Google VP confirms Tensor G6 is still 3nm — same node as the chip it replaces
If you were expecting the Pixel 11 to pack a genuinely next-generation chip, Google's own VP has just closed that door. Peng Yu-chun, Google's VP of hardware, confirmed in an interview with the Economic Daily News that the Tensor G6 is built on TSMC's 3nm process — the same node used for the Tensor G5 in last year's Pixel 10 series. No process node jump, no generational leap in manufacturing.
The rumor vs. the reality
The 2nm claim spread widely through supply-chain leaks starting in mid-July, picked up by outlets including 9to5Google. Google never officially said "2nm" — but the rumor stuck, and much of the Pixel 11 coverage, including early benchmark previews, was framed around that expectation. As Notebookcheck notes, the N3P variant Google uses is a refinement within the 3nm family, not a step forward to a new node. That's architectural tuning, not a manufacturing upgrade.
The performance gap shows up in benchmarks. The Pixel 11 Pro XL scores around 5,196 in Geekbench 7 multi-core — roughly 5% better than the Pixel 10 Pro XL, and about 40–50% slower than the Galaxy S26 Ultra, per Tom's Guide. That is a significant gap for a flagship phone launching in 2026.
Left behind on process
Google now stands alone among major chip makers still on 3nm. Samsung's Exynos 2600 — the chip inside the Galaxy S26 in Europe — is the world's first 2nm mobile processor, built on Samsung Foundry's own 2nm GAA process. Apple is expected to move the A19 Pro in the iPhone 18 Pro to TSMC's 2nm node later this year.
A smaller process node typically means better power efficiency and more headroom for AI workloads. Google has emphasized gains in Gemini Nano performance via its TPU, but those are software and architecture improvements — the kind of progress you get without changing the manufacturing process at all.
What it means for buyers
The Pixel 11 lineup still gets the camera and AI software experience Google is known for, and the Tensor G6 is faster than its predecessor. But shoppers comparing spec sheets against the Galaxy S26 or waiting to see what the iPhone 18 Pro brings will have a harder time justifying the premium on chip performance alone. Google's next real test is whether Tensor G7 secures a 2nm allocation — and whether Samsung and Apple give it the chance to catch up.
