As we get closer to the launch of the Google Pixel 6, we are bound to learn more about the in-house Whitechapel system-on-chip that will likely be in Google's phone. And thanks to some new product verification testing (PVT) units, we know a bit more about what Google is working on with the Pixel 6.

Previous leaks suggested that the Whitechapel, internally called the GS101, would not be as good as the Snapdragon 888 found in the major Android phones introduced this year. Instead, estimates for these PVT units put the Whitechapel in about the same position as the Snapdragon 870, which is still quite respectable. Nevertheless, Google is likely aiming for top-tier AI and machine learning performance, rather than making the fastest possible chip, like Apple's A-series chips in the iPhone.

As previously reported, Google is reportedly working with Samsung to develop the chip; it appears that Whitechapel could be manufactured at Samsung's 5nm LPE node. This could theoretically mean a more power-efficient SoC, potentially extending battery life a bit longer than larger processes. Nevertheless, until we see actual performance and metrics, we cannot make such assumptions now.

Whitechapel is believed to use two Cortex-A78 cores, two Cortex-A76 cores, and three Cortex-A55 cores. Rumors also suggest that the chip uses a Mali-G78 GPU, but Google may have found a way around the GPU's notorious throttling problem.

Therefore, the Whitechapel will not be as good as the Snapdragon 888 or Snapdragon 888 Plus, let alone the rumored Snapdragon 895. In actual use, however, most users will not notice any difference in performance.

In fact, Google is expected to really fine-tune the Whitechapel and maximize performance through software optimization. Since the company controls the hardware, it will be able to get the most out of the chip, just as Apple does with the iPhone and the A Bionic chip. That said, the Pixel 6 will not go head-to-head with the upcoming iPhone 13 in terms of performance, but Google could take the lead in AI and machine learning capabilities. We will just have to wait and see.

All of this suggests that the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro should be more than capable and provide a platform for Google to really flex its AI and machine learning muscles. They may also enable long-term support for phones, something that has been a pipe dream for Android users in the past.

Whitechapel may help Google match Apple's level of support, which can go well beyond five years. For example, this fall's iOS 15 update will work on iPhones released in 2015; on the Android side, Qualcomm has been standing in the way of a longer update policy, so most Android manufacturers have been stuck with three-year platform updates.

Last week, leaker Jon Prosser released specs for the upcoming Pixel phones, where he mentioned five years of updates. Google has yet to confirm that, but we're pretty excited.

Finally, there are rumors that Whitechapel may replace the Titan-M chip currently in Pixel phones with a new security chip called Dauntless. We don't know much more about Dauntless at this time, but it should further enhance the Pixel 6's security capabilities.

The Pixel 6 is likely still months away from launch, but leaks and rumors have already revealed much. Still, it seems that Google is preparing a big launch event to bring the Pixel 6 back into the limelight as the definitive Android experience.