Jun 20, 2025 12:25:00

Reports that Google's switch from Samsung to TSMC for the Tensor G5 chip in the Pixel 10 series was a 'shock' to Samsung

Google's proprietary chip '

Google Tensor ' installed in the Google Pixel series has been manufactured by Samsung's foundry until now. However, it is expected that the chip installed in the 'Pixel 10' series scheduled to be released in 2025 will be manufactured by TSMC instead of Samsung, and this was received as a shock to Samsung, which has built a partnership with Google for many years, according to Korean media.

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https://www.thebell.co.kr/free/content/ArticleView.asp?key=202506181426535920105882

Google shift to TSMC for Pixel 10 chip was a 'shock' to Samsung

https://9to5google.com/2025/06/18/google-tsmc-pixel-10-chip-samsung-shock-report/

Samsung has long been collaborating with Google in the field of application processors. It has been responsible for manufacturing the Tensor chips installed in the Pixel 6 series released in 2021, and has continued to cooperate through successive generations. However, Samsung's decline in yields for 3nm process chips is said to have influenced Google's decision to switch to TSMC.

Yield refers to the ratio of the finished product to the amount of materials used, and according to reports, Samsung's 3nm process yield is about 50%, while TSMC's is said to be 90%. In addition, due to a shortage of semiconductor design assets, Samsung may not have been able to meet the diversifying performance and functions required by Google, according to Korean media The Bell.

Market research firm Trendfoss compiled global foundry market share for the first quarter of 2025 and found that Samsung's share was 7.7%, down from 8.1% in the fourth quarter of 2024. Meanwhile, during the same period, TSMC's share increased from 67.1% to 67.6%, and Samsung is being overtaken by Chinese companies such as SMIC (6.0%) and UMC (4.7%).

According to The Bell, Samsung is shocked by Google's decision and is focusing on efforts to restore the competitiveness of its foundries. A semiconductor industry source said, 'The loss of Google is a case in point of Samsung's complex problems. I've heard that there is a lot of discussion and consideration going on internally.'

In addition, Google has previously reported that the Tensor G5 to be installed in the Pixel 10 will use a MediaTek modem, but according to new reports , the Tensor G5 modem is expected to use the Samsung Exynos series as before, and will use the same baseband starting with 'g5400' as the 'Pixel 9' series. Technology media 9to5Google said, 'The Exynos modem is known to be one of the causes of the Google Pixel's heat problems in the Tensor era, but it should be noted that the Exynos 5400 has significantly improved these issues. The Pixel 9 series has significantly improved cooling performance compared to past Pixels, and it is likely that improvements in other parts of the Tensor G5 due to the transition to TSMC will make up the difference.'