Google has launched its latest flagship Pixel 9 series, which features the Tensor G4 chipset. The Google Tensor G4 is said to be a small upgrade over last year’s Tensor G3. So to gauge its performance gains, we’ve benchmarked the Tensor G4 on Geekbench, 3DMark, AnTuTu, and many other tests in this guide.
Google Tensor G4 Specifications
Before we look at the numbers, take a quick look at the Tensor G4’s specs below:
| Specifications | Tensor G4 |
|---|---|
| Processor | Eight-core processor (1+3+4) |
| Processor Cores | 1 x 3.10 GHz (Cortex-X4) 3 x 2.60 GHz (Cortex-A720) 4 x 1.95 GHz (Cortex-A520) |
| Process technology | Samsung’s 4nm |
| GPU | Mali-G715 MC7 GPU Up to 940 MHz |
| Machine Learning and AI | Google’s custom TPU (codenamed Rio) |
| ISP | Google’s custom DSP (codenamed Callisto) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 7Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Modem | Samsung Exynos 5400 5G Modem Up to 14.79 Gbps peak download SOS via satellite |
| Others | AV1 Encoder and DecoderTitan M2 Security ChipUltra-wideband ChipNavIC |
Tensor G4: Geekbench 6 processor
In the Geekbench 6 CPU test, the Google Tensor G4 scored 1,897 in single-core tasks and 3,721 in multi-core tasks. The CPU score is extremely low, even lower than the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3, a mid-range Qualcomm processor.
We ran the Geekbench test multiple times to make sure our results weren’t flawed. However, each time the score was even lower than the one shown below.
Despite the integration of the latest ARM cores, the multi-core processor score I couldn’t even get past the 4,000 mark.. And mind you, this is for the larger Pixel 9 Pro XL which has a vapor cooling chamber for proper cooling. The numbers on the standard Pixel 9 will be even lower. In all likelihood, the culprit appears to be Samsung’s older 4nm process node.
It seems that Google has not opted for Samsung’s improved 4LPP+ process node and FOWLP packaging for the Tensor G4. Additionally, Google is heavily underclocking the processor to keep temperatures under control and maintain good battery life. I say this because there is no way the chipset could achieve such a low score despite the main core clocking up to 3.10 GHz.
During testing, the device temperature remained below 37 degrees C, which means that performance is compromised by battery life. In conclusion, the Tensor G4’s processor cannot deliver optimal performance or handle sustained workloads beyond the first few minutes.
| Geekbench 6 Processor | G4 Tensor |
|---|---|
| Single core | 1,897 |
| Multi-core | 3,721 |
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Tensor G4: AnTuTu benchmark
Next up, the Google Tensor G4 got 1,253,407 points in the AnTuTu benchmark test. Again, the score is unusually low for a processor that is supposed to power a flagship smartphone. In the AnTuTu CPU test, it only scores 337,131 points, and the 7-core Mali-G715 GPU manages to score 444,488 points.
What’s more disappointing is that Google has chosen to include the older-generation UFS 3.1 storage on the Pixel 9 series, which is much slower than the UFS 4.0 storage. In the AnTuTu storage test, it only scores 82,120 points.
| AnTuTu Reference | G4 Tensor |
|---|---|
| AnTuTu Score | 1,253,407 |
| Processor | 337 131 |
| GPU | 444 488 |
| Memory | 243 643 |
| UX | 228 145 |
| Storage | 82 120 |
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Tensor G4: CPU Throttling Test
In the CPU throttling test, the numbers we see above become much more evident. We ran the test several times to determine how the CPU behaves. In the first test, the CPU limited to 71% (the higher the better) of its maximum performance, and it only managed to get 42% in the second test. Both tests lasted 15 minutes.
The Pixel 9 series starts throttling the Google Tensor G4 processor right from the start, and only if temperatures are under control does it manage to run at a slightly higher clock speed. Simply put, the Tensor G4 processor is not designed for sustained peak performance.
Tensor G4: 3DMark Extreme Wildlife Stress Test
As for the GPU, we ran 3DMark’s Wild Life Extreme Stress test to evaluate the 7-core ARM Mali-G715 GPU on the Tensor G4. Google again chose to keep the same GPU since last year, although the GPU frequency has been increased from 890 MHz to 940 MHz.
In our testing, the GPU achieved a best loop score of 2,590 and a lowest loop score of 1,525. stability stood at a dismal 58.9%. And the temperature during the GPU stress test hovered around 42 degrees C. Therefore, the Tensor G4’s GPU is decidedly weak, and that’s on Google.
| 3DMark Wild Life Extreme Stress Test | G4 Tensor |
|---|---|
| Best loop score | 2,590 |
| Lowest loop score | 1,525 |
| Stability | 58.9% |
Tensor G4: Geekbench AI
To test the NPU, or what Google calls TPU, we ran the new Geekbench AI benchmark on the Tensor G4. By the way, the TPU on the Tensor G4 is also the same as last year’s Tensor G3. The TPU, running on the TensorFlow Lite framework, marked only 289 points in the simple accuracy test.
| Geekbench AI | Tensor G4 Processor | Tensor G4 GPU | G4 TPU/NPU Tensor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple Accuracy Score | 1,883 | 720 | 289 |
| Half-accuracy score | 1,837 | 825 | 4 145 |
| Quantified score | 2,899 | 772 | 6 103 |
To give you an idea of how poor the score is, Apple’s A17 Pro scored 3,930 in the same test using its Neural Engine. You can check out the GPU’s score on AI workloads below, which is again pitifully low. AI inference on the CPU, however, yields respectable numbers, but again, the competition is almost 2-3x faster.
Tensor G4: 5G speed test
Finally, in the 5G speed test, the new Samsung Exynos 5400 modem managed to achieve Maximum download speed of 174.8 Mbps and maximum download speeds of 35.1 Mbps. We ran several 5G speed tests and the modem was very erratic. Sometimes the modem worked fine and often the speeds dropped by half.
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Tensor G4: The Verdict
On paper, the latest Google Tensor G4 packs the latest ARM cores, and the CPU cores are clocked at an average speed. However, Google’s orchestration between the OS and the CPU is very (very very very) conservative. The phone heavily underclocks the CPU to keep the Pixel 9 phones cool and preserve battery life, but this significantly compromises performance.
GPU performance and stability are also poor. The inclusion of older UFS 3.1 storage is another disappointment. Not to mention that it also features the latest generation TPU. The only compensating factor is the upgraded Exynos 5400 modem, which again delivers spotty speeds.
I understand that benchmark numbers don’t tell the whole story. However, when you’re paying over a thousand dollars ($1,490 in India, converted from INR to USD), you expect the phone to come with at least a competitive processor.
In my opinion, the Google Tensor G4 is not a flagship processor by any means. It looks like we’ll have to wait another year for Google to fix its silicon (or maybe not). Are you already using the Pixel 9 or 9 Pro phone? What has your experience with the phone been so far? Let us know in the comments below.
