerVR CXTP-48-1536 GPU which is derived from the older C-Series GPU and its design dates back to 2021. The Tensor G5 already packed the newer D-Series DXT-48-1536 GPU, so in terms of graphics performance, it looks like a downgrade. That said, we may finally get ray tracing support this year.
As far as GPU performance is concerned, it has always been the Pixel's weak spot and in our Tensor G5 benchmark testing, its GPU managed just 382,578 points on AnTuTu.
Meanwhile, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is in a different league when it comes to graphics performance. The Adreno 840 comes with a sliced architecture, which runs at 1.2GHz with an 18MB High Performance Memory cache. It also has support for hardware ray tracing and Unreal Engine 5.
In our Tensor G5 vs Snapdragon 8 Elite comparison, Qualcomm's GPU was ahead by over 3x which is crazy and it looks like the Tensor G6 is not going to reduce the wide gap.
That said, the Adreno 840 does get hot and its stability is reduced under sustained load. A cooler-running Pixel 11 could offer modest graphics performance more consistently, which is good for day-to-day usage, but not for heavy gaming.
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Tensor G6 vs Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5: Modem and AI
The Tensor G6 has dropped Samsung's Exynos modem and went for the MediaTek M90 5G modem. This is the first time Google has moved away from an Exynos modem, which should improve reception and battery life on the Pixel 11 series.
There is also a new Titan M3 security coprocessor which offers stronger on-device protection. Google also says the upgraded TPU brings 50% more computing power and 2x the memory bandwidth to run Google's latest Gemini Nano model. The ISP is new too and it adds a Custom Video Portrait Engine for the camera.
On the other hand, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 packs the top-tier Snapdragon X85 5G modem, which can go up to 12.5Gbps in download speed. There is also a Hexagon NPU that is around 37% faster than before. It terms of connectivity and on-device AI performance, Qualcomm has always been ahead, but Google is focusing on its tight software and AI experience.
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Tensor G6 vs Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5: Specs Comparison
| Specification | Tensor G6 | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Process Node | TSMC 2nm | TSMC 3nm (N3P) |
| CPU | 7-core, Arm C1 (Armv9.3-A) | 8-core, 3rd-gen Qualcomm Oryon |
| CPU Cores | 1x C1-Ultra at 4.11GHz, 4x C1-Pro at 3.38GHz, 2x C1-Pro at 2.65GHz | 2x Prime Oryon v3 at 4.60GHz, 6x Performance Oryon v3 at 3.62GHz |
| GPU | Imagination PowerVR CXTP-48-1536 | Adreno 840 at 1.2GHz with 18MB HPM cache |
| NPU | New Google TPU, 50% more compute, 2x memory bandwidth | Hexagon NPU, around 37% faster |
| ISP | Custom Google ISP with Video Portrait Engine | Triple 20-bit Qualcomm Spectra ISP |
| Storage and Memory | LPDDR5X, UFS 4.0 | LPDDR5X at 5300MHz, UFS 4.1 |
| Modem | MediaTek M90 | Snapdragon X85 5G, up to 12.5Gbps peak download speed |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0 | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, UWB |
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Verdict
As we went through the comparison, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is the clear winner here and it's not a close fight. Qualcomm has a decisive lead in nearly all categories including a night-and-day difference in GPU performance.
If you don't want to compromise on raw horsepower and gaming performance, buy a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 phone without any second thoughts.
That said, the Tensor G6 is the most competitive Tensor chip yet and this year, there have been substantial upgrades. The C1 cores bring CPU performance into premium category for the first time and the MediaTek modem should finally fix the efficiency and battery problems that have affected every Pixel.
To sum up, Google has designed a chip that feels fast, runs cool and powers its AI features well. And on those counts, the Tensor G6 has made great strides.
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