Tensor G7 Must Close Performance Gap to Save Pixel 12

The Pixel 11 series has left Google facing a dilemma. The phones remain among the most enjoyable Android handsets to use, thanks largely to Google's software experience and features.

However, testing of the Tensor G6 shows that Google's custom silicon is falling behind rival flagship chips. Early gaming tests suggest a familiar litany of issues, including performance gaps that need to be closed.

The Tensor G7 needs to improve efficiency and provide a hardware foundation for AI features that are actually worth using. If not, Google risks reaching a point where the reasons to buy a Pixel rest on what the company did several years ago rather than what it's doing today.