Last year, Google launched Pixel 5, and now eyes are upon the Pixel 6 for this fall. Now, reports are coming that the Pixel 6 will use Google’s own chip codenamed ‘Whitechapel’. The tech giant is reportedly testing its own silicon for the upcoming Pixel phone. As per the reports, Google will launch its custom smartphone system-on-a-chip (SoC) in the coming months, with the Pixel 6 smartphone.
According to a report from 9to5Google, the new and upcoming Google Pixel will use a custom SoC instead of the Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. Pixel 6 is reported to be the first device to run the “GS101” Whitechapel chip, which is allegedly the codename for the company’s custom hardware. The chip was first rumored in early 2020 where it was reported that Google is developing a custom-made chip for its Pixel phones. Even Google CEO Sundar Pichai had teased “some deeper investments in hardware” during an earnings call last fall. If the reports turn out to be true, then Google will also be using its own chip on Pixel phones and Chromebooks — similar to how Apple uses custom chips in the iPhone and Mac.
Pixel 6 Will Feature GS101 Whitechapel SoC
According to the report, Google’s custom-made Whitechapel chip would debut as soon as 2021. The report confirms that the upcoming Pixel phone of this year, the presumed Google Pixel 6, will indeed be powered by the Whitechapel platform. As per a document accessed by 9to5Google, the Whitechapel codename is used in connection with another codename “Slider.” Interestingly, a reference to Slider has also been found in the latest Google Camera app. The chip is said to be internally referred to as “GS101.”
So, to sum it up, what it actually means is that the upcoming Pixel phones will no longer use the Qualcomm Snapdragon processors. Like iPhones, they will also use the custom Whitechapel hardware platform, which is speculated to be developed with assistance from Samsung. This is because the codename “Slider” is also found in Samsung, which suggests there’s some relation between the Samsung Exynos and Whitechapel chip.
