Google’s intent to ditch Qualcomm is becoming clearer as the tech giant approaches the release date of its upcoming flagship Pixel 6 this fall. This past April, documents emerged that confirm a new in-house processor, codenamed Whitechapel, will power the next Pixel phones. Eventually, the chip is expected to feature in Chromebooks.
The reports also suggest Samsung will be a co-developer for Google's custom chip—internally known as 'GS101'. Given the two tech giants’ increasing ties, a glimpse of which we saw at the Google I/O Keynote, this collaboration is no surprise.
So what can you expect from Whitechapel?
Whitechapel Won’t Wow, but Pixel 6 Might
While critics report Google's move to build its own processor as an attempt at copying Apple’s homework, as brands do, Android purists are already envisioning the perfect stock Android phone coming to life.
Google's decision to quit Qualcomm would be no doubt a bold move, but not necessarily one that will guarantee better performance. The Whitechapel System-on-Chip (SoC) will likely have some similarities with Samsung's Exynos system. However, it will not outperform Apple’s A14 Bionic or Qualcomm's Snapdragon 888 chipsets.
The reason for that is Google simply doesn't have adequate infrastructure and investment set in place that can make it possible to compete with the likes of those flagship processors. However, even with that in mind, the Google Pixel 6 can still prove to be a major upgrade from previous Pixel models.
Last year, Google CEO Sunder Pichai commented about Google's plans to put more investment into hardware. The reason why this is interesting news is that Google Pixel devices have always fought the smartphone battle with software, but lacked hardware. This made a lot of reviewers report Pixel flagships to be overpriced.
Why Build a Custom SoC?
Let's ask the most obvious question. Why build a custom chip when Qualcomm Snapdragon would do just fine and is the standard chipset for most Android phones? Although the answer to that question is mostly speculation at this point, it seems Google wants to up its smartphone game with the Pixel 6 this year.
Since Pixel devices first launched in 2016, they have been pure Google phones. In other words, a Pixel phone was merely a vehicle to carry all of Google's brilliant software features. But as good as the software and stock Android experience was, Pixel devices were hard to recommend to the average consumer given their lacking hardware.
This year, Google's intent to compete to add to its (negligible) market share seems prominent. Not only is Google investing in a new chip, but also a whole new identity for Pixel products—evident by the leaked design of the Pixel 6 that suggests a unique new look.
Pros of Building an In-House Processor
One of the biggest advantages of building an in-house chip over featuring an external one is the amount of control it gives to the home company. The Whitechapel SoC will allow Google to better control the end-user experience on the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. This means enhanced integration with all Google services to provide true digital omnichannel support.
Speaking of user experience, the camera will likely see some serious improvements. We know Google takes the crown when it comes to smartphone photography, no surprises there. But as brands like Apple, Samsung, OnePlus, and Xiaomi push ahead with bleeding-edge technology, competing with software alone is no longer an option.
An in-house processor can allow Google enough control and resources to create, in theory, a whole new level of camera experience on the Google Pixel 6. Using machine learning and artificial intelligence, Whitechapel can allow better calibration of visual information to improve color science, natural bokeh blur, image stabilization, and take near-DSLR quality photos.
On top of that, with the Whitechapel SoC, Google will also be able to extend software support. Ditching Qualcomm will mean Pixel devices will no longer be limited to the standard three years of software support found on Snapdragon chipsets, while the iPhone runs six to seven years of software updates.
The longer software support, refined camera experience, new design, and OS continuity can make Pixel 6 seem worth the buy.
Another benefit of an in-house chip is cost reduction. Pixel devices haven't exactly been known for their value-for-money propositions. Creating a custom chip will help avoid acquiring processors from external providers like Qualcomm. The saved money can then be used to improve core functionality and cut prices.
Whitechapel Is Running on Thin Ice
We know from the internal documents and other leaks that the Whitechapel SoC will have an 8-core ARM design in three clusters, a Mali GPU, and will be based on a 5nm process—much like the Samsung Exynos 2100. However, it will most certainly not be the next bleeding-edge tech in smartphone processors.
If you're expecting the 'GS101' silicon to overpower the latest and greatest offered by the tech giants, you're in for a big disappointment. When it comes to raw performance, the Apple A14 Bionic and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 are still the ones to beat.
On a more optimistic side, if this new Google venture does turn out to be a commercial success, Whitechapel may soon compete with Apple and Qualcomm as Google increases investment. In addition to prioritizing AI, user privacy, and security, a report from Axios also mentions the Whitechapel SoC to have a dedicated portion for Google Assistant to improve performance and always-on capabilities.
A Whole Lot of Google in a Tiny Package
While the Qualcomm Snapdragon remains the standard SoC for Android devices, a lot of brands have started to take a different route. Names like the Samsung Exynos, the HiSilicon Kirin, the MediaTek Dimensity, and now, the Google Whitechapel are all making their way into the world of tech.
Although no official announcements have been made yet, there are plenty of rumors and smart guesses floating on the internet that may provide a peek into the Whitechapel SoC's specifications. Come this fall, as we reach closer and closer to the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro release date, you can expect things to unfold much quicker. Building the custom in-house 'GS101' Whitechapel SoC can prove to be a turning point for Pixel devices.
So far, with everything that we have seen and read, it seems clear that Google has a robust plan in mind for the upcoming Pixel launch. Some sources suggest that the tech giant has set a marketing budget similar to that of Samsung's S-series of smartphones. With an investment of that scale, it is safe to assume that Pixel devices are in for a major revamp.