Google Pixel 6 looks like it could be the best phone for Android 12
Chipset changes
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WhenAndroid 12rolls out, it’s likely theGoogle Pixel 6will be the phone that runs it best -Googleis said to be working on its own custom-made smartphone chipset, that’ll likely be designed to work hand-in-hand with the company’s upcoming phone software.
In the past Pixel phones have used Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, but news has been mounting that the company will make its own chipset this year, and another piece of information has added to that pile.
As spotted byXDA Developers, a Google engineer has left a comment and a link on Android Open Source Project (AOSP) code that refers to both “P21” (which is probably the Pixel 6) and “whitechapel” (which is probably Google’s bespoke processor for it).
It’s not quite on the level of an official blog post from Google head office, but at this point it would be something of a surprise if the Pixel 6 didn’t arrive running some custom silicon rather than a chipset sourced from elsewhere.
Rumors of a Google-made chip with the designation GS101 Whitechapel have beenfloating aroundfor more than a year at this point. It’s reportedly being developed in partnership withSamsung, and will feature Samsung’s 5 nanometer technology and an 8-coreARMprocessor.
Chips with everything
In the last few weeks we’ve heardfurther reportsthat Google’s investment in CPU technology is going to make its debut in the Pixel 6. Eventually, Whitechapel or processors like it could make an appearance in Chromebook laptops as well.
The benefit of working on its own chipsets or SoC (system-on-a-chip) silicon is that it gives Google more precise control over hardware and software integration. Whitechapel can be configured specifically forAndroid 12, Google Assistant, and everything else that will be making an appearance in the Pixel 6.
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Google Pixel phonesare already designed to show off the newest builds of Android - they’re typically the first phones launched with each new version of the software - and by using homemade internals, Google could really shine Android 12 in the best light possible.
It’s one of the advantagesApplehas had for years, and is part of the reason iPhones can get away with much less RAM – the hardware and software in the phone are optimized to work very closely together. In comparison, when Qualcomm makes a chip like theSnapdragon 888, it’s building it for a wide variety of devices and component setups.
What we don’t know yet is just how powerful GS101 Whitechapel and the Pixel 6 will be, but custom-made processors usually offer a variety of performance upgrades and better battery life. We could hear more about the Pixel 6 atGoogle IO 2021in May.
Dave is a freelance tech journalist who has been writing about gadgets, apps and the web for more than two decades. Based out of Stockport, England, on TechRadar you’ll find him covering news, features and reviews, particularly for phones, tablets and wearables. Working to ensure our breaking news coverage is the best in the business over weekends, David also has bylines at Gizmodo, T3, PopSci and a few other places besides, as well as being many years editing the likes of PC Explorer and The Hardware Handbook.
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