MediaTek Helio G200: The Latest 4G Smartphone and Tablet Processor
MediaTek just unveiled its latest 4G smartphone and tablet processor, the Helio G200. If you've been tracking their Helio G series, you may experience some déjà vu. This new chip occupies the top spot in their 4G lineup, bumping the Helio G100 that they released last year.
Now, don't expect a radical redesign, but you should know that the Helio G200 shares a great deal of its DNA with its predecessor, the G100 – which took ideas from the earlier G99. Just think of it as an upgraded version rather than a new architecture. They both have the same TSMC 6nm process, and the same basic CPU spec, which is: two high, performance-grade Cortex-A76 cores scorching along at 2.2GHz, and six small, efficient Cortex-A55 cores churning out 2.0GHz. The Mali-G57 MC2 GPU returns after a bit, though with a modest increase from MediaTek in its clock speed, upping it some 10% to 1.1GHz. Support for LPDDR4X RAM (up to 4266 Mbps) and UFS 2.2 storage also remains the same.
So, What's New with the G200
Although the foundations are familiar, MediaTek has included in a few key enhancements, most notably in the camera and connectivity spaces:
- Better HDR Videos: G200 also supports 12-bit DCG (Dual Conversion Gain) for camera support. Put simply, what this means is that your phone can now potentially record HDR videos with better dynamic range and more depth in the details. This technology is usually employed in sensors like the OmniVision OV50H.
- Smarter Camera Power Management: MediaTek claims that it has worked together with developers of the camera app to reduce power consumption by up to 20% when you're snapping images or recording.
- Improved Connectivity in Low Signal Zones: There's a new feature called 4G DC SAR technology that's supposed to improve your social media and messaging apps' performance when your phone signal is low. According to MediaTek, this should cut latency by up to 30% and even extend your connection range by a whopping 83%.
Other than these aspects, the maximum camera resolution (one 200MP or two 16MP) and display support (up to 2520 x 1080 resolution with 120Hz refresh rate) are inherited from the Helio G100.
Performance Pointers
MediaTek is also keen to boast about how the Helio G200 stacks up against what they call "alternative competitor platforms." They're making some bold assertions: 35% higher scores on AnTuTu, a 40% lead on single-core Geekbench and 20% on multi-core, 75% better GPU performance, and even 30% better power efficiency during gaming.
When Can We Expect It
Regarding how soon we can anticipate the first wave of Helio G200-based smartphones and tablets, MediaTek would not give us a date. It's likely, however, that Chinese manufacturers will be among the earliest to release products featuring this new 4G chip in the not-too-distant future.
Source: MediaTek
