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MediaTek Dimensity 1000 octa-core SoC promises 5G for the masses when it launches in 2020

MediaTek Dimensity 1000 octa-core SoC promises 5G for the masses when it launches in 2020
MediaTek Dimensity 1000 octa-core SoC promises 5G for the masses when it launches in 2020
The 5G SoC will support 90 Hz QHD displays, up to 16 GB of quad-channel LPDDR4x RAM, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, hexa-core AI processor, download/upload speeds of up to 4.7/2.5 Gbps, and more with the promise of faster performance than the current Qualcomm Snapdragon 855.

While a handful of 5G smartphones are already available today, they are all prohibitively expensive. The Samsung Galaxy S10 5G, for example, currently retails for $1300 unlocked. MediaTek hopes to be the catalyst for 5G adoption next year by launching an all-in-one SoC solution that integrates an octa-core CPU, octa-core Mali-G77 MC9 GPU, hexa-core AI APU, and a 5G modem for more affordable smartphones.

Called the Dimensity 1000, the flagship SoC will be the first in a series of SoCs with integrated support for 2G, 3G, 4G, and sub-6 GHz 5G networks. MediaTek is also claiming it to be the world's first SoC to support 5G dual-SIM for better worldwide appeal and versatility. While single-SIM smartphones are still prevalent in the U.S., most smartphones overseas tend to carry two SIM slots.

We suspect that mid-range and budget 5G SoCs from MediaTek will trickle throughout the rest of the year as derivatives of the flagship Dimensity 1000. This approach to launching the high-end SKU first before the lesser SKUs is a strategy that Nvidia employs for its GeForce series of GPUs.

As per the press release, key features include:

  • World’s First Dual 5G SIM: With the world’s first dual 5G SIM technology, in addition to support for services such as Voice over New Radio (VoNR), the 5G SoC delivers seamless connectivity across networks and offers consistent speeds.  
  • Most Power Efficient 5G Modem: The chipset’s integrated 5G modem delivers extreme energy efficiency and is a more power efficient design than competing solutions. This compact, integrated design also lets brands use the extra space for other features like a bigger battery or larger camera sensors.
  • Seamless Handover: With 5G carrier aggregation, the chipset posts higher average speeds and performs a seamless handover between two connection areas (high speed layer and coverage layer) for seamless high speed connections when users are on the go.  
  • Unparalleled Imaging: With the world’s first five-core image signal processor (ISP) combined with MediaTek’s Imagiq+ technology, Dimensity 1000 provides a truly extraordinary camera and video experience. The chipset supports 80MP cameras sensors at 24 frames per second  and a range of multi-camera options such as 32+16MP dual cameras. 
  • Powerful APU Camera & Video Support: The APU supports advanced AI-camera enhancements for autofocus, auto exposure, auto white balance, noise reduction, high-dynamic-range (HDR) and facial detection, along with the world’s first multi-frame video HDR capability. 
  • Stunning Graphics and Video: The chipset delivers stunning graphics with support for Full HD+ displays up to 120Hz and 2K+ up to 90Hz. Dimensity 1000 is the first mobile SoC to support Google AV1 format up to 4K resolution at 60fps, elevating the video streaming experience to new levels.  

 “Our Dimensity series is a culmination of MediaTek’s investment in 5G and positions us as a leader driving 5G development and innovation. Our 5G technology goes head-to-head with anyone in the industry,” said MediaTek President Joe Chen.

While MediaTek hasn't announced any specific consumer smartphones that will come equipped with the new Dimensity 1000 SoC, they say we can expect the first devices to become available during the first half of 2020. In other words, a handful of models will likely be announced at CES 2020. MediaTek is near-ubiquitous in smart home items such as voice-activated speakers, smart TVs, and routers. If any company can make 5G smartphones affordable, MediaTek would be the one.

 

Taipei, Taiwan – November 26, 2019 – MediaTek today unveiled Dimensity, MediaTek’s family of 

powerful 5G system-on-chips (SoCs) offering an unrivaled combination of connectivity, multimedia, AI 

and imaging innovations for premium and flagship smartphones.  

The MediaTek Dimensity 5G chipset family brings smart and fast together to power the world’s most 

capable 5G devices. Dimensity represents a step toward a new era of mobility – the fifth dimension – to 

spur industry innovation and let consumers unlock the possibilities of 5G connectivity. 

