Google's recent decision angered everyone: No comparison allowed!

It's been reported that Google has made the surprising move of restricting the installation of benchmarking applications on its Pixel 8 and 8 Pro models. Sanjiv from Notebookcheck was among the first to observe this blockade, as he noticed an inability to install prominent benchmark apps like Geekbench and 3D Mark.

Benchmarking apps have become essential tools in the tech world. They offer insights into the CPU and GPU performance of devices, serving as a valuable resource for both professional reviewers and consumers, enabling them to draw comparisons among various smartphones based on their performance metrics.

Google's recent decision angered everyone: No comparison allowed!

While Google's restrictions did prevent some reviewers from executing these essential tests, many found ways around this obstacle by sideloading the benchmark apps. Notably, despite these restrictions, results for the Tensor G3 chipset, which powers the Pixel devices, have still managed to emerge. In tests using Geekbench 6, the Tensor G3 didn't quite measure up to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, lagging behind in both single-core and multi-core evaluations. Similarly, when put through the 3D Mark Wild Life Stress tests, the Tensor G3 fell short of the Snapdragon's performance. This is a bit surprising given that Tensor G3 is touted to have a more contemporary and sophisticated architecture than some of its competitors.

Diving deeper into the possible reasons, one might speculate that the performance gap could be attributed to the manufacturing technologies behind these chips. The Tensor G3 is built using Samsung's 4 nm node technology, which might not be as efficient as the TSMC’s N4P node technology employed in the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.

For potential buyers, it's crucial to bear in mind that the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro may not be designed with sheer performance as their primary focus. Thus, if performance is atop your priority list when choosing a smartphone, exploring other options might be advisable.

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