Marking its debut into the 64-bit mobile computing market, Intel announced two new Atom processors at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2014.
The chip maker’s new 64-bit Atom processor, codenamed Merrifield and now named Z3480, runs at 2.13GHz and packs PowerVR Series 6 Graphics IP core from Imagination Technologies. The SoC is based on the company’s 22nm Silvermont microarchitecture.
Intel claims that the 64-bit SoC will offer users double the 2D graphics performance of its predecessor and an improved battery life too. Products incorporated with Intel’s Merrifield chip are expected to release in the second quarter.
Intel also revealed information about Moorefield, its next-generation 64-bit quad core Atom processor for Android mobile devices. The new processor will support four cores clocked at up to 2.3GHz, and will include “an enhanced GPU and support for faster memory.” Devices with Moorefield are expected to be available in the second half of the year.
Renee James, Intel Corporation President, in a statement, said: “64 bit computing is moving from the desktop to the mobile device. Intel knows 64-bit computing, and we’re the only company shipping 64-bit processors for mobile devices today capable of supporting both Android and Microsoft Windows”.
In addition, Intel also announced that it has signed new multi-year agreements with Lenovo, Asus, Dell and Foxconn to expand the availability of Intel-based mobile devices. Asus and Lenovo will be launching smartphones and tablets based on Atom processors this year, Dell will launch Android and Windows tablets and Foxconn only Android tablets.
