The Pixel 7a, Google’s newest midrange smartphone, has made some sacrifices to reduce its price, but it uses the same processor as its more expensive siblings, the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. It has come to light, however, that the Tensor G2 on the Pixel 7a may be distinct from the one that powers the Pixel 7 tandem.

Kamila Wojciechowska, a notable tipster, delved into the kernel records and discovered that the Tensor G2 processor powering the Pixel 7a is distinct from the chip operating the Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro. The two Tensor G2 processors are packaged differently.

The Pixel 7a semiconductor utilizes IPOP packaging as opposed to Tensor G2’s standard FOPLP-PoP packaging. However, what does it imply? The FOPLP-PoP packaging method is more recent. IPOP packaging is theoretically denser, larger, and hotter than FOPLP-PoP packaging, as indicated on Samsung’s website, according to Wojciechowska.

The Pixel 7a may include a “different” version of Google’s Tensor G2 CPU.

How does the distinction manifest itself in real-world scenarios? There is no definitive information regarding the effects of the various packaging methods on actual utilization, and only Samsung and Google are aware of the actual difference.

During our time with the Pixel 7a (review), we did not observe any significant performance differences between it and the Pixel 7, but there were instances in which the phone became somewhat warm; this may have been due to differences in their cooling capabilities. Using the IPOP package could affect the device’s ability to dissipate heat as well as its overall efficacy and cost.

According to reports, the IPOP packaging for the Tensor G2 on Pixel 7 may have cost Google slightly less than the FOPLP-PoP packaging used for the Tensor G2 on Pixel 7. Therefore, this could have been done to reduce costs and keep the Pixel 7a as inexpensive as feasible.