Google Tensor vs Mediatek MT6735M vs Google Tensor G2

Google Tensor

The Google Tensor SoC (G1, first generation) is the first smartphone processor from Google. It is positioned as a high end SoC and focuses on the integrated TPU for efficient AI and ML calculations. The CPU part integrates two fast and big ARM Cortex X1 cores at up to 2.8 GHz. A second cluster integrates 2 mid range Cortex-A76 cores at up to 2.25 GHz. Finally, four small ARM Cortex-A55 cores with up to 1.8 GHz are integrated for efficiency purposes. All cores can access the shared 4 MB L3 cache. 

The successors of the Tensor SoC are the Tensor G2 and G3.

The chip also integrates a Titan M2 security processor and a ARM Mali G78 MP20 GPU. The chip is manufactured in the modern 5nm process.

Mediatek MT6735M

The 1.5 GHz MediaTek MT6735M is a 64-bit ARM-based SoC launched in mid 2015 primarily for small budget to mainstream Android devices. The quad-core processor is manufactured in 28 nm and is based on the Cortex-A53 architecture. It integrates a cat.4 LTE modem with CDMA2000 and an ARM Mali-720 GPU capable of decoding and encoding videos of up to 1080p30. Compared to the MT6732, the MT6735M utilizes a slower graphics unit. Compared to the similar MediaTek MT6735, the "M"-version is significantly lower clocked (only 1 versus 1.5 GHz).

Processor

The Cortex-A53 is the successor to the popular Cortex-A7 design. In addition to the jump from 32-bit to 64-bit architecture (ARMv8 ISA) to address more than 4 GB of memory, the new design offers better branch prediction and higher performance-to-power ratio that rivals the Cortex-A9. The four cores of the MT6732 are clocked at up to 1 GHz and therefore the MT6735M is significantly slower than other A53 SoCs that are usually clocked at 1.4 GHz and up.

The power-efficient processor is still suited for low demanding tasks like browsing and running light applications.

Graphics

The integrated single-core Mali-T720 is an entry-level GPU clocked at up to 450 MHz. Most Android games will play at acceptable frame rates on medium resolutions and quality.

Features

The MT6732M SoC integrates a memory controller (32-bit LPDDR3, 6.4 GB/s), multiple radios (WLAN, Bluetooth, GPS), and a cellular modem (GSM, UMTS, GPRS, HSPA+, HSUPA, TD-SCDMA, EVDO, and LTE Cat 4). Its integrated video engine allows for 1080p playback at 30 FPS. Cameras are supported up to 13 MP.

Google Tensor G2

The Google Tensor G2 SoC is a chip that was developed by Google and Samsung for the Google Pixel smarthpones. It is the successor to the Google Tensor G1 and still integrates the same CPU cores. This processor part includes two fast ARM Cortex-X1 cores at up to 2.85 GHz (up from 2.8 GHz of the G1), two mid-range Cortex-A78 cores at up to 2.35 GHz and four small ARM Cortex-A55 efficiency cores with up to 1.8 GHz. The caches are identical with 4 MB CPU L3 cache and 8 MB system level cache. Therefore, the CPU performance is very similar to the first generation of the Tensor SoC.

A big upgrade is the new TPU, which should be more powerful and power efficient compared to its predecessor. In our tests, the AI performance is about 50% higher.

The iGPU was also improved, and now uses a more modern ARM Mali G710 architecture with 7 cores.

The chip also integrates a Titan M2 security processor, a LPDDR5 memory controller, and an ISP for 10-bit HDR / 4k/60 video and 108 MP cameras.

The SoC is manufactured in 5nm at Samsung.