- 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 users with a significant performance boost for their phones. While software updates don't usually bring drastic improvements to device power, this time, a GPU driver update has been a game-changer . This has allowed models like the Pixel 7a, Pixel 8, and Pixel 9 series to experience noticeable improvements in their graphics capabilities.
The discovery was made in user forums and communities, where several Pixel device owners reported that after updating their phones, their GPU performance test scores had increased considerably. Further investigation confirmed that the improvement was due to the implementation of new drivers for the Mali GPUs used in Google's Tensor chips .
A noticeable performance increase
User-provided data shows an impressive increase in graphics performance. According to tests performed with Geekbench 6, some models have seen improvements of up to 62% . Specifically, the models that benefited 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 Android 16 beta, it was later confirmed that it could also be observed on devices running Android 15. For more details about Android updates, you can visit the article about Android and its updates.
The role of new drivers
The reason behind this improvement is the introduction of new GPU driver versions in recent Android updates. Specifically, Google has been updating the drivers for the Arm Mali GPUs used in the Tensor processors of its Pixel phones. Unlike other manufacturers, who often avoid updating GPU drivers after a device launch to prevent stability issues, Google has chosen to continue improving its phones' software over time.
The latest version of these drivers, identified as r52p0 , was included in the third beta of Android 16. However, some 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 Pixel 10 specifications.
Will it be noticeable in the games?
Despite impressive results in synthetic benchmarks like Geekbench 6, the real question is whether this improvement will translate into better performance in games and other everyday applications. In principle, apps and games that use the Vulkan graphics API could benefit most from these changes, as this is the technology where the greatest performance gains have been observed. For more information on gaming and Pixel phones, check out the Google Pixel 9a specifications.
There are already reports indicating that demanding games have seen improvements. For example, some titles have experienced 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 continuing to update the drivers for its Pixel devices is undoubtedly a striking decision. In a market where many brands take hardware limitations for granted shortly after a device's launch, 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 is working 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 highly anticipated Pixel 10. If Google continues with this policy of regular optimization, its phones could close the performance 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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