Your Google Pixel might feel faster after December’s update

Despite major changes, Google’s Tensor G5 inside the Pixel 10 has failed to live up to its promise. The chip has been heavily criticized for its subpar performance, especially the new PowerVR GPU. Google seems to have addressed this problem to a certain extent with the December Android 16 QPR2 update.

The Tensor G5 is fabricated on TSMC’s more efficient node. It also uses a newer PowerVR GPU from Imagination Technologies. On paper, performance shouldn’t be a concern, yet Pixel 10 users report otherwise. Since launch, they have complained about poor gaming performance, along with janks and stutters in general use.

Multiple theories point fingers at the outdated PowerVR GPU drivers as the culprit, as the version the Pixel 10 ships with even lacks Android 16 support. Google even confirmed it will roll out more GPU driver updates for the Tensor G5 in the future.

While the stable Android 16 QPR2 release doesn’t update the PowerVR DXT-48-1536 GPU driver — the version number remains unchanged — it still appears to deliver a decent performance uplift. Reports from Pixel 10 users are pouring in on Reddit about their phone feeling smoother and faster to use post the update. The app launch animation is now also seemingly smoother than before, with the device running cooler.

More importantly, while the GPU’s Vulkan scores didn’t change, the OpenCL performance jumped from 3063 to 4061 in Geekbench’s GPU benchmark. Even better, even older Pixels seem to have gotten a performance boost, with screenshots showing the Pixel 8a’s 3DMark’s Wild Life Stress test GPU scores jumping from 7255 to 8007 (via Reddit).

The Pixel 10’s gaming performance does not appear to have received a noticeable boost though. And despite the jump in GPU benchmark scores, the Tensor G5’s graphics performance significantly trails its rivals.

A new garbage collector may explain the speed gains

The general improvement to system performance and app launch could be due to Android 16 QPR2 featuring a more efficient garbage collection.

The Generational Concurrent Mark-Compact (CMC) Garbage Collector packs several changes to reduce CPU usage, leading to a smoother and less janky experience while also boosting battery life. This improvement will apply to all Pixels and won’t just be limited to the Pixel 10 family.