Last year’s Google Pixel 6 & Pixel 6 Pro took the smartphone world by storm when they launched because, for the first time, we got proper high-end premium flagships from Google with upgrades in every single department when compared to the last generation Pixel phones. This year, we are expecting the Google Pixel 7 & Pixel 7 Pro to launch in October as well, but months before their launch, 9To5Google has shared some details that include the codenames, the chipset, and modem version.
The Google Tensor chip that powers the Pixel 6 series has the model number ‘GS101’ (codenamed Whitechapel), and we already know that the 2nd generation Google Tensor chip has the model number ‘GS201’. Based on these details, some more details of this chip were found in the Android 13 Developer Preview. 9To5Google got to know that GS201 features a Samsung Modem with the model number ‘g5300b’. Now, in case you do not know, Samsung made the first-gen Tensor chip, and that chip had the Exynos Modem 5123 (model number ‘g5123b’).
Looking at the model number ‘g5300b’, it suggests that the 2nd gen Google Tensor chip has the Exynos Modem 5300, which is not yet launched by Samsung.
9To5Google also found not one or two but three codenames associated with Exynos Modem 5300. These are ‘Cheetah,’ ‘Panther’ and ‘Ravenclaw.’ It was found that Google Pixel 7 is codenamed ‘Cheetah, ‘ whereas the Pixel 7 Pro bears the codename ‘Panther.’ You may think what’s the use of these codenames. Still, when it comes to details of unreleased devices, these internal codenames and model numbers are very helpful.
What about ‘Ravenclaw’? It is most likely not some upcoming phone by Google but just a Pixel 6 Pro having the 2nd gen Tensor chip in it. This is because previously as well before Google even launched Pixel 6 in 2020, the company tested this phone with its first-gen Tensor chip instead of Snapdragon 765G. This Pixel 6 with a Tensor chip was internally codenamed ‘Whitefin’ where ‘White’ was taken from ‘Whitechapel’ (Tensor chip’s codename) and ‘fin’ from ‘redfin’ (Pixel 6’s codename).
So, ‘Ravenclaw’ is most probably a similar mashup of Pixel 6 Pro and 2nd gen Tensor chip since the Pixel 6 Pro is codenamed ‘Raven.’ As for ‘claw,’ that might be a reference to the ‘G201’ chip as it is related to Pixel 7 and 7 Pro’s cat-like codenames.
Well, as of now, that’s all we know about the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro, but with months left for the launch, we will surely get to know a lot in the coming months. Stay tuned.