Tensor G4: Google’s Power Move for Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro
Following its debut last May as Google’s inaugural foldable device, the Google Pixel Fold introduced consumers to the tech giant’s foray into the foldable smartphone arena. Fueled by the in-house Tensor G2 SoC, this book-style foldable showcased Google’s commitment to innovation in mobile technology. Now, anticipation mounts for the release of the Pixel Fold 2, positioned as a successor to its predecessor. Rumors abound regarding the Pixel Fold 2’s powerhouse, with reports suggesting that it will be driven by the Tensor G4 chipset, internally referred to as “zumapro”. Notably, this same chipset is expected to power the forthcoming flagship models, the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro, slated for an October release.
According to insights from Android Authority, Google is currently putting the Tensor G4 chip through its paces in testing for the Pixel Fold 2, under the codename “zumapro”, diverging from earlier plans to employ the Tensor G3. Initial prototypes of the foldable reportedly featured the Tensor G3 chipset, codenamed “zuma”.
With expectations high for the Pixel Fold 2’s performance prowess, the potential inclusion of the Tensor G4 chipset bodes well for its capabilities. If these speculations hold true, it suggests that the Pixel Fold 2 may debut alongside the Pixel 9 series in October, marking a departure from the May launch timeline observed with the original Pixel Fold.
The current prototypes of the Pixel Fold 2 reportedly carry 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB of UFS 4.0 storage. This is a notable improvement over last year’s Pixel Fold that packs 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage. The bump in onboard memory could make room for several on-device AI features as part of Pixie.
Google Pixel Fold was launched in May last year at the Google I/O 2023 event with a price tag of $1,799 (roughly Rs. 1,47,500) for the base variant with 256GB storage.
On the specification front, the Google Pixel Fold features a 7.6-inch inner display (1,840 x 2,208 pixels) with 120Hz refresh rate and a 5.8-inch full-HD+ (1,080×2,092 pixels) OLED outer display. It is powered by Google’s Tensor G2 SoC, coupled with a Titan M2 security chip and 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM.
The Pixel Fold carries a triple rear camera unit, comprising a 48-megapixel primary wide-angle lens, a 10.8-megapixel ultrawide camera, and a 10.8-megapixel dual PD telephoto lens. For selfies, there is a 9.5-megapixel sensor and an 8-megapixel inner selfie camera. Google has provided a 4,821mAh battery on the foldable with support for 30W charging and wireless charging.