Again MediaTek against Qualcomm

We are closely examining modern chipsets in smartphones, which are in the price range of 5000-8000 rubles. The range includes: MediaTek MT6737T, MT6753, Helio p10 and MT6750 , Qualcomm Snapdragon 410, 425, 430, 435 and 615.

Again MediaTek against Qualcomm

This price group also includes Hi Silicon Kirin 620 and Samsung Exynos 3475. But since the companies Huawei and Samsung do not sell their chipsets as separate platforms to third-party manufacturers, there is very little information. A review will be done separately if I receive replies to the relevant inquiries made.

  1. CPU and GPU
  2. RAM, ROM and SD
  3. Modems
  4. Sound
  5. conclusions

410

Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 contains a 4-core CPU with the usual ARM Cortex A-53 architecture. 32 and 64-bit operating modes are supported. The cores operate at the lower 'official' frequency of 1.2 GHz and do not differ from those discussed earlier in MediaTek MT6737. As the study will show, it is no different from those in 425, 430 and 435 (8 pieces in the last two), all of them are manufactured according to the 'old' 28nm process (like all today's chipsets).

GPU Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 is represented by Adreno 306, which does not differ in performance from Adreno 305. But it added the ability to display images on the screen up to 1900×1200 pixels and image transmission using Miracast ™ technology in HD 720p. In all other respects: All the same 450 MHz, all the same OpenGl ES 3.0, OpenCL 1.1 and DirectX 9.3. Needless to say, the gaming capabilities of the chipset are extremely small?

425

Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 contains the same cluster of 4 ARM Cortex A-53 cores. The difference from the cores in the 410th is reduced to a slightly higher operating frequency – 1.4 GHz (versus 1.2).

The GPU companion is Adreno 308. Significant differences from the notorious 305: Added hardware support for 'Qualcomm TruPalette ™' technology (adjusting the image by juiciness, brightness, etc.) and 'Qualcomm EcoPix ™' (for smartphones it does not matter, it is used when manufacturing and customization of smart billboards based on this chipset). There is very little information on this GPU, but you inevitably come to the conclusion that the difference between the Adreno 305, 306 and 308 boils down only to 'weighting' the 305 with additional features that do not affect its performance in any way. At the same time, as if ashamed of its own brainchild, Qualcomm forgets to indicate the DirectX version (apparently the previous 9.3), but does not forget to indicate the relatively current version of OpenGL ES 3.0. Among other things, support for displays up to 1080p and the claimed reduction in power consumption. Some sources claim that the Adreno 308 operates at 500 MHz (versus 450 for its predecessors), but this was not verified.

430

The Snapdragon 430 CPU is Qualcomm's first budget chipset with 8 Cortex A-53 cores. They operate at the upper limit of the nominal frequency of 1.4 GHz. As practice shows, the performance gain in comparison with 4-core counterparts is still the same 30% (just a bewitched figure). Alas, miracles do not happen, most applications for Android still use 1-2 threads. But 8 cores contribute to the smooth operation of the smartphone with a large number of running applications. But when you launch the application immediately after restarting the smartphone, you will not feel any special advantages from the '8-core'.

The Adreno 505 GPU found in Snapdragon 430 and 435 runs at 450 MHz. This is quite a modern video processor that supports libraries and image processing technologies OpenGL ES 3.1, OpenCL 2.0 full, DirectX 11.2, HW Tessellation and Geometry Shading. Compared to the lower benchmark in the face of the Adreno 305, the 505th demonstrates a performance increase in games more than doubled. You can easily verify this by looking at dozens of game tests (as I did). This chipset is already suitable for gaming at medium-high graphics settings in most applications. Screens up to 1920×1200 pixels are supported.

435

CPU Snapdragon 435 is no different from the same in the 430th. All the stories about the 'overclocked version' turned out to be untenable. The difference between the chipsets is different, but more on that below.

GPU Adreno 505, as in the 430th. With the same frequency of 450 Mhz, with all the ensuing consequences.

