Android GPU Inspector: Open Beta Release
Article Summary
Jay Kong from Google's Gaming and Graphics team just opened the beta for Android GPU Inspector, and early results are impressive. Diablo Immortal cut vertex bandwidth by 45%, while Crash Bandicoot slashed frame times from 16ms to 8ms.
Android GPU Inspector (AGI) is Google's new graphics profiling tool that lets developers peer inside Android device GPUs to find performance bottlenecks. After a limited preview with major game studios, it's now available in open beta for Pixel 4 devices running Android 11.
Key Takeaways
- Shows GPU timeline with hardware counters and Vulkan activity information
- Crash Bandicoot improved GPU frame time from 11-16ms to stable 8ms
- World War Doh reduced GPU frametime by 45% using AGI insights
- Currently supports Pixel 4/4XL, more devices coming via OEM partnerships
Critical Insight
Even with single-device support, AGI delivered measurable performance wins for major mobile games by exposing GPU-level bottlenecks previously hidden from developers.
