# Google chose Tensor chips to power Pixel AI features and reduce reliance on Qualcomm

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/why-did-google-pixels-stop-using-snapdragon-chips/
- Published: 2026-11-15T14:15:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-15T14:47:37+00:00
- Original publisher: Engadget
- Original article: https://www.engadget.com/2313685/why-google-pixel-stop-using-snapdragon/
- Topics: Gadgets, Technology

## Key points

- Google chose Tensor to tailor Pixel phones to its AI features.
- The G6 is claimed to deliver 50 per cent more TPU computing power.
- Snapdragon remains faster in CPU and graphics tests.

## Summary

Google replaced Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chips with its own Tensor platform in the Pixel 6 in 2021, aiming to run speech recognition, translation and computational photography directly on the phone. The move lets Google shape hardware around its AI models, including Gemini, while reducing its reliance on cloud processing and costly third-party chips.

Tensor’s first four generations were heavily based on Samsung’s Exynos designs; Google shifted to its own chip design with the Tensor G5, made by TSMC, and the G6 continues that approach. Google says the G6 offers 50 per cent more TPU computing power than the G5, while independent testing found the G5 substantially behind Qualcomm’s leading chip in CPU and graphics performance. Tensor also helps Google avoid the reported $240 to $280 cost of a current top Snapdragon phone chip, but Google still uses Qualcomm silicon in products such as the Pixel Watch 5.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.