Technology glossary
Google’s fourth-generation Tensor phone chip, introduced with the Pixel 9 series in 2024 and also used in the Pixel 9a.
According to Google, Tensor G4 was designed with Google DeepMind and presented as its most efficient chip. It focuses on speeding up everyday tasks such as opening apps and browsing the web.
It was announced as the first processor to run the multimodal version of Gemini Nano, which understands text, images and audio together. Some features such as Pixel Studio combine an on-device model with a cloud model, so not every AI feature works offline.
The chip alone does not determine a phone’s performance: memory, cooling and power settings differ between Pixel models that use it.
Phones · 2025
The Pixel 9a is Google’s 2025 mid-range phone. It offers a 6.3-inch 120 Hz pOLED screen, the same Tensor G4 chip as the Pixel 9, a 5,100 mAh battery, IP68 and seven years of updates. Tests highlighted battery life and brightness; charging is slow, there is no telephoto camera and the front glass is Gorilla Glass 3.
Phones · 2024
The Pixel 9 is Google’s main 2024 phone. It carries the Tensor G4 chip, 12 GB of RAM, a 6.3-inch (160 mm) 60–120 Hz Actua OLED display and the same 50 MP main and 48 MP ultrawide cameras as the Pixel 9 Pro; it has no telephoto camera. Front and back are Gorilla Glass Victus 2, and Google promises seven years of updates. Testing praised the display, camera and battery and criticised the Tensor G4’s performance and slow AI features.