Quad-Core MT6589 processor released by MediaTek

MediaTek Inc. has announced its first quad-core System on Chip (SOC) processor on December 11, 2012. Finbar Moynihan, who is the spokesperson for the Taiwanese chipmaker said that it was not one of the first processors to be announced, but it was one of the first that would be shipped. He had also showed a brief demo of the processor earlier in the week. The new processor is known as the MT6589.

The year 2013 will see chips being released from Qualcomm as well. However, MediaTek’s chips are to be released in the first quarter of the year, whereas Qualcomm’s chips will be released in the second half of 2013.

MediaTek bases their business around them being able to manufacture processors that can be used in smartphones. Now, with the release of the new chip MediaTek is looking to break into the mid-to-high end tablet and Android phone markets, leaving behind its tradition of sticking to the cheaper smartphone markets.

The MT6589 is power friendly and allows the smartphone to utilize various features such as 3D cameras with ease. This will come in handy in emerging markets according to Finbar, as these entry-level phones could be used as a decent camera as well. China is one such emerging market for the company, which will be nurtured as it tries to get a foothold in the competitive US environment.