MediaTek mobile processors: What’s the difference between ’em?

If you've got an Android smartphone – and let's be honest, since you're reading this you probably do – you've heard of Qualcomm and its Snapdragon processors.

Snapdragon is typically known as the processor of choice for Android smartphones, whether its in a high-end Samsung flagship or an entry-level, T-Mobile-branded ZTE device.

Alas, Qualcomm isn't the only name in the processor game; the China-based MediaTek is its biggest competitor, especially in countries that aren't the U.S.

If you thought Qualcomm's Snapdragon naming conventions were rough, you're for a total loop when it comes to MediaTek processors.

Keep in mind that because a chip supports a technology does not necessarily mean that a phone comes with it. It simply means that the processor could, theoretically, handle such technology.

MediaTek Processors Overview

There are  five categories of MediaTek processors, each with its own set of strengths, weaknesses, and demographics: Helio X, Helio P, Mid-Range, 4G LTE (Entry-Level), and Legacy 3G. For the purposes of this guide we've only listed three processors for each category, and will update each as more are released.

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Helio X (Extreme)

At the top of the MediaTek Helio line of systems-on-chip, MediaTek Helio X series is our extreme performance segment.

The MediaTek Helio X chipsets showcase our most advanced processing architectures, the latest fabrication technologies, and camera and display innovations that set the standard for mobile multimedia features.

Helio chips are MediaTek's bleeding edge of innovation. The X series was intended to be the next generation of mobile computing, featuring the first deca-core mobile processor of its kind, but has struggled mightily to gain traction in a market dominated by budget and mid-range chips. The X series is most closely compared to the Snapdragon's 800-series.

Helio X30

• Announced: February 2017
• 2.6GHz Deca-Core (2×2.6GHz, 4×2.2GHz, 4×1.9GHz)
• IMG PowerVR 7XTP-MT4 GPU (850MHz)
• Up to 8GB RAM
• Up to 16MP Dual Sensor Camera
• 802.11ac WiFi / Bluetooth 5
• Features: CorePilot, EnergySmart Screen, Imagiq, MiraVision, Tiny Sensor Hub

Helio X27

• Announced: December 2016
• 2.6GHz Deca-Core (2×2.6GHz, 4×2.0GHz, 4×16.GHz)
• ARM Mali-T880 MP4 GPU (875MHz)
• Up to 4GB RAM
• Up to 32MP Single Sensor Camera
• 802.11ac WiFi / Bluetooth 4
• Features: CorePilot, Imagiq, MiraVision, SmartScreen, Tiny Sensor Hub, UltraDimming

Helio X25

• Announced: March 2016
• 2.5GHz Deca-Core (2×2.5GHz, 4×2.0GHz, 4×1.55GHz)
• ARM Mali-T880 MP4 (850MHz)
• Up to 4GB RAM
• Up to 32MP Single Sensor Camera
• 802.11ac WiFi / Bluetooth
• Features: CorePilot, Imagiq, MiraVision, SmartScreen, Tiny Sensor Hub, UltraDimming

Helio P (Performance)

The MediaTek Helio P segment chipsets are designed for slim profile smartphones.

With the MediaTek Helio P series, we focused on optimizing the systems-on-chip for battery efficiency without overly-compromising on performance and user experience. Premium MediaTek Helio features like multimedia and connectivity are still central to its design.

As mentioned elsewhere, MediaTek's Helio chips are its pride and joy. The P series has performed much better than its X series, becoming the main mast of MediaTek's flagship line. The P series is comparable to Qualcomm's Snapdragon 600-series, in both features and power.

