Since its launch in 2021, Google Tensor has been well-known for its AI capabilities. It was a breakthrough in the tech industry, but now the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is showing off more incredible AI features. This has caused people to question if Google Tensor should still exist. This Weekender edition of 9to5Google's newsletter looks into the Pixel 6 series, where Google Tensor made its debut, and how it brought AI breakthroughs to Pixel phones. It has been noted that some of the AI features Google touted with the Pixel 8 don't actually run on device, and instead require an internet connection.

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, the new Android flagship chip, has put on a great show with its raw performance, but it also has a heavy focus on AI. It has a new Photo Expansion feature, which can generate more of an image all on device and in seconds, something the Pixel 8 series cannot do without an internet connection. This has caused people to wonder why Google Tensor still exists.

Google has control over the chip, allowing the company to focus in specifically on the AI applications that it wants to ship on Pixels. However, Qualcomm's chip has more raw power and is more power efficient. Plus, Google can provide longer support for its phones with Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro beating every single Qualcomm powered device by a considerable margin in this area. This is a big advantage for Google Tensor.

Qualcomm also announced new chips for headphones and laptops, with the Qualcomm S7 series aiming to improve wireless audio and the Snapdragon X Elite being built for Windows platforms. Google Fiber is also rolling out 20 gigabit internet by the end of 2023, which can be done without replacing existing fiber lines.