Google has received a lot of criticism for the Tensor lineup of systems-on-a-chip (SoC) that powers Pixel phones. The processors tend to either run super hot (like the Tensor G2) or offer meager levels of performance (like the Tensor G3). Well, it has now been revealed that the Tensor G3 has one neat thing going for it. Google’s Tensor G3 first smartphone chip to ever support hardware-accelerated AV1 encoding. This was first discovered by Android expert Mishaal Rahman, who shared code snippets revealing AV1 encoding support (via WCCF Tech).
Most phones still use h.264 for video encoding, since it’s a ubiquitous standard that offers great compatibility. By comparison, the capability is there for the Tensor G3 to make use of AV1 encoding. Support for this video encoding format was leaked and rumored last year, in June 2023. However, that original leak suggested that the Google Tensor G3 would support AV1 encoding at 4K resolution and 30 frames-per-second. Now, Rahman has confirmed AV1 encoding with actual code, and it turns out support is better than previously rumored. Tensor G3 supports AV1 encoding at 4K 60, which is even better. The original target was 4K 30, per Rahman, but was bumped up to 4K 60.
Why you can’t use AV1 on Google Tensor G3
Here’s the catch: no one can use AV1 encoding on Pixel devices, even though support is there. Not a single Android app uses AV1 encoding right now, and that includes the Pixel Camera app. For reference, Pixel Camera is exclusive to Pixel phones. If there was an app that would support AV1 encoding first, it’s Pixel Camera. Rahman suspects that there is a “lack of platform support” for AV1 encoding. This would explain why no application works with AV1 encoding just yet.
Another user, Gianni Rosato on Mastodon, tried to use AV1 encoding. But, “the fact that it doesn’t write any container metadata makes it appear impossible to use,” according to Rosato. It’s unclear when or if these issues will be resolved to make AV1 encoding possible.
Of course, the format could come at any time from Google. The support for AV1 encoding is there, and that’s something Tensor G3 can claim either way. There are plenty of ways that Google lags behind the likes of Samsung, Apple, and Qualcomm in terms of processing. However, in the race to AV1 encoding, Google finished first. Now, we’ll wait and see whether other chipmakers will jump on the AV1 encoding bandwagon.
2024-02-26 15:05:19