615

The 615 is a controversial chipset that Qualcomm engineers have experimented with. Two clusters of 4 Cortex A-53 cores operate at frequencies of 1.5 and 1.0 GHz, respectively. In 'processor-dependent' tests and applications, the Snapdragon 615 will be very slightly inferior to its 'younger brothers' 430 and 435.

The GPU Adreno 405, oddly enough, is more productive than the 505 (in 3DMark + 22%). Maybe it's a renamed video processor from the older 8xx segment? For example, Adreno 330? This is evidenced by the support for screens up to 2560 × 1600 pixels and a frequency of 550 MHz. Supported libraries include OpenGL ES 3.1, DirectX 11.2, OpenCL Full Profile, tessellation and geometry shading. Of all the Qualcomms we've reviewed, the 615 is the most suitable for gaming.

MT6737T

Instead of a thousand words, the MT6737T differs from the MT6737 only by the increased clock frequency of a cluster of 4 Cortex A-53 cores to 1.5 GHz (versus 1.3 GHz).

GPU MT6737T is represented by the Mali-T720 MP2 video processor, clocked at 600 MHz. And, despite its 'two-headedness', it is still equal to Adreno 305/306, 'defeating' only the slightly slower Adreno 304. Mali-T720 MP2 is in Intel Atom x3-C3440, Exynos 3475 and others budget devices. At the same time, optimists from MediaTek promise support for screens up to 1920 x 1080 pixels. Needless to say, buying a device with such a screen and this chipset is a bad idea?

MT6753

CPU MT6753 is represented by two clusters of 4 Cortex A-53 cores. One cluster operates at 1.3 GHz, the other at 1.5 GHz. Their simultaneous operation at MediaTek was named 'MediaTek Core Pilot'. MT6753 uses 'Core Pilot' version 1.0. I did not find a difference with the standard capabilities of ARM 'Heterogeneous Multi-Processing' (Cortex A-53 standard of 2013), the situation is from the category of 'we plowed with an ox'. You can also safely say that the performance of the CPU MT6753 is equal to the CPU Qualcomm Snapdragon 430-435.

A single-core Mali-T720 is used as a GPU. The declared support for FullHD screens is perplexing. Whatever one may say, Mali-T720 in this configuration is much inferior to Adreno 505 and 405 in Snapdragon 430, 435 and 615. So, playing normal games with such a chipset will not work.

Helio P10

CPU Helio P10, bearing the second name MT8785 (for tablets), is 8 cores in two clusters of 4 Cortex A53 cores, operating at 2.0 and 1.2 GHz. If this gives an advantage over 1.3 and 1.5 GHz in MT6753, then it will not work to see the difference with 8 1.4 GHz cores in Snapdragon 430/435.

GPU Helio P10 is its strong point relative to MT6753. ARM Mali-T860 MP2, clocked at 700 MHz, is approximately equal to Adreno 505, but inferior to Adreno 405 by 20-22% (In 3DMark). Devices with this chipset can be recommended as 'gaming' ones, most games of 2016-2017 will run smoothly at medium-high graphics settings.

MT6750

Released later than all the contestants, Mediatek MT6750 is a 'stripped down' version of the Helio P10.

Judge for yourself: the CPUs are still the same 4×4 Cortex A-53, the cluster frequency is reduced to 1.0 and 1.5 GHz. GPU Mali –T860 MP2 operates at 520 MHz (versus 700 in P10). As a result, the CPU is weaker than those in the 430 and 435, and the GPU is only slightly ahead of the Adreno 305, 306 and 308, very much inferior to the Adreno 505 and 405.

410

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 uses RAM type LPDDR2 and 3 with a frequency of 533 MHz, work with drives is carried out according to the JEDEC E.MMC 4.5 standard (up to 200 MB / s on the bus). The old man shows typical averages. Starting with the next chipsets, we will no longer see LPDDR2 RAM, Qualcomm has completely abandoned it. Any memory cards available on the market are supported, I think it makes no sense to return to them. As before, any restrictions on the amount of memory cards can be deliberately introduced by the smartphone developer, at the software level, in order to build their 'flagship-not-flagship' line.

