📹 Google's upcoming Tensor G5 cores architecture leaked

Following a leak about TSMC's 3nm process node, Android Authority's source has revealed info about the cores that will be used in the Tensor G5.

• CPU
Google has decided to keep a single Arm Cortex-X4 as the primary core, which was used in the Tensor G4. The middle cluster now has five Cortex-A725 cores, instead of the three Cortex-A720 cores in the Tensor G4, and the small cluster has been reduced to two Cortex-A520 cores, instead of the same four in the previous generation.

• GPU
For graphics, the Tensor G5 is powered by a GPU from Imagination Technologies (or IMG), the DXT-48-1536, running at 1.1GHz. First, this GPU has support for ray tracing, which is new to Google chips. Secondly, it supports GPU Virtualization, allowing accelerated graphics to be used in a virtual machine.

• TPU
The Tensor G5 has a faster TPU compared to the Tensor G3 and G4. It is nearly 40% better than its predecessors in terms of TOPS (Trillions of Operations Per Second), but Google's internal benchmarks show that the new TPU is only 14% faster. The improved TPU also features embedded RISC-V kernels that enable operations not implemented in hardware, as well as support for on-device learning.

😎 Google News | En

Pixel 11 may get an under-display infrared (IR) camera

The scanner based on emitting dots in the infrared spectrum allows authentication based on a 3D facial model even in low-light conditions. The only device in the Pixel series to feature such a sensor was the Pixel 4, after which Google relied only on fingerprint scanners and face unlocking with the camera (Pixel 7+), which essentially doesn't work in low-light conditions.

Fortunately, as reported by Android Authority, Google is considering adding an under-screen IR sensor to the Pixel 11. According to the leaked docs, the image signal processor (ISP) in Google's Tensor G6 will get support for an under-display infrared camera system. Thanks to a new “lite” front-end (one of the main parts of an ISP) designed specifically for this purpose, the chip will allow both better and much less power-hungry handling of such systems.

Of course, support for such systems in the Tensor G6 doesn't mean that the Pixel 11 will feature an IR sensor, but at the very least, Google is considering such an option.

😎 Google News | En

📷 First details on photo and video capabilities of the Tensor G5 and G6

The leaks don't stop, and now Android Authority has shared info about new camera features potentially coming to the Pixel 10 (Tensor G5 - 2025) and Pixel 11 (Tensor G6 - 2026):

• The Tensor G5 will get support for 4K 60fps HDR video recording, whereas previous models only allowed 4k 30 FPS HDR videos.

• The Pixel 11 will get 100x zoom thanks to machine learning capabilities for both photos and videos. Furthermore, the leaked documents mention that the feature will also utilize a “next-gen” telephoto camera.

• The Cinematic Blur video recording mode will also get an update in Pixel 11, with support for 4K 30 FPS recording and a new “video relight” feature that appears to correct lighting conditions in videos. Both features utilize a new “cinematic rendering engine” in the chip's image signal processor. The inclusion of the new hardware block also reduces the power draw of video recording with blur by almost 40%.

• The Pixel 11 will get an “ultra low-light video” recording mode. Starting with the Pixel 8 Pro, Google devices have already introduced a “Night Sight” video mode that relies on cloud processing, while the Pixel 11 will be able to process such videos locally on the device. Google specifically noted that the lighting conditions for this feature are 5-10 lux. This is a very low light level, similar to the illumination of a dimly lit room or the light of a cloudy sky at dusk. The new feature will also rely on updated camera hardware to achieve the desired results.

🔗 Android Authority

😎 Google News | En

Google's Pixel Watch 5 might be getting a custom Google Tensor chip

The first gen Pixel Watch was based on the old Exynos 9110, while the Pixel Watch 2 and 3 use Qualcomm's fresher Snapdragon Wear 5100. And now, thanks to a leak published by Android Authority, it has been revealed what Google's plans are for future models.

Apparently, Google plans to introduce a Watch based on its own Tensor processor codenamed 'NPT' (presumably 'Newport') in 2026. The architecture of the cores of this chip consists of 1x Arm Cortex-A78 and 2x Arm Cortex-A55.

The leaked document is dated early 2023, so things are still subject to change. While the 4th generation of the Pixel Watch is also likely to be equipped with a Qualcomm processor.

😎 Google News | En

🤖 Android 16 will be released in the second quarter of 2025. Google will release SDK updates more often than once a year.

Currently, the Android update schedule consists of one major update with SDK upgrades and changes in system behavior, and three quarterly updates with stability improvements and new features (Pixel Drop). However, Google has announced changes to the Android update schedule.

There are 2 SDK updates scheduled for 2025: a Major update in the second quarter (Q2) and a Minor update in the fourth quarter (Q4). Both updates include new APIs for developers, but changes affecting app behavior will only be contained in the major (first) update. The minor update will also include new features, bug fixes, and new APIs, but will not affect apps behavior, and developers will not do the same work twice.

The first and third quarter updates will be regular quarterly updates with 'Features only'.

Thus the first stable release of Android 16 'Baklava' will take place in spring 2025, instead of fall. Accordingly, and the first Developer Preview will appear much earlier than February.

Google argues that this change is necessary to “better align with the schedule of device launches across our ecosystem, so more devices can get the major release of Android sooner.”

😎 Google News | En

🤖 Android 15 QPR2 Beta around the corner

Android 15 QPR1 Beta 3 was the last beta in the December Quarterly Release testing cycle. And now Google is preparing to release the first beta of the second quarterly update Android 15 QPR2, which will be released in March next year.

Android 15 QPR1 beta users (the build number starts with AP4) who haven't exited the beta test will automatically get the update to Android 15 QPR2 Beta 1.

