- Google has improved GPU performance on several Pixel models with an update to drivers.
- The biggest beneficiaries have been the Pixel 7a, Pixel 8, and Pixel 9, with increases of up to 62% in performance tests.
- The adjustment has been achieved thanks to the implementation of new drivers for the Mali GPUs of the Tensor.
- The impact on games and other applications will depend on each software's optimization for the Vulkan API.
Google has surprised Pixel device users with a significant performance improvement for their phones. While software updates don't typically bring drastic performance improvements, this time, A GPU driver update has changed the game.This has allowed models like the Pixel 7a, Pixel 8, and Pixel 9 series to experience noticeable improvements in their graphical capabilities.
The discovery came from user forums and communities, where several Pixel device owners reported that after updating their phones, their scores on GPU benchmarks had increased significantly. Upon further investigation, it was confirmed that the improvement was due to the implementation of new drivers for the Mali GPUs used in Tensor chips of Google.
A noticeable performance increase
User-reported data shows an impressive increase in graphics performance. According to Geekbench 6 tests, some models have received an improvement of up to 62%. In detail, the benefited models were:
- Pixel 7a: 62% increase in GPU scores.
- Pixels 8: 31% improvement in performance tests.
- Pixels 9: Up to 32% increase in graphics performance.
These results have led users to speculate about the origin of the improvement, and although it was initially thought to be related to the beta of Android 16, it was later confirmed that it could also be observed on devices with Android 15For more details on Android updates, you can visit the article on Android and its updates.
The role of new drivers
The reason behind this improvement is the introduction of new versions of GPU drivers in recent Android updates. Specifically, Google has been updating the drivers for the Arm Mali GPUs used in the Tensor processors in its Pixels. Unlike other manufacturers, who typically avoid updating GPU drivers after a device's release to avoid stability issues, Google has opted to continue improving its phones' software with There.
The latest version of these drivers, identified as r52p0, was integrated into the third beta of Android 16. However, certain improvements had already been introduced in previous versions, which explains why Android 15 users have also experienced a performance boost. If you want to learn more about the future of Pixel devices, you can check out the features of the Pixel 10.
Will it be noticeable in the games?
Despite the impressive results in synthetic tests like Geekbench 6, the real question is whether this improvement will translate into better performance in games and other everyday applications. In principle, the apps and games that use the Vulkan graphics API could benefit more of these changes, as this is the technology where the greatest performance increases have been observed. For more information on games and the Pixel, check out the features of the Google Pixel 9a.
There are already reports that demanding games have seen improvements. For example, in some titles it was noticed an increase in frame rate, going from 20-25 FPS to over 45 FPS on certain Pixel models. However, the final result will depend on each app and how it takes advantage of these driver improvements.
Google continues to focus on optimizing its Pixels
Google's strategy of continue updating the drivers for your Pixel devices It is, without a doubt, a striking decision. In a market where many brands take for granted the limitations of hardware Shortly after launching a device, Google demonstrates that Software can still make a difference months or even years after purchase. You can also take a look at the Pixel's emergency calling features to see how Google seeks to improve the user experience.
The results obtained with this update open the door to possible future improvements, especially with the arrival of Android 16 and the long-awaited Pixel 10. If Google continues with this policy of periodic optimization, its phones could closing the achievement gap with other major manufacturers in the mobile gaming sector.
In the meantime, users who haven't yet received the update can rest assured, as the new drivers are being rolled out in phases and are likely to reach more devices in the coming weeks.
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