During the feature phone era, MediaTek processors were the perfect combination of performance and functionality. Their mature solutions, stable performance, and low cost made them a favorite among feature phones. Although many counterfeit devices adopted MediaTek solutions, leading to some negative impacts, the advantages outweighed the disadvantages, and MediaTek’s solutions remained one of the best choices for feature phones.
（OPPO BBK is a representative manufacturer that has perfected feature phones. Image source: Internet）
With the advent of the smartphone era, the demand for processor performance increased dramatically, and MediaTek felt somewhat overwhelmed. Although they tried to keep pace with Qualcomm, they struggled to balance performance and power consumption. Especially with the arrival of the octa-core era, various tests revealed that MediaTek processors would force multiple cores offline to suppress power consumption and avoid overheating. The phrase “When one core is in trouble, nine cores watch” became MediaTek’s most embarrassing situation.
（This construction diagram is often modified into various forms of ridicule. Image source: Internet）
Since MediaTek proposed the concept of “three clusters and ten cores,” they have been working hard on performance optimization from the X10 to the X25. Although the MTK X30 will officially launch next month, its benchmark scores can already be viewed on Geekbench’s official website.
（Image source: Internet）
Single-core performance is around 1260 points, and multi-core performance is around 4000 points. However, this performance is at a clock speed of 1.2GHz, far from the expected 2.8GHz capability of the X30. It is possible that MediaTek is reluctant to reveal the processor’s performance too early to avoid showing all their cards. Achieving performance at less than half of the nominal frequency already meets the standards of mainstream flagship processors in 2016. If they can ensure full power without throttling while managing core scheduling effectively, the performance could be astonishing.
（Comparison with OnePlus 3 using Snapdragon 820 processor benchmark scores. Image source: Internet）
The MediaTek X30 still uses a three-cluster ten-core structure, manufactured with a 10nm process. It includes two Cortex-A73 2.8GHz powerful cores, four Cortex-A53 2.3GHz large cores, and four Cortex-A35 2.0GHz small cores. The GPU is a PowerVR 7XTP with four cores at 820MHz, and memory support has been upgraded to four groups of 16-bit LPDDR4X at 1866MHz, with a maximum capacity of 8GB. It also supports UFS 2.1, integrates an LTE Cat.10 modem, and supports three-carrier aggregation with a maximum download speed of 450Mbps and upload speed of 100Mbps. Overall, the X30 offers a 43% performance improvement and a 53% reduction in power consumption compared to the X20. For consumers, while performance improvement is important, the ability to manage core scheduling effectively without immediate throttling is crucial for ensuring smooth smartphone operation.
The first smartphone to use this processor will be the Apollo 2 from the Vernee brand.
（The Vernee brand still seems somewhat unfamiliar. Image source: Internet）
It is said that smartphones using the Snapdragon 835 processor in China will not be released until June, which means that the MediaTek X30 could claim the title of the first smartphone to use a 10nm process processor in the country.
