These days, it’s not uncommon for smartphone makers to try their hand at manufacturing their own chips. By keeping device components in-house, OEMs maintain more control over their products — and that affords them the ability to do things likeguaranteeing seven years of software support. Google has already been going this route, developing its own Tensor chip with a focus on neural processing for AI tasks, as seen in Pixel devices. When thePixel Folddebuted in 2023, it featured a Tensor G2 chip. Now that the company is working on a second iteration of the foldable, rumors suggest that it may not be the Tensor G3 powering the device.
An anonymous source has reached out toAndroid Authority, claiming that Google has been testing itsPixel Fold 2with a Tensor G4 chip, currently going by the codename “zumapro.” In fact, the phone has undergone testing for months up to this point. If that codename sounds familiar, its because the Tensor G3 was nicknamed “zuma” in production, implying a small change between the two SoCs. While the Pixel Fold’s successor was originally being piloted with the Tensor G3, Android Authority’s source says that Google has pivoted to the Tensor G4.
The upcoming Pixel Fold 2 is supposedly still far from being launched, to the point that it may not be announced at the I/O 2024 event this spring. Rumors claim that the device is still in the Engineering Validation Test phase, which is several steps removed from the Mass Production phase. The report went on to add that, if Google is able to launch the device at I/O, it could still ship with a Tensor G3 — but if a late summer or fall release is in the cards, Tensor G4 would be more likely.
Regardless of when it launches, the Pixel Fold 2 is still expected to be a strong competitor in the growing foldables market. Samsung has set the tone for the segment with its Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip devices. With its foldable and flip designs, the tech giant has capitalized on nostalgia and helped create hype along the way. If the Pixel Fold 2gets a new sibling with a clamshell design, it could rival Samsung’s next Galaxy Z Flip phone.
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If the Pixel Fold 2 does feature the Tensor G4, however, it may not be without help from Samsung. Rumors claim thatGoogle has tapped its competitorto help with the chip as it continues gearing up for afully-custom Tensor chip built by TSMC, which is now expected with the Tensor G5 in 2025. In the end, the G4 is predicted to have Cortex-X4 CPU, the Immortalis-G715 GPU, and Cortex-A720 and Cortex-A520 CPU cores. The company would also use the SF4P process that has been used for previous Samsung phones. All of this being said, none of these rumors have been confirmed by either company — it may just be in your best interest to wait before deciding to go with any foldable or flip phone for the time being.