425

In Qualcomm Snapdragon 425, the RAM operates at 667 MHz, the drive is operated according to the E.MMC 5.1 standard (up to 400 MB / sec on the bus). According to these parameters, the chipset seems to be 'stuck' between the old and new generation of Qualcomm.

430 and 435

Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 and 435 work with LPDDR3 RAM at 800 MHz, reminiscent of the flagships of the first generation of the 800 series. JEDEC standards have been forgotten in the official specifications of the new Qualcomm, so we will count on the best.

615

Snapdragon 615 uses LPDDR3 RAM at 800 MHz, we can still see how to work with drives (the chipset came out up to 430/435), it works according to the E.MMC 4.51 standard (up to 200 MB / s).

The new Snapdragon 430 and 435 surprised us with 'high-speed' RAM in the budget segment.

Мт6737Т

МТ6737T will please with significantly overclocked RAM as compared to its predecessor МТ6737, the frequency of which is 733 MHz versus 640 MHz. But the support for LPDDR2 memory spoils everything. We have already talked about the manufacturer's desire to save money and supply a slower and cheaper LPDDR2, which at a maximum frequency of 533 MHz is twice as low as LPDDR3 at 800 MHz. Communication with the drive is carried out using a completely modern E.MMC 5.0, with backward compatibility with the previous standards like 4.5 at a speed of 26 MB / s (bus). I am specifically writing about this again, because there is still no trust in specific Chinese smartphone manufacturers.

MT6753

Company MediaTek does not indicate RAM and ROM in MT6753. Therefore, there will be no information, as well as fortune-telling on the coffee grounds of Wikipedia and other unreliable sources.

Helio P10

Helio P10 pleases with its 933 MHz RAM and its LPDDR3 type. The data transfer rate on the bus in the drive is carried out according to the E.MMC 5.1 standard (up to 400 MB / s).

MT6750

MT6750, as befits a stripped-down 'flagship of the middle segment', uses LPDDR3 RAM at 667 MHz (versus 933 MHz in P10). Hence, its modest performance in gaming tests and lag from 430/435 on all fronts. The drive will work according to the E.MMC 5.1 standard (up to 400 MB / sec), if the manufacturer of a particular smartphone does not save on it.

410

Unlike Snapdragon 210, in the specifications of Snapdragon 410 there is no mention of the use of Qualcomm's proprietary X-series LTE Global Mode modem, they simply indicate 'Integrated 4G LTE Global Mode modem'. The 'X' series modems are a pride of Qualcomm and they wouldn't just keep silent. This can only be said by involving the development of an unknown contractor. However, Supported: LTE FDD, LTE TDD, WCDMA (3C-HSDPA, DC-HSUPA), CDMA1x, EV-DO Rev. B, TD-SCDMA and GSM / EDGE. LTE Cat 4150 Mbps download and 50 Mbps upload information. VoLTE services, HD voice, native video calling, RCS, LTE support on two SIM cards (DSDS).

Navigation capabilities are provided by support for GPS, GLONASS and BeiDou. If you don't see them in the official Qualcomm specifications, don't be alarmed, since 410 they are not indicated separately, they have moved to the Location section and are hiding in the 'Qualcomm® IZat ™ location technology Gen8C'. The fact is that Qualcomm does not make a fundamental difference between receiving a navigation signal from a satellite, connecting to a Wi-Fi router and receiving an LTE signal. All incoming radio signals of any kind go through a multi-stage amplifier and modem.

There are also VoLTE, HD voice, native video calling, RCS, LTE support on two SIM cards (DSDS).

Wireless data connectivity capabilities are also provided by Wi-Fi 802.11n (2.4GHz) and BT 4.1. This is the weakest part in the Snapdragon 410.