Helio P60

Announced: February 2018
Octa-Core 2.0GHz
ARM Mali-G72 MP3 GPU (800MHz)
Up to 8GB RAM
Up to 24+16MP Dual-Sensor Camera
802.11ac WiFi / Bluetooth 4
Features: CorePilot, Imagiq, NeuroPilot, Pump Express, Pump Express Wireless, AI Accelerator

Helio P30

Announced: August 2017
Octa-Core 2.3GHz
ARM Mali-G71 MP2  GPU (950MHz)
Up to 6GB RAM
Up to 16MP Dual-Sensor Camera
802.11ac WiFi / Bluetooth 4
Features: CorePilot, EnergySmart Screen, Imagiq, MiraVision

Helio P25

Announced: February 2017
Octa-Core 2.6GHz
ARM Mali-T880 MP2  GPU (1GHz)
Up to 4GB RAM
Up to 13MP Dual-Sensor Camera
802.11ac WiFi / Bluetooth 4
Features: CorePilot, Imagiq, MiraVision

Mid-Range

These chipsets aim at democratizing powerful hardware to enable very capable, yet cost effective Android smartphones.

MediaTek provides price : performance focused octa-core system-on-chips with CAT-4 and CAT-6 WorldMode 4G LTE connectivity, premium technologies such as MiraVision, Smartscreen and Pump Express, and advanced camera and ISP functionality.

This is where things get a bit muddy. Rather than being labeled with a letter, the Mid-Range and below processors are simply assigned a number. The Mid-Range and 4G LTE categories all begin with MT67, followed by a two-digit number. Mid-Range MediaTek processors are equivalent to Snapdragon's 600 series.

MT6753

• Announced: March 2015
• Octa-Core 1.5GHz
• ARM Mali-T720 GPU
• Up to 16MP Single-Sensor Camera
• 802.11n WiFi
• Bluetooth 4
• Features: CorePilot

MT6752

• Announced: February 2014
• Octa-Core 1.7GHz
• ARM Mali-T760 GPU
• Up to 16MP Single-Sensor Camera
• 802.11n WiFi
• Bluetooth 4
• Features: CorePilot

MT6750

• Announced: January 2016
• Octa-Core 1.5GHz
• ARM Mali-T860 MP2 GPU (520MHz)
• Up to 24MP Single-Sensor Camera
• Up to 4GB RAM
• 802.11n
• Bluetooth 4

4G LTE (Entry-Level)

MediaTek provides powerful quad-core system-on-chip products with CAT-4 and CAT-6 WorldMode 4G LTE connectivity targeting entry level 4G Android smartphones.

These bring high performance, 64-bit hardware with fast connectivity and highly integrated functionality in a cost effective way to value-orientated smartphone upgrades.

Again denoted by the 67XX designation, the 4G LTE Entry-Level category represents the basic modern smartphone. It features LTE bands and radio, but lacks any kind of hard processing power. This line compares well to the Snapdragon 400-series.

MT6739

• Announced: September 2017
• Quad-Core 1.5GHz
• IMG PowerVR GE8100 GPU (570MHz)
• Up to 13MP Single-Sensor Camera
• Up to 3GB RAM
• 802.11n WiFi
• Bluetooth 4

MT6738

• Announced: January 2016
• Quad-Core 1.5GHZ
• ARM Mali-T860 MP2 GPU (350MHz)
• Up to 13MP Single-Sensor Camera
• Up to 4GB RAM
• 802.11n WiFi / Bluetooth 4
• Features: MiraVision,  Pump Express 2.0,  SmartScreen

MT6737

• Announced: September 2017
• Quad Core 1.5GHz
• ARM Mali-T720 MP2 GPU (600MHz)
• Up to 13MP Single-Sensor Camera
• Up to 3GB RAM
• 802.11n WiFi / Bluetooth 4
• Features: MiraVision,  Pump Express 2.0

Legacy 3G (Entry-Level)

Our 32-bit smartphone chipsets with 3G/HSPA connectivity provide a cost-optimized entry point, with a system-level design that simplifies product development, reduces manufacturing costs and speeds up the time to market.

The most budget processors MediaTek offers, Legacy 3G SoCs are denoted by the 65XX designation. They're cheap, and not much else. 1.3GHz in a processor isn't going to run much these days.

MT6582

• Announced: July 2013
• Quad-Core 1.3GHz
• Up to 13MP Single-Sensor Camera
• 802.11n WiFi
• Bluetooth 4

MT6580

• Announced: December 2017
• Quad-Core 1.3GHz
• ARM Mali-400 MP2 (500Mhz)
• Up to 13MP Single Sensor Camera
• 802.11n WiFi
• Bluetooth 4

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