Contrary to recent speculation, the Tensor G6 in the new Google Pixel 11 is not manufactured using a 2-nm process, but rather uses an improved 3-nm process from TSMC. Peng Yu-chun, Vice President of Hardware at Google, confirmed this to the Taiwanese news agency CNA. At the launch event, Google had left the exact manufacturing process unspecified, which is why the 2-nm rumors of the past few months persisted.
In summary:
- Google confirmed at an event in Taiwan that the Tensor G6 is manufactured using TSMC’s improved 3-nm process, not 2 nm as previously suspected
- The statement comes from Peng Yu-chun, VP of Hardware at Google, in an interview with the CNA news agency
- Despite the manufacturing process remaining the same, Google promises 25 percent faster web browsing, 15 percent faster app launches, and 50 percent more TPU performance
- The Tensor G6 is featured in the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL, and Pixel 11 Pro Fold
- Samsung’s Exynos 2600 already uses a 2-nm process, and Apple’s A20—expected in 2026 for the iPhone 18 Pro—is set to follow suit
What Google has now confirmed
In our report on the Pixel 11 Pro XL launch, we initially cited 2 nm as the manufacturing process, based on numerous leaks from the past few months. We hereby correct that statement: According to Peng Yu-chun, Google is still relying on 3 nm for the Tensor G6, but is using a revised version of the process with which TSMC has improved efficiency and transistor density compared to last year.
This confirms what Android Authority had already suspected after a Chinese-language translation of Peng’s statement caused some confusion. The key message, however, remained the same across all translations: no 2-nm chip.
Tensor G6: Google’s Promise of Improved Performance
Even without the hoped-for leap to 2 nm, Google cites tangible improvements for the Tensor G6 compared to the Tensor G5 in the Pixel 10:
- 25 percent faster web browsing
- 15 percent faster app launches
- 50 percent more computing power in the Tensor Processing Unit (TPU) for AI tasks
- A redesigned Image Signal Processor for faster low-light photography and better digital zoom
- An updated Titan M3 security chip
A Geekbench leak prior to the official launch had already hinted at just how significant the leap in GPU performance could be: about 80 percent more computing power in the Compute test compared to the Tensor G5. In terms of pure CPU performance, the increase is likely to be more moderate, as Google focused primarily on efficiency and AI acceleration with the Tensor G6 rather than raw clock speeds.
3 nm Instead of 2 nm: Why This Isn’t a Step Back
The fact that the Tensor G6 sticks with 3 nm might initially sound like a missed opportunity. The Tensor G5 in the Pixel 10 was already manufactured by TSMC using the 3-nm process, so a true node leap would have been the first in several generations. However, the word “enhanced” is key: Within its 3-nm family, TSMC offers several variants with different transistor densities and energy efficiencies, and Google is apparently using a newer variant for the Tensor G6 than it did for the G5.
One reason for this conservative choice is likely economic: a newer manufacturing process is more expensive, and according to reports, Google is trying to offset rising DRAM prices through software and memory optimizations rather than a complete chip overhaul. So anyone who was hoping for a radical leap in efficiency with the Pixel 11 is likely to be somewhat disappointed. However, those simply looking for a solid, reliable upgrade will still get noticeably faster performance with the mentioned 25 to 50 percent boost.
Tensor G6 Compared to the Competition
| Chip | Manufacturer | Manufacturing Process | Used in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Tensor G6 | TSMC | 3 nm (enhanced) | Pixel 11 Series |
| Google Tensor G5 | TSMC | 3 nm | Pixel 10 Series |
| Samsung Exynos 2600 | Samsung Foundry | 2 nm | Galaxy S26 (select markets) |
| Apple A20 (expected) | TSMC | 2 nm (planned) | iPhone 18 Pro |
With the Exynos 2600, Samsung is currently the first smartphone manufacturer to commercially release a 2-nm chip, while Apple and Google will follow suit with their next-generation models. Qualcomm has not yet unveiled a 2-nm Snapdragon either.
Which Pixel 11 models will feature the Tensor G6
The Tensor G6 is featured in the entire current Pixel 11 lineup: the standard Pixel 11, the Pixel 11 Pro, the Pixel 11 Pro XL, and the foldable Pixel 11 Pro Fold. According to recent leaks, the more affordable Pixel 11a—expected in 2027—is also set to feature the same chip. For those looking for a matching smartwatch, Google also unveiled the new Pixel Watch 5 at the same event.
Why the clarification comes from Taiwan of all places
Peng Yu-chun’s statement was no coincidence—it came during a meeting in Taiwan. For Google, the country has become the largest hardware and AI infrastructure development hub outside the U.S., in part because TSMC, its most important manufacturing partner, is headquartered there. Consequently, direct inquiries from Taiwanese media about Google chips often reach high-ranking Google representatives on the ground even before U.S. media outlets issue official statements.
Conclusion
Technically speaking, the Tensor G6 remains closer to its predecessor than the rumors of recent months had suggested. For users, this is likely to be of secondary importance in the end: What matters are the 25 percent faster browsing, 50 percent more TPU performance, and the new generation of ISP for the camera and night mode that Google has promised. Whether these figures hold up in everyday use will only become clear after extensive testing of the individual Pixel 11 models. One thing is already certain: Anyone who had a 2-nm chip in mind as a selling point for the Pixel 11 should adjust those expectations.
Sources: CNA
