The processor -- or rather the system on a chip (SoC) -- made by Google for the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro is Tensor, which they previously showed off, now leaked specifications.
When showing Tensor, Google did not explain the technical specifications at all. They're just touting the chip's AI capabilities.
"The standard thing that people are used to seeing will be very competitive and the AI capabilities will be highly differentiated," said Rick Osterloh, Google's hardware boss.
Previously, leaks had emerged regarding the GPU, namely the Mali-A78 used by Samsung in the Exynos 2100. Also the 5G modem chip made by Samsung is integrated in the Tensor.
But now a leak of technical specifications from Tensor has emerged, namely the composition of the cores for the CPU. Based on a report from XDA, which refers to Geekbench test results and information from someone who claims to have a Pixel 6 Pro, the composition of cores in Tensor is unique.
These are two high-performance Cortex-X1 2.802GHz cores, two 2.253GHz Cortex-A76 high-performance cores, and four Cortex-A55 power-saving cores.
This combination is unique, or perhaps it is more appropriate to call it strange. The oddity is the use of two Cortex-X1 cores. Why is it weird?
The Cortex-X1 was released by ARM in 2020 to allow chipmakers to improve their performance, with very fast clock speeds. With the use of two Cortex-X1, Tensor should be able to overtake chip performance from Qualcomm or Samsung (both use these cores in Snapdragon 888 and Exynos 2100).
However, this Cortex-X1 is paired with a Cortex-A76, which incidentally is an old school fast core. Two generations below the Cortex-A78 used in Snapdragon 888 and Exynos 2100 to accompany the Cortex-X1.
It seems there is no good reason to explain the use of this Cortex-A76. Considering the Cortex-A78 is clearly faster and more efficient than the A76.
Not to mention the possibility of overheating caused by the two X1 cores, because in Snapdragon 888, the X1 core is often referred to as a scapegoat for the excess heat generated. Even though only one X1 core is used in Snapdragon 888.
Indeed, Google could have disguised the composition of the cores used so that they are not visible on Geekbench. But the chances of that happening are very slim. For the exact information, we have to wait until Google actually releases the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro.
