MediaTek has released what it claims to be world’s first ‘true octa-core’ processor bearing eight CPU cores – each of which can be clocked to 2GHz.
Also known as MT6592, the octa-core CPU from MediaTek is primarily targeted at smartphones and will be pitched directly against Samsung’s Exynos 5 Octa which is also an eight-core CPU. MediaTek claims that the new octa-core processor will deliver premium gaming performance, while also allowing for better and advanced multi-tasking alongside richer web browsing experience on high-end smartphones and tablets.
Local vendors on China including Lenovo, ZTE, Huawei, Coolpad and Xiaomi have already shown interest in the MediaTek MT6592 and products running Android 4.3 Jelly Bean are expected to be released sometime by the end of 2013 or early 2014.
Samsung’s Exynos 5 Octa is currently the only other 8-core CPU in the market for mobile platforms and is based on ARM’s big.LITTLE processing architecture. The architecture packs two pairs of quad-core ARM Cortex processors – four ARM Cortex-A7 cores and four ARM Cortex-A15 cores – to deliver best possible performance in single package.
Contrary to this MediaTek doesn’t use this architecture and has opted for the same core for all the 8-cores. Based on the 28nm fabrication process, the MT6592 is aid to deliver high performance for mobile applications. The processor also features ClearMotion technology providing a smooth video playback experience by automatically converting standard 24/30 frames per second video to high-quality 60 frames per second video.
The MT6592 has a quad-core graphics engine capable of supporting ultra-HD video resolution and new video codecs. MediaTek has also incorporated advanced multi-mode cellular modem, dual-band 801.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, FM tuner and Miracast screen-sharing capabilities in its MT6592 SoC.