Dimensity 1000 is MediaTek’s first 5G mobile SoC in its 5G family of chipsets. The single 5G chip solution, 

with its integrated 5G modem, is a brilliant combination of advanced technologies packed into a 7nm 

chip and tuned for 5G performance. 

“Our Dimensity series is a culmination of MediaTek’s investment in 5G and positions us as a leader 

driving 5G development and innovation. Our 5G technology goes head-to-head with anyone in the 

industry,” said MediaTek President Joe Chen.  

“We chose the name Dimensity to highlight how our 5G solutions are driving new waves of innovation 

and experiences, much like the fabled fifth dimension,” added Chen. “Our first announced chip, 

MediaTek Dimensity 1000, gives consumers a significantly faster, more intelligent and all-around 

incredible mobile experience.” 

The first Dimensity powered devices will start hitting the market in Q1 of 2020.    

The Dimensity series integrates MediaTek’s 5G modem in one compact design, delivering significant 

power savings compared to competing solutions. 

The Dimensity 1000 5G SoC supports 5G two carrier aggregation (2CC CA) and boasts the world’s fastest 

throughput SoC with 4.7Gbps downlink and 2.5Gbps uplink speeds over sub-6GHz networks.  The 

chipset is designed to support stand alone and non-stand alone (SA/NSA) sub-6GHz networks, and 

includes multi-mode support for every cellular connectivity generation from 2G to 5G.  

It also integrates the latest Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1+ standards for the fastest and most efficient local 

wireless connectivity, offering more than 1Gbps throughput in both downlink and uplink speeds  

Dimensity 1000 is a performance powerhouse, pairing four Arm Cortex-A77 cores operating up to 

2.6GHz with four power-efficient Arm Cortex-A55 cores operating at up to 2.0GHz. This design enables 

an optimal balance of high performance and power-efficiency. The chipset is also the world’s first to 

pack Arm Mali-G77 GPU to enable seamless streaming and gaming at 5G speeds.  

MediaTek’s Dimensity 1000 also comes with a new MediaTek AI Processing Unit – APU 3.0 – with more 

than double the performance of the previous generation APU. It brings devices a significant 

performance boost at 4.5 TOPS.    

Features and technology in the MediaTek Dimensity 1000 include: 

  World’s First Dual 5G SIM: With the world’s first dual 5G SIM technology, in addition to support 

for services such as Voice over New Radio (VoNR), the 5G SoC delivers seamless connectivity 

across networks and offers consistent speeds.  

  Most Power Efficient 5G Modem: The chipset’s integrated 5G modem delivers extreme energy 

efficiency and is a more power efficient design than competing solutions. This compact, 

integrated design also lets brands use the extra space for other features like a bigger battery or 

larger camera sensors.  

  Seamless Handover: With 5G carrier aggregation, the chipset posts higher average speeds and 

performs a seamless handover between two connection areas (high speed layer and coverage 

layer) for seamless high speed connections when users are on the go.  

  Unparalleled Imaging: With the world’s first five-core image signal processor (ISP) combined 

with MediaTek’s Imagiq+ technology, Dimensity 1000 provides a truly extraordinary camera and 

video experience. The chipset supports 80MP cameras sensors at 24 frames per second  and a 

range of multi-camera options such as 32+16MP dual cameras. 

  Powerful APU Camera & Video Support: The APU supports advanced AI-camera enhancements 

for autofocus, auto exposure, auto white balance, noise reduction, high-dynamic-range (HDR) 

and facial detection, along with the world’s first multi-frame video HDR capability. 

  Stunning Graphics and Video: The chipset delivers stunning graphics with support for Full HD+ 

displays up to 120Hz and 2K+ up to 90Hz. Dimensity 1000 is the first mobile SoC to support 

Google AV1 format up to 4K resolution at 60fps, elevating the video streaming experience to 

new levels.  

“Dimensity 1000 brings the latest connectivity, multimedia, AI, imaging and gaming innovations, all 

tuned for 5G performance to consumers so they can expect incredible experiences with Dimensity 

powered 5G devices,” said Chen. 

Dimensity 1000 is designed for global sub-6GHz 5G networks that are launching in Asia, North America 

and Europe. For more information and specifications visit the MediaTek Dimensity 5G solutions page.  

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2019 11 > MediaTek Dimensity 1000 octa-core SoC promises 5G for the masses when it launches in 2020
Allen Ngo, 2019-11-26 (Update: 2019-11-26)