MediaTek chipsets enable Micromax, Spice to launch affordable dual-core smartphones

MediaTek’s dual-core MT6577 SoC is facilitating reducing the costs of dual-core smartphones. Micromax is scheduled to launch a new variant of its Superfone A90 with this chip alongside Spice, which will launch the Mi 500.

MediaTek has packed in some serious firepower in this chipset. The chip is clocked at 1GHz with two cores based on the ARM A9 architecture. It also combines a PowerVR Series 5 GPU along with Mediatek’s 3G/HSPA modem. All this means that phones running this particular SoC can support up to 8-megapixel cameras with 1080p recording, 720p displays, along with dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS and FM radio.

MediaTek says this chipset can bring down the cost of smartphones with dual-core processors below $200 (approximately Rs 11,000). The most affordable smartphone from a tier one vendor, like the Sony Xperia U, costs upwards of Rs 15,000. Having said that, it the performance of the chipset remains to be seen, especially its power management, heating and 3G performance, parameters that Qualcomm is trying to differentiate itself.