We’ve previously mentioned that the upcoming Pixel 10 will be powered by Google’s custom-designed Tensor G5 processor, marking a significant shift in the company’s approach. Unlike its predecessors, which were built using Samsung’s Exynos AP as a foundation with Google’s customizations, the Tensor G5 will be fully designed from the ground up by Google. 
This allows for the integration of exclusive Pixel features directly into the chip.
The Tensor G5 is also notable as the first Tensor SoC to be produced by TSMC, the world’s largest foundry. All previous Tensor chips were built by Samsung Foundry. Considering Samsung Foundry’s current issues with its 3nm production yields, it’s no surprise that TSMC was chosen to handle production. However, a tipster recently posted an image on “X” that allegedly shows a prototype of the Tensor G5. The tipster, @Jukanlosreve, claimed to have received a photo of a Pixel 10 prototype chip marked ‘SEC’ (Samsung), suggesting that early versions of the Pixel 10 were initially considered to be manufactured by Samsung Foundry.
The tipster may have misunderstood the ‘SEC’ marking, which commonly refers to Samsung Electronics Company in news and press releases. However, it’s not a typical label that Samsung Foundry would use on a finished chip. Additionally, some of the numbers on the chip appear to have been concealed, leading to speculation that the image was fabricated to support the idea that Samsung Foundry was involved in building a prototype of the Tensor G5.
There’s some evidence to suggest that Samsung Foundry was hoping to secure the contract to produce the Tensor G5. Last month, the Korean financial newsletter “The Bell” reported that Samsung Foundry was investigating why it lost the business to TSMC. While this doesn’t confirm that Samsung produced a prototype of the Tensor G5, it does show that Samsung was caught off guard by Google’s decision to go with TSMC, a choice that most analysts were already expecting.
In terms of market share, Samsung Foundry has seen a decline, with its share dropping to 7.7% in Q1 2025, down from 8.1% in Q4 2024. In contrast, TSMC’s share has risen slightly, from 67.1% to 67.6% over the same period. Samsung’s biggest project currently is the development of the Exynos 2600 AP, which will likely power the Galaxy S26 series in most markets outside of the U.S., Canada, and China. This will be the first 2nm chip produced by Samsung, setting the stage for the future of its mobile processors.
Ultimately, while the rumors about Samsung Foundry being involved in the Tensor G5 prototype are intriguing, it’s clear that the final production of the Tensor G5 will be handled by TSMC. The Pixel 10 series is expected to be unveiled on August 20th, with a release date set for August 28th.