MediaTek Helio X20 with deca-core CPU to hit the market next month; faster Helio X25 now official

Just yesterday, we told you about an upcoming handset that will be the flagship model for a new smartphone brand. The Vernee Apollo is expected to be unveiled next month powered by the MediaTek Helio X20 SoC and its deca-core CPU. MediaTek confirmed today that devices carrying the Helio X20 will start hitting the market next month.

At a media event in Shenzhen today, MediaTek's co-COO and EVP Jeffrey Ju also introduced the slightly faster Helio X25 chipset. Instead of a clock speed of 2.3GHz for the Cortex-A72 high performance cluster found on the Helio X20, the clock speed is 2.5GHz on the Helio X25. Another change includes a hike from 780MHz to 850MHz for the Mali-T880 MP4 GPU used on the chip. The Helio X25 will be found exclusively on the unannounced Meizu Pro 6 for a few months before the SoC has a wider release.

Returning to the Helio X20 for a moment, its tri-cluster design allows it to use 30% less power than traditional dual-cluster chips. Computational power is 15% higher. Another feature of the Helio X20 is SilkSwipe, which improves touchscreen response. And MiraVision CrystalView offers smooth 120fps video.

The MediaTek Helio X20 and Helio X25 chipsets are competing with the Snapdragon 820 for the high-end of the market. As a study in contrast, MediaTek went for a deca-core CPU while Qualcomm reduced the number of cores from eight to four. The Snapdragon 820 employs a quad-core CPU that uses the company's home grown Kryo cores.


source: MediaTek via Engadget