Google’s latest Tensor G3 chip powering the Pixel 8 series has claimed an industry-leading feat – hardware-accelerated AV1 video encoding at 4K 60 frames per second. However, this cutting-edge capability is rendered moot as no current Android apps or even Google’s own Pixel Camera actually support the advanced codec.
According to well-known Android researcher Mishaal Rahman, while the Tensor G3 outclasses rivals like Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and MediaTek’s Dimensity 9300 in AV1 encoding performance, the achievement carries little real-world benefit due to a lack of software optimization.
“No application supports AV1 encoding at 4K 60FPS, so the Tensor G3’s capability gives it almost no advantage,” Rahman pointed out on Twitter. He noted that even the default camera app on Pixel 8 devices lacks support for the higher 4K 60FPS AV1 encoding setting.
The Tensor G3 is the first smartphone SoC to support hardware-accelerated AV1 encoding. It supports AV1 encoding at up to 4K60. No application (including the Pixel Camera app) takes advantage of this, though, likely due to a lack of platform support.
— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) February 23, 2024
I know this technically… pic.twitter.com/T2EiSCYLKP
Google initially promoted the Tensor G3 as enabling 4K 30FPS AV1 encoding, before quietly updating specs to reveal the chip’s full 60FPS prowess. But without apps harnessing this power, it remains an underutilized and obscure bullet point.
The superiority of AV1 over older codecs like H.264 lies in improved video compression with quality retention. However, wider AV1 encoding adoption has lagged due to compatibility concerns across platforms and devices.
Interestingly, some users mistakenly claimed Apple’s A17 Bionic also enabled 4K 60FPS AV1 encoding in the latest iPhones. But Rahman quickly clarified the A17 only supports AV1 decoding, not the more processing-intensive encoding side.
As Google preps its Tensor G4 for the Pixel 9 series later this year, the company will likely extend AV1 encoding support. But unlocking the full potential requires a concerted software ecosystem push – something Google’s proprietary PixelCamera and major video/streaming apps should prioritize.
Without tapping into the Tensor’s AV1 muscle, the highly-touted video encoding prowess stays a benchmarking stat unnoticed by everyday users. Harnessing it could catapult Pixels into a video recording powerhouse if implemented thoughtfully.
