Google has been improving the GPU performance of Pixel phones with ongoing software updates. These enhancements extend to devices as far back as the Pixel 7 series, which debuted in 2022. The latest GPU driver updates have significantly improved Pixel phones, particularly in gaming and machine learning applications.
Reports of Higher Geekbench 6 Scores
According to reports, The Pixel 7a has achieved an impressive score that is 62% above the average in Geekbench 6 GPU scores. In comparison, the Pixel 8 and 9 experienced 31% and 32% increases. These enhancements are evident in the Vulkan API benchmark, which is significant for many contemporary games and graphics-heavy applications.
While some users believe that the boost in performance is due to updates in Android 16, others with the latest Android 15 update have also reported performance gains. Notably, one user of the Pixel 6a even outperformed scores from the newer Pixel 9 models. This suggests that the recent GPU drivers provided through system updates are likely the main reason for these improvements.
Arm Mali GPU Driver Updates
All Pixel device powered by Tensor is equipped with Arm Mali GPUs, but they don’t initially include the most recent GPU drivers. Google provides updated drivers through quarterly releases, which typically align with Pixel Drop updates. For instance, the Android 15 version for Tensor G1, G2, and G3 utilized a driver version that Arm released in February 2024, whereas the build for Tensor G4 used a driver from December 2023. Later updates, including Android 15 QPR1, QPR2, and the Android 16 Betas, have brought in increasingly newer GPU drivers.
Here is a table I made that lists the Arm Mali GPU driver version for all Tensor-powered Pixels for Android 15 and later:
| Android Version | Tensor G1 Pixels | Tensor G2 Pixels | Tensor G3 Pixels | Tensor G4 Pixels |
| Android 15 | r48p0 | r48p0 | r48p0 | r47p0 |
| Android 15 QPR1 | r49p0 | r49p0 | r49p0 | r49p0 |
| Android 15 QPR2 | r51p0 | r51p0 | r51p0 | r51p0 |
| Android 16 (Beta 3) | r52p0 | r52p0 | r52p0 | r52p0 |
Here is a table I made that lists the release date for each GPU driver version:
| Mali GPU Kernel Driver Version | Release Date |
| r47p0 | 2023-12-14 |
| r48p0 | 2024-02-19 |
| r49p0 | 2024-04-18 |
| r51p0 | 2024-08-14 |
| r52p0 | 2024-10-03 |
Real-World Performance
While improved benchmark scores don’t always guarantee better real-world performance, the Geekbench 6 GPU test measures compute performance for everyday tasks like machine learning and computer vision. Applications that rely on Vulkan graphics API and target GPU features improved by the updated drivers could benefit. The degree of any performance increase will rely on specific app utilization of these features, further additional testing is required to determine the actual boosts on everyday performance.
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