Google Pixel 8 series falls short in benchmark tests

Benchmark tests reveal that the Google Pixel 8 series falls behind in performance.

The highly anticipated Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro from Google have finally made their debut, and some fortunate users have already had the chance to test them out, sharing benchmark results of the new Tensor G3 SoC. Unfortunately, the initial results are rather underwhelming, indicating that the Tensor G3 chip falls short in terms of raw performance compared to its competitors.

Google Pixel 8 series falls short in benchmark tests

The Tensor G3 is manufactured using Samsung's 4LPP (4 nm, Low Power Plus) process and features a 9-core CPU configuration, including 1x Cortex-X3 (3.00 GHz), 4x Cortex-A715 (2.45 GHz), and 4x Cortex-A510 (2.15 GHz).

In contrast, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC boasts an octa-core CPU with 1x Cortex-X3 (3.2 GHz), 2x Cortex-A715 (2.8 GHz), 2x Cortex-A710 (2.8 GHz), and 3x Cortex-A510 (2.00 GHz), despite having one extra core, the Tensor G3's performance lags behind the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. In fact, it's closer in performance to last year's Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 than the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.

As previously reported, in Geekbench 6, the Tensor G3 achieved a score of 1,760 in the single-core test and 4,442 in the multi-core test. These scores significantly trail behind the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, which averages 1,976 and 5,149 in the respective tests (via Notebookcheck).

Similarly, in the 3D Mark Wild Life Stress test, the Pixel 8 posted a best loop score of 8,216 and a lowest loop score of 4,316, with a rather low stability rating of just 52.5%. The Pixel 8 Pro fared slightly better with a best loop score of 8,572 and a lowest loop score of 5,029, along with a stability rating of 58.7%. These results are less than impressive, especially when compared to the iPhone 15 Pro Max (A17 Pro chip) and Galaxy S23 Ultra (Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip), which achieved stability ratings of 78.9% and 69%, respectively.

The primary reason for the Tensor G3's underwhelming performance is likely linked to Samsung's fabrication process. Samsung's own Exynos chips have historically lagged behind the competition due to their fabrication technology, and it appears that Google's new chip is grappling with similar issues.

All in all, the Tensor G3 chip in the Pixel 8 lineup appears to be a bit of a letdown. It doesn't match the power and stability of its competitors, though it still delivers sufficient performance for everyday tasks. However, for those expecting it to compete with rival chips, it may fall short of expectations.