MediaTek’s 10-core Helio X20 to hit market next month – Helio X25 is another improved version

MediaTek shared about its Helio X20 chipset featuring deca-core processor for high-end smartphones in May last year. The company has now announced that the Helio X20 will first hit the market in a smartphone next month.

Helio X20 is a Tri-Cluster design to handle different types of workloads that allows it to use 30% less power than traditional dual-cluster chipsets. Comparatively, the chip offers 15% higher computational power. Helio X20 also features SilkSwipe which improves in touchscreen response.

The Helio X20 features the recently launched Imagiq ISP that supports 3D camera sensors for live Bokeh effect in video recording and RWWB sensors which improves in light sensitivity than conventional RGB sensors. It supports MiraVision CrystalView that offers smooth 120fps video for better VR experience.

It’s worth reminding that MediaTek Helio X20 chipset is said to compete with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 820. While the pioneer in making the first octa-core processor, MediaTek is moving on with deca-core CPU, Qualcomm has reduced the number of cores back to four in Snapdragon 820 that features a quad-core CPU using company’s own Kryo cores.

Along with the X20’s development, MediaTek also introduced an improved and faster version of the chipset named as Helio X25. Unlike the clock-speed of 2.3GHz in X20 for Cortex-A72, the improved X25 will be clocked at 2.5GHz. Another improvement is in the Mali-T880 MP4 GPU which is clocked at 850MHz on Helio X25 instead of 780MHz.

As reported by Engadget, at the MediaTek event – Meizu president Bai Yongxiang revealed that the Helio X25 will exclusively be featured in their next flagship smartphone Meizu Pro 6.

MediaTek Helio X20 Technical Specifications

MediaTek Helio X20
Process 20nm
Apps CPU 2x Cortex-A72 @ 2.5GHz
4x Cortex-A53 @ 2.0GHz
4x Cortex-A53 @ 1.4GHz
Memory 2x LPDDR3 POP 933MHz up to
4GB eMMC 5.1
Camera 32MP @ 24fps / 25MP @ 30 fps w/ZSD
Dual ISP w/Improved 3A/denoise /
demonsalc/sharpness/Native3D
Video Decode 4Kx2K 10 bit 30fps H.264/265/VP9,
30% power improvement
Video Encode 4Kx2K 30fps H.265 w/HDR,
40% power improvement
Graphics ARM Mali GPU
Display WQXGA 2560×1600 60fps
FHD 1920×1080 120fps
w/12 HW Blending Layer
Modem LTE FDD/TDD R11 Cat-6 with 20+20 CA
(300/50Mbps) DC-HSPA+, TD-SCDMA,EDGE
CDMA2000 1x/EVDO Rev.A (SRLTE)
LTE/GPS Co-clock Supported
RF Single RF for LTE/WCDMA/TD/EDGE/C2K
14/14 Primary/Diversity RX Ports
Connectivity Integrated Wi-Fi 802.11ac w/throughout up to
280Mbps GPS/Glonass/Beidou
w/ Improved TTFF & Drift, BT/FM