MediaTek is addressing the needs of the consumer looking for a smartphone with a feature phone price with the launch of its MT6572 dual-core SoC. What's so special about this chip is that it's the world's first dual-core SoC to feature integrated Wi-Fi, FM, GPS and Bluetooth functions.
According to the company, the MT6572 is targeted at the entry segment and enables a cost-effective 4-layer PCB design. This cost-optimized, system-level design greatly reduces the e-BOM cost, simplifies the product development and enhances time to market, the company said.
The new 28-nm chip features two Cortex-A7 CPU cores clocked up to 1.2 GHz and the company’s multi-mode Rel. 8 HSPA+/TD-SCDMA modem. Although the GPU aspect is unknown, it supports 3D graphics, video playback and recording up to 720p, a 5MP camera, a display resolution up to 960 x 540 and MiraVision.
"Smartphone adoption is rising across the globe as the price of entry-level smartphones continues to fall. By simplifying system design, MediaTek is a key driver of this trend," commented Linley Gwennap, principal analyst of The Linley Group. "MediaTek’s new dual-core smartphone platform brings features and performance that were recently associated with premium smartphones to mainstream devices. This product will accelerate the shift to dual-core processors in entry-level smartphones."
The new dual-core chip follows the company's flagship MT6589 quad-core HSPA+ platform. It's slated as the world's first commercialized quad-core SoC available for mid- to high-end smartphone and tablet markets. The 28-nm chip packs four Cortex-A7 CPU cores, a PowerVR Series5XT GPU and the company's multi-mode UMTS Rel. 8/HSPA+/TD-SCDMA modem. It supports a 13MP camera with an integrated ISP, Full HD screens and Wireless N.
As for the new MT6572, the chip is being widely adopted by ODM partners, the company said. Consumers around the world can expect "hundreds" of commercial models powered by the MT6572 beginning in June.
