The honeymoon phase for the Google Pixel 9 series might be ending early for mobile gamers. A test by Dame Tech reveals that the new Tensor G4 processor underperforms in Genshin Impact, lagging behind its predecessor, the Tensor G2, found in the Pixel 7 series.
Although Google has stated that the Tensor G4 prioritizes AI performance over raw benchmarks, concerns are growing as the chipset struggles with this popular, demanding mobile game.
Dame Tech’s tests focused on Genshin Impact, pushing the Pixel 9 Pro XL to its limits with the highest possible visual settings. The results were disappointing for Pixel fans: the Tensor G4 managed an average frame rate (FPS) of 39.2, a noticeable drop from the Pixel 7 Pro’s 45.3 FPS achieved with the older Tensor G2.
Interestingly, the Pixel 9 Pro XL maintained cooler temperatures during the test. The phone peaked at 37 degrees Celsius, while the Pixel 7 Pro reached a hotter 42 degrees Celsius. This suggests that throttling (performance reduction due to heat) isn’t the cause of the lower FPS.
According to Dame Tech, the likely issue is optimization. Genshin Impact, known for its demanding graphics, may not be fully optimized for the Pixel 9’s new hardware. This could explain the performance gap despite the cooler operation.
The gap becomes even more pronounced when compared to current flagship devices: the ROG Phone 8 Pro averages a stellar 61.1 FPS, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max and Galaxy S24 Ultra achieve 59.2 FPS and 51.4 FPS, respectively.
While Google prioritizes AI performance, it’s clear that further optimization is needed for the Tensor G4 in other areas. However, it’s important to note that this SoC is not designed for gaming, so it’s unlikely that gamers would choose the Pixel 9 over other current flagships in the first place.
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