Pixel 11’s Tensor G6 will reportedly use 2nm process at TSMC, no longer lagging behind

According to a new report, Google is planning to jump to TSMC’s 2nm process for Tensor G6 faster than it has in prior years.

The first Tensor chip in 2021’s Pixel 6 was built on a 5nm process at Samsung, with the following year’s Tensor G2 chip using the same process despite the same year’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 moving to a 4nm process. It took Google a year to catch up, with Tensor G3 being the first on a 4nm process, and the current Tensor G4 following suit despite current Qualcomm and MediaTek chips being built on a 3nm process. Google’s move to TSMC later this year with Tensor G5 will mark the transition to a 3nm process.

But, according to a new report, Google isn’t looking to lag behind next year.

It’s being reported (via analyst @dnystedt) that Google will leverage TSMC’s 2nm process for Tensor G6 on the Pixel 11 series in 2026. If true, that marks a shift in how Google has kept up with the competition, as even the next Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset is likely going to still be using a 3nm process. Somewhat unbelievably, that could mean that Google could beat its competitors to the punch in this regard, as a 2nm Snapdragon chip wouldn’t arrive until a few months after Tensor G6. Notably, though, there is word that Qualcomm might use TSMC for a 3nm version of the upcoming Snapdragon flagship, while Samsung may produce a 2nm version specific to Galaxy devices.

The focus, for now, should absolutely be on Google’s initial switch to TSMC’s 3nm process later this year with Tensor G5, but it’s interesting nonetheless to see that Google is looking for further advancements this quickly.

More on Google Tensor:

• Samsung’s panic over Google Pixel’s TSMC shift shows a company lost in the woods
• Report: Google’s switch to TSMC for Pixel 10 chip was a ‘shock’ and wake-up call for Samsung
• Pixel 10 will still use an Exynos modem rather than MediaTek in Tensor G5, leak shows

Follow Ben: Twitter/X, Threads, Bluesky, and Instagram

Add 9to5Google to your Google News feed.