Google Pixel 8's Tensor G3 GPU tests show weak performance but decent efficiency

Salamendacious@lemmy.world to Technology@lemmy.world – 107 points – Google Pixel 8's Tensor G3 GPU tests show weak performance but decent efficiency
m.gsmarena.com

Google teamed up with Samsung once again to build the Tensor G3, the chipset that powers the new Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. It comes out of Samsung’s 4nm foundries and features a 9-core CPU (1x Cortex-X3 + 4x A715 + 4x A510) and an ARM Mali-G715 GPU.

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Woah, so that's nearly half the FPS compared to SD8Gen2, and about 3/4th of Gen1. :/

Funny how one of the criticisms against the Xiaomi 13T Pro I posted about a few days ago was the Dimensity 9200+ SOC.

I've never heard anybody complain about the SOC in Pixel phones.

Yet the Dimensity 9200+ SOC in the Xiaomi 13T Pro is way faster and more efficient than Tensor G2 in the Pixel 7, and remains faster and more efficient than Tensor G3 in the Pixel 8. In fact it's only beat by Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 on Android.

"except for the SOC" https://lemmy.world/post/6513457 Top comment, 9 upvotes?

But no one comments about the way weaker SOC for the Pixel phone?!?!

https://lemmy.world/post/6286959?scrollToComments=true

So a slightly weaker SOC in the Xiaomi 13T Pro than the absolute best in any Android phone is worse, than a way worse SOC in the Pixel 8 Pro that is way more expensive?

The Pixel 8 Pro Tensor G3 doesn't even match the 2 years older Snapdragon 8 gen 1 which came out in q4 2021.

There are a multitude of reasons I personally wouldn't buy a Xiaomi, most notable of which is data security concerns. But the SOC performance isn't one of them.

I wonder if you got hit with a little corporate astroturfing? I doubt there are many corps on Lemmy yet but if your post is findable by a search engine it's only a matter of time before they arrive, if they haven't already.

Yes I understand some may have security concerns, we debated that too, that's not the point here. The point was specifically the criticism of the SOC, which IMO is absolutely stellar.

I'm surprised there is absolutely zero criticism in a major thread on the Pixel 8 here with 145 posts. When the Tensor chips are clearly worse on both speed and efficiency? Considering how much attention the issue got regarding the Xiaomi 13T Pro, despite it's both cheaper and has a way better SOC.

Maybe astroturfing is an issue, but it is illegal in almost all countries, so I hope not.

Maybe bad perception? Mediatek for a long time produced a bunch of cheap chips. Kinda like if UniSoc produced a Snapdragon 8 G2 killer, I think plenty will be sceptical, me included.

Please just use snapdragon and I’ll buy a pixel

They won't. They used to do that prior to the 6. They are able to offer longer support and they claim more features (AI and camera mostly I think) this way.

Why, what's wrong with their chip - genuine question? Something can only get better through iterative design and refinement.

I don't care about gaming performance on a phone, but battery life in Pixel 7 have been worse than in competitors like Galaxy S23.

I would never believe that in my entire life. Samsung batteries are the worst, they die quickly and have short lifespans, not to mention they expand and blow up of you don't use your device.

Exynos Samsung batteries. Tensor is based on Exynos, and S23 has only Qualcomm variant. That's why Pixel 7 drains battery faster than S23.

This Tensor G3 chip doesn't even match the 2 years older Snapdragon 8 gen 1 from 2021.

There are cheaper phones with way better SOC like the new Dimensity 9200+ Which is both faster and more efficient.

The Pixel Phone is a cool phone in some ways, but the SOC absolutely isn't on par with what other companies have. At best it would be ranked fourth after Apple, Qualcomm and Mediatek who are all way ahead.

Better at what though. I think it's all relative. I've had no set backs I can ever think of using my Pixels. Image processing I guess could be quicker, but is that really a deal breaker?

Either faster or more power efficient. Compared to the Pixel 8 Pro / Tensor G3, there are options that are better at both.

Performance I don't give a shit.

But efficiency I care a lot especially in a laptop. Much more on the phone.

Pixel 5 with a 3 year old mid range SoC can run android 14 UI at 90 FPS pretty much fine.

That's a perspective I didn't consider

Yeah so for Pixel 8 you just need a bit more for 120Hz instead of 90Hz.

A different story is for gaming. But for mobile gaming I'm more a fan of Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch. Devices that have higher TDP.

Google really wrestles with either making the Pixel a flagship phone or a cheap and cheerful mass market model and it shows. Their last few attempts seem to end up with something that is a mushy pile of “okay”

Recently they've been making a pro, a regular, and an "A" version of their phones. I think pixel should be the premium line and they should alternate regular and pro models every other year. Then create a lower spec cheaper model, under new branding, that comes out every three years. Maybe bring back the Nexus line.