425

The Snapdragon 425 contains the 'Integrated X6 LTE modem with Snapdragon All Mode', which supports all of the above communication standards and types, including navigation. A distinctive feature of the X6 is the transmission of information via an LTE channel (Cat 4) at a speed of 75 Mb / s, instead of the standard 50 Mb / s.

Wireless data connections are represented by Wi-Fi 802.11ac (with support (MU-MIMO, it is recommended to study it yourself, so too much text) and BT4.1 + BLE.

430

The Snapdragon 430 boasts an 'Integrated X6 LTE modem' providing all the required communication protocols.

435

So we got to the difference between Snapdragon 430 and 435. And this difference is very significant, since the Qualcomm X9 proprietary modem was placed in Snapdragon 435, with LTE Cat 7 support for download (300 MB / sec, up to 4 channels simultaneously 57 Mbps) and Cat 13 characteristics for sending information (150 Mbps over two channels simultaneously up to 75 Mbps).

Services, navigation and wireless connectivity remain the same as in the 430.

615

The Snapdragon 615 unfortunately does not contain a QuaLcomm 'X' series modem. However, the integrated 4G LTE modem is very similar to that of the Snapdragon 410 and, in principle, will provide the user with decent communication and transmission over the LTE Cat 4 channel (150/50 Mbps download / upload).

Of particular interest is the Wi-Fi connection, carried out using technology from Qualcomm VIVE 1-stream 802.11n / ac. What is it streamers and fans of virtual reality already know, and not knowing, sorry, there is too much text.

MT6737T

Traditionally for budget MTK, MT6737T supports CDMA2000, EDGE, FDD / TDD LTE, HSPA +, TD-SCDMA. As before, compared to Qualcomm, CDMA 2000 support is exclusive to Chinese chipsets. LTE works in the standard for CAT 4 frames of 150/50 Mbit / s download / upload.

From the navigation capabilities, added hardware support for GPS, Glonass and Beidou. Let me remind you that MT6737 had only GPS.

The set is complemented by Wi-Fi a / b / g / n and an unknown variety Bluetooth.

MT6753

All communication indicators are similar to МТ6737T. Do you know what's the funniest thing? You will not find information anywhere about hardware navigation support in MT6753. The manufacturer does not provide this information. And even the most advanced tech sites don't have this information. They just keep it quiet. We will not lead each other by the nose, ignore or invent. The logic is simple – if it is not indicated on the official website, then there is no such support in this chipset. This does not negate the possibility of desoldering satellite receivers separately on the motherboard and support for working with them at the software level.

Helio P10

In the description of this chipset, we see for the first time a certain modem MediaTek Cat 6, together with which the MT6300 power stabilization microcircuit works, which optimizes power consumption and prevents the chipset from overheating under load. 'MediaTek Cat 6' can work with the usual Chinese dialing (including CDMA 2000), the data transfer rate for LTE Cat 6 is 300/50 Mbps download / upload.

All systems are supported from navigation: GPS, Glonass, Beidou and Galileo.

Wireless data connections are represented by Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, of unknown origin and capabilities.

MT6750

As befits a stub from Helio P10, MT6750 repeats all the advantages and disadvantages of a parent with regards to communication.

The mid-junior segment Qualcomm Snapdragon 4xx boasts well-proven Crystal clear voice calls technology (all except Snapdragon 410 and 615). Good sound.

The sound in MediaTek is very vendor dependent. The owners of smartphones like Meizu M5S and HOMTOM HT20 Pro initially stand in unequal conditions. And, the less a smartphone costs, the less you will hear and you will be heard.

The most balanced in terms of price and features, as always, turned out to be Qualcomm's chipsets, namely 430 and 435. Helio P10 turned out to be a dull piece of work, which they are trying to sell dearly, and MT6750 turned out to be its 'stub'. Do not agree? Write about it, we will discuss it.

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