Google had introduced the first developer preview version of Android 15, and despite being the initial release of Android 15, it brought along some intriguing features. However, the Pixel 5 series devices did not receive the Android 15 update. Since Pixel 5 devices won’t get official software support anymore, it might be impossible to port GCam app on non-Pixel Android devices. The oldest Pixel devices to receive the Android 15 update belong to the Pixel 6 series, and these devices come with the Tensor chipset, Google’s own custom chipset.
Google currently doesn’t support any Snapdragon powered Pixel
Google introduced the Pixel 5 in 2020, and software update support officially just ended in 2024. Pixel 5 is a unique phone as it features the last Snapdragon chipset offered by Google. Google’s modern devices, Pixel 6 and newer ones come with the custom Tensor CPU.
After introducing their own chipset, Google now has full control over the processor, something that was not possible with Snapdragon chipsets before. Google may require exclusive Pixel features to work only with a Tensor processor, making it potentially more challenging to use/port Pixel features on non-Pixel devices.
Additionally, Qualcomm DSP support might be removed from Google Camera, which is needed for processing images on Qualcomm chipsets. This means that even if the GCam application is ported to different devices, the image processing time may significantly increase making the GCam ports obsolete.
We are not claiming that all of these will happen, but it is now possible considering Google no longer officially supports any Snapdragon device. However, there is a bigger issue, and that is the poor performance of Tensor chipsets.
Despite Google making their own custom chipset since 2021, the Tensor CPUs still face significant challenges in terms of power and efficiency. Even today’s modern Tensor CPUs provide a performance similar to Qualcomm’s flagship processors introduced about three years ago. Modern smartphones have excellent battery life and beefy processing power; therefore, Google should either use Snapdragon chipsets again or Tensor needs to make substantial progress.
Related:
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- Here’s your first look at the Google Pixel Fold 2 3D renders
- Android 15’s “Notification Cooldown” tackles notification overload
- Google starts rolling out the first Android 15 Developer Preview
- Pixel Phones Get Android 14 QPR2 Beta 3.1 Update
