I have used every Pixel Tensor chip. This is where Google went wrong

First impressions are important, and Google learned that the hard way with Tensor chipsets. The company is weeks away from unveiling its sixth-generation custom SoC, and it seems there are more questions than answers. Ours last request users found themselves disappointed and wary of buying the Pixel 11 until it became clear what the Tensor G6 could do.

I’ve used every Tensor chipset and my opinion is different from the voters in our survey. The road wasn’t perfect and market conditions tied Google to the upcoming Pixel 11, but it wasn’t the disaster some thought it would be. What Google did wrong with Tensor, and what I hope will happen in the (very) near future.

Whenever I write positively about Tensor chipsets, I get quite a bit of backlash. I usually try to ask a question or two, and digging a little deeper often reveals that commenters are disaffected. Pixel 6 and has 7 owners and I understand that. Like many others, I was caught up in the fanfare surrounding the Pixel 6. It felt like Google finally had a coherent vision for its smartphones, complete with a custom chipset that would see it through to the finish line.

Unfortunately, the reality was far from perfect. The first generation Tensor constantly overheated, reducing performance and shortening battery life. Later updates patched it up a bit and the Pixel 6 recovered, but the pain went away a few months before that happened.

The Tensor G2 in the Pixel 7 series wasn’t much better. It took a little longer for this chipset to overheat, but it still happened. The phone’s polished aluminum frame was often hot to the touch during use, and I wouldn’t mind if the battery life didn’t suffer again. Google got off to a poor start, and many buyers ditched Pixels (and Tensors).

I was amazed by Pixel 8 Pro at that time was released. This was the first Pixel phone I can remember that delivered the battery performance I’d expect from a flagship. Overheating didn’t go away completely, as many users still complained about hotter Pixels, but it was significantly reduced. Tensors have never been benchmarked like their Snapdragon flagship equivalents, but that didn’t matter on the Pixel 8 Pro. The user experience was (and is) silky smooth, and Google’s software additions were enough to keep fans happy.

I had equally pleasant experiences with both the Pixel 9 Pro XL and mine Pixel 10 Pro XL. Google has improved its modems, and each generation of Tensor has been better than the last. The current Tensor G5 is excellent in my use. Yes, I understand that it doesn’t offer the same gaming performance as other flagships, but many seem like you can’t play games on the Pixel. This is not true. Most AAA mobile games run smoothly on my Pixel 10 Pro XL, but I notice some lag at max settings.

Pixels is not intended for amateurs. I understand that this is frustrating to some, especially considering the flagship prices of the phones. But Pixel buyers are more satisfied than ever. While we can sit here and read benchmarks that don’t match the competition, the only thing I’ve heard from numerous casual Pixel users is how much they love it. Fast Sharing now works seamlessly with Apple’s AirDrop. The user experience is solid, and that’s what Google aims to achieve with Tensor.

Unfortunately, the market is changing.

Rising prices put Google in a tough spot with the upcoming Pixel 11. I respect what the company is trying to do, but when you raise your prices it does the exact opposite Samsung Galaxy S26 UltraOffering many of the same AI capabilities and Android features, it’s hard to justify any gap in value based solely on a better user experience. Yes, I prefer Google’s Material 3 Expressive design, and Android 17 has been fantastic on my Pixel 10 Pro XL, but at close to $1,400, buyers are right to want everything.

The leaks show that Google understands this and intends to do so Tensor G6 stronger, but it’s hard to believe that the company can successfully change course and delight buyers in just one generation. I hope Google can because I love the progress it has made over the past few years. Even if the pixels aren’t exactly right for every buyer, they’re really nice to use. But to be successful, Google will have to take the Tensor G6 out of the box.

It hasn’t been an easy road for Google with its Tensor chipsets, and I don’t blame anyone who got burned by the company’s early efforts. But I can only review what is put in front of me. Pixels have legitimately improved, and it’s unfair to make Google pay for their sins forever. The Pixel 11 it will have a lot to prove, especially if it comes at a higher price, but overall I’m happy with what Google is doing with its chipsets.