DiscoverAll Things PixelGoogle AIPixel CameraHelp at HomeWellnessPodcastReviews & AwardsGift Guide
Google Tensor: the brains behind Pixel phones.
Designed by Google, the chip helps Pixel take better pictures, supercharge your productivity, and so much more.

Google Tensor, the custom-built chip that powers Google AI on Pixel phones, pushes the boundaries of creativity and productivity on a smartphone.

Tensor helps bring the latest innovations from Google to your Pixel phone first: the transformative power of generative AI, innovative and high-quality photos and video, powerful security and performance, and more. 

Pixel is the only phone engineered by Google and built with a unique combination of hardware, software, and AI from Google in a custom-designed chip. This makes Pixel more helpful, more personal, and more adaptable to you.2

And because many of the AI innovations on Pixel run on your device through Tensor, they work quickly and privately – and don’t require an internet connection.3

There’s more good news: Tensor keeps getting better with each generation. Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold are equipped with Google’s fourth-generation chip. Tensor G4 improves fundamentals like battery life and performance – for example, on average it’s 20% faster browsing the web and 17% faster opening apps than Tensor G3. It’s also more power efficient for taking photos, shooting video, and streaming YouTube content, so you can do more between charges.4 And it unlocks new, Pixel-exclusive features you’re sure to love.

The newest Pixel 9 phones, powered by Tensor G4, will also be the first to run Gemini Nano with Multimodality, the latest on-device AI model from Google, to help your phone understand not just text input, but also image, audio, and speech.

What is Tensor and how does it make smartphones more helpful?

Tensor is the system-on-chip processor co-designed with the Google DeepMind team, which is at the forefront of the latest innovations in machine learning and generative AI. Tensor was conceptualized in 2016 and first integrated on Pixel 6 in 2021. Tensor plays a key role in optimizing large AI models for mobile devices, so Pixel can continue to have the latest innovations, like instantly translating messages and videos5 or summarizing a long audio recording without significant drains on battery.  

What can Google Tensor G4 do for me?

Tensor delivers the best of Google’s intelligence to Pixel first, including Gemini innovations, putting the most personal, helpful features right in your hand.

  • Take better photos and videos – The most visible examples of machine learning in action on your phone can be found in your photos and videos. With Tensor G4’s cutting-edge computational photography and image processing, your phone can now render more dynamic images, capture more details during zoom, and process sharper, higher-quality photos and videos. Oh, and solve many problems with our photos we’ve all just come to accept.

    For instance: Add Me. This feature lets you take the picture, and be in it, too. Take one photo with the group, then swap in the photographer. Pixel merges the photos together so everyone is included, using augmented reality and on-device AI with Google Tensor G4.6 Best Take is also a group photo problem solver, helping you find the best moment or choose everyone’s best expression to get a group picture that everyone loves.7 Google Tensor G4 helps bring other next-gen features to the Pixel 9 phones, like enhancements to Panorama mode and Super Res Zoom Video, so you can capture more details than ever before. 

  • Unlock creativity – Pixel Studio is a first-of-its-kind image generator that lets you create almost any image or artwork you can imagine just by typing your idea.8 By combining a text-to-image model in the cloud with an on-device diffusion model accelerated on Tensor G4, you can quickly edit and add captions to your creations even when you’re offline.

Elevate your experience with Gemini

Gemini and Tensor work together on Pixel, helping you get more done on the go.

Elevate your experience with Gemini

Gemini and Tensor work together on Pixel, helping you get more done on the go.

  • Enjoy better phone calls and get help recalling key details – Pixel’s Call Screen can now detect and filter out 50% more spam calls (on average) than before.9 Clear Calling’s on-device AI enhancements can help narrowband LTE calls sound better than ever on Pixel 9, while noise removal on wideband calls with Tensor G4 is 50% more efficient than Tensor G3 at launch, for improved battery life. And Call Notes privately summarizes a call and provides a transcript for you, so you’re free to concentrate on the conversation rather than take notes.10 This feature is completely private and runs entirely on-device thanks to Tensor G4, so your phone calls and summaries are never sent to the cloud. 

  • Communicate faster – Machine learning recognizes speech and turns it into text in real time through Live Caption. Tensor G4 also makes real-time language translation possible with Live Translate, either speech-to-text or directly to audio.5

  • Protect your data – There’s a separate core on the Google Tensor chip that’s set apart from the application processor, so sensitive tasks and controls run in an isolated environment, making them even more resilient to attacks. With Google Tensor G4 and the certified Titan M2™ security chip11, Pixel offers highest rated security features. 12 And Pixel 9 uses advanced machine learning models to deliver a secure Face Unlock13 that meets Android’s highest biometric standard class, making it strong enough for banking applications.

  • Organize and find the info you need from screenshots – With your permission, Pixel Screenshots on Pixel 9 phones saves info you want to remember later – like events, places, and more – and uses Gemini to help find what you need.14 The Tensor processors are jointly designed with Gemini Nano models so Pixel Screenshots runs quickly, privately and efficiently on-device to help your phone understand the content within a screenshot you’ve taken - and help you take action when you go back to it. 

  • Get seven years of security updates, Pixel Drops, and OS upgrades – Pixel phones will always be first to roll out the latest AI innovations from Google – that’s the advantage of having a phone, processing chip, and AI development under one roof.15

Takeaways
Tensor G4 brings Google’s most advanced AI, including Gemini,1 to Pixel’s latest phonesThis unlocks unique features that you can only get with Pixel for cutting-edge photos and videos, better calls, enhanced security, and more Tensor G4 is Pixel’s most powerful and efficient processor yet
Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL
All pro. Pure magic.
Related products
Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL
Pixel 9 Pro Fold
Pixel 9
Pixel 8a
Related stories
How an AI-powered camera can make everyone’s photos better. 4 ways that Gemini can supercharge your ideas. Make your photos pop with Magic Editor.
Share this article
Read on
All Things Pixel
December Pixel Drop: New features for your Pixel phone, Tablet and more
Partnerships
Make your way to the Bay.
Google AI
Google Pixel with Gemini Live
All Things Pixel
A little help finding a helpful gift.
  1. Gemini mobile app is available in select languages and countries. Internet connection required. Check responses for accuracy.

  2. Compared to earlier Pixel phones.

  3. Internet connection required during setup only.

  4. Compared to Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. Based on internal testing of pre-production devices.

  5. Not available in all languages or countries. Not available on all media or apps. See g.co/pixel/livetranslate for more information. Translation may not be instantaneous.

  6. Results may vary. Not available for all cameras, apps, or modes.

  7. Not available for all cameras, apps, or modes.

  8. Results may vary. Not available in all countries or languages.

  9. Compared to earlier version of Call Screen. Based on internal benchmarking data of users using the default level of protection. Enhancement available only in English in the US. See g.co/pixel/callassist for details.

  10. Works on calls at least 30 seconds long. Not available in all languages or countries.

  11. Common Criteria certification for hardware and cryptographic library. See g.co/pixel/certifications for details.

  12. Based on third-party global research firm report. Evaluation considered features that may not be available in all countries. See goo.gle/mobilesecurity for more information.

  13. Requires compatible apps. Biometric class based on the Android Compatibility Definition Document.

  14. Not available in all countries or languages.

  15. Pixel updates for 7 years from when the device first became available on the Google Store in the US. See g.co/pixel/updates for details.