If you want to leave the beta test and upgrade to the stable Android 15 QPR1 in December without data loss, you need to follow the steps below:

• Opt out of the beta program.
• Ignore/don’t apply the downgrade OTA update.The OTA message will have ‘Downgrade’ in the denoscription. Opting out will not cause a data wipe as long as you don’t apply the downgrade OTA update.
• Wait for the final public stable release of Android 15 QPR1 (AP4A), which is coming in December. The update page will explicitly say “No Data Wipe”.

❗️If you upgrade to Android 15 QPR2 Beta 1, the next exit window without data loss will only be in March 2025.

❗️Downgrade from Android 15 QPR1 (AP41) to regular Android 15 (AP3A) is only possible with data loss.

Stable Android 15 (AP3A) users will receive stable Android 15 QPR1 (AP41) in December as a regular over-the-air update.

😎 Google News | En

November 2024 Android 15 security patch for Pixel devices has been released.

This update only applies to the Android 15 stable update channel. Security patch update for beta versions are expected with the release of Android 15 QPR2 Beta 1.

Fixed issues:

Bluetooth
• Fix for issue with Bluetooth range under certain conditions*[Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, 9 Pro Fold]

Camera
• Fix for issue observing camera tilt when zooming between cameras under certain conditions*[Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, 9 Pro Fold]

Display & Graphics
• Fix for issue causing white dots to flash under certain conditions*[Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, 9 Pro Fold]
• Fix for issue with screen brightness flickering under certain conditions*[Pixel 8a]

Sensors
• Fix for issue occasionally preventing Adaptive brightness from activating in certain conditions*[Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, 9 Pro Fold]

Touch
• Fix for issue in pressing the keyboard dismiss button in certain conditions*[Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, 9 Pro Fold]

User Interface
• General improvements for performance and stability in certain UI transitions and animations*[Pixel 6, 6 Pro, 6a, 7, 7 Pro, 7a, 8, 8 Pro, 8a, Fold, Tablet, 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, Pro Fold]

Build Number: AP3A.241105.007
Security Patch: November 2024

🔗 Android Security Bulletin — November 2024
🔗 Pixel Update Bulletin — November 2024

🔗 Factory Images
🔗 OTA-images

😎 Google News | En

🤖 The first beta of Android 15 QPR2 has been released.

Google has released the first beta of the second quarterly update (QPR2) for Android 15, which will be released in March 2025. The beta program is available for devices starting with the Pixel 6 and newer, which means the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro will get Android 15 QPR2 next March, even though their official support for Android versions ended in October.

Build number: BP11.241025.006
Security Patch: November 2024

🔗 Factory images
🔗 OTA images
🔗 Sign up for the beta test for the over-the-air upgrade

*QPR — quarterly platform release

#Android15

😎 Google News | En

Android 15 QPR2 Beta1: All Google Tensor-based devices are getting a 6.1.99 kernel update

Earlier this year, a Google employee mentioned in one of the commits on AOSP Gerrit that Pixel devices could be updated to the Linux 6.1 kernel along with Android 15. However, so far the only Google devices to get the sixth version of the kernel have been the Pixel 9 series devices with kernel version 6.1.75.

In the first beta of Android 15 QPR2, Google has updated the kernel version to 6.1.99 for all Google Tensor-based Pixel devices, starting with the Pixel 6 and newer.

#Android15

😎 Google News | En

Google may bring back a feature lost with Android 12.

Along with Android 12, Google cut out a number of customization features such as different status bar icon options, fonts and the home screen icons shape. And from the looks of it, the latter option will soon grace us with its return.

The company has been working on redesigning the Wallpaper & Style app for some time now, and as part of the redesign, a new item “App Shape, Layout” has appeared in the options list that will allow you to change the shape of app icons. There will be 6 options to choose from.

The change is revealed inside Android 15 QPR2 Beta 1, but it's likely we'll only see the light of day in Android 16.

😎 Google News | En

Pixel Watches are getting a November security patch.

Pixel Watch 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation devices are getting a November 2024 software update. For Pixel Watch 3 and others who have already managed to update to Wear OS 5, this update only contains a security patch.

For Pixel Watch 1 and 2 users who didn't manage to upgrade to Wear OS 5 before Google pulled the update due to issues, this update apparently brings Wear OS 5.

To speed up getting the update, put the watch on charge, open the Settings/System/System Update page, and tap the watch icon at the top several times in a row.

(?) Odd moment: Google states that “the next update planned for March 2025.” Whether the company is referring to a major system update or a software update in general remains to be seen.

Build number: AW2A.241105.012

😎 Google News | En

🤖 The first Developer Preview version of Android 16 has been released.

As previously announced, Android 16 will be released in the second quarter of 2025, therefore Google has published the first Developer Preview version of Android 16 3 months earlier than usual. A total of 2 developer previews (Developer Preview) and at least 4 beta versions of the system are planned. The final release is expected after April.

Developer Preview builds are available for all Google Tensor-powered Pixel devices, including the Pixel 6, 6 Pro and 6a, which means these devices will get Android 16.

You can install the Developer Preview using either the factory image or manually sideloading an OTA image. It is not possible to update to Developer Preview over the air.

Known issues:
• Tapping an ongoing media notification sometimes fails to launch the corresponding app.
• On some devices, the camera screen sometimes flashes if the zoom level is adjusted while recording video.

❗️❗️❗️Regular users are in no way recommended to install this build, especially with a locked bootloader in order to avoid potential device bricking.

Build number: BP21.241018.009
Security patch: November 2024

🔗 Factory images
🔗 OTA images

#Android16

😎 Google News | En