MediaTek announces Helio G35, Helio G25 chips for budget gaming smartphones

MediaTek Helio G25 and Helio G35 include MediaTek HyperEngine game technology.

MediaTek on Tuesday expanded its G-series mobile processors with the launch of Helio G35 and Helio G25 system-on-chips. The SoCs feature MediaTek HyperEngine game technology for enhanced gaming performance without compromising on the power efficiency. Besides gaming-centric enhancements, the chipsets are touted to bring improvements with regard to imaging capabilities. Targeting the global smartphone user base, the new chips are designed for feature-rich smartphones in budget and midrange segment.

“The MediaTek Helio G25 and G35 chips offer smartphone users premium features included in our other G-series family, including enhanced power efficiency, optimum performance, seamless gameplay, and enhanced photography,” said Dr Yenchi Lee, Deputy General Manager, Wireless Communications Business Unit, MediaTek.

Both the chips boast ARM Cortex-A53 CPUs, which operate at a peak frequency of up to 2GHz on the Helio G25 and up to 2.3GHz on the Helio G35. The chips have IMG PowerVR GE8320 graphic processing unit, with speeds of up to 650MHz and up to 680 MHz for the MediaTek Helio G25 and G35, respectively. Built on 12nm FinFET production process, the chips feature MediaTek HyperEngine’s intelligent power management for enhanced battery-life and power efficiency.

For imaging, the chips support multi-camera set-up and include a hardware depth engine for dual camera bokeh photography. The G25 supports a single camera mode of up to 21MP at 30fps, while the G35 supports up to 25MP cameras with artificial intelligence-based camera features, including simulated bokeh effects.

There are Electronic Image Stabilisation (EIS) and Rolling Shutter Compensation (RSC) engines to mitigate warped videos when capturing fast action or panning video. The chips also support AI-camera enhancements such as AI beautification, Smart Photo Album, and enhance precision in bokeh captures.

Realme C3 review: Good performance overall, but camera disappoints

This smartphone could be a good option for those looking for a performer, but if you are looking for Instagram-worthy pictures, you might not be impressed.

Technology News : After launching several smartphones last year, Chinese smartphone brand Realme is continuing to bring more smartphones to the Indian market. After the Realme 5i, the company has brought the Realme C3, aimed at those who love to binge-watch movies and web series.

The Realme C3 comes with some notable software and hardware upgrades over the Realme C2, including MediaTek's Helio G70 Processor chipset and a 5,000-mAh battery.

In the first impression, we felt the smartphone was worthy of some praise but we couldn't just do that at its face value, so we used the phone for a few days and here is what we found:

Design and display

The phone's textured back panel is a deviation from the usual gradient design we see in most smartphones these days. Apart from that, the phone is lightweight, despite a 5, 000mAh battery.

The power and volume buttons are on the right and left sides, respectively. But they are very sleek, hence a bit difficult to locate. The phone has a tray for two Nano-SIMs and a microSD card. There are a Micro-USB port, a 3.5mm audio jack, and a loudspeaker at the conventional bottom position.

Despite 195g weight, the Realme C3 feels light. The phone is available in Frozen Blue and Blazing Red colour options.

When it comes to display, the smartphone has a 6.5-inch LCD screen with 1,600 x 720 pixel resolution, 20:9 aspect ratio, and 89.8 percent screen-to-body ratio. The screen has Gorilla Glass 3 protection.

The display may not impress much at first, but it seems fine when you get used to the phone. This smartphone is for those people who watch a lot of web series and shows on their phone. For that, it just fits fine. But you would have to adjust brightness when using it outdoors. Since it doesn't have a Widevine L1 certification, you will not be able to play HD videos on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, etc.

Overall, it looks like any other smartphone in its price range, but the back panel separates it from others.

Realme C3 first impressions: Some noteworthy improvements over Realme C2

Realme's recently-launched budget phone Realme C3 has brought some notable hardware and software upgrades to the Realme C2.

Chinese smartphone brand Realme recently launched the Realme C3 budget smartphone, with some notable software and hardware upgrades when compared with the Realme C2. At a starting price of Rs 6,999 for the 3GB+32GB storage configuration, and Rs 7,999 for the 4GB + 64GB variant, the Realme C3 comes with MediaTek's Helio G70 Processor chipset, 6.5-inch mini-drop full screen with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection, and a whopping 5,000-mAh battery.

Realme C3 runs the new Realme UI on top of the Android 10-based ColorOS 7.

The phone has a dual-camera module at the back, with a 12MP primary camera and a 2MP depth sensor. The phone also has a 5MP selfie camera with features like Chroma Boost, slow motion video, HDR mode, and Panorama selfie.

The Realme C3 comes in 3 GB and 4 GB RAM and 32 GB and 64 GB storage variants. The phone also supports dual sim and has a USB port for charging, besides a 3.5 mm jack and speaker at the bottom.

The phone brings some major upgrades to the Realme C2. It has a 6.5-inch mini-drop display, compared with the predecessor’s a 6.1-inch HD-plus dewdrop display. While the Realme C2 had MediaTek Helio P22 chipset, the C3 comes with MediaTek's Helio G70 chipset. In terms of battery, the C2 had 4,000mAh, and the C3 has a 5,000mAh battery. Also, Realme has done away with the diamond-cut design seen in the previous phone; the C3 comes with a back panel that is resistant to smudges and fingerprints.

The Realme C3 is available in Blazing Red and Frozen Blue colours. The first sale of the Realme C3 is scheduled for February 14 at noon (IST).

terms of size and weight, the Realme C3 is easy to handle. The volume and power buttons are well within reach for single-hand use. So far, the phone comes across as a great improvement over the Realme C2, but it remains to be seen if it can be a threat to other phones in the price range.

So far, we liked the overall look and performance, however, it will be too early to pass a verdict.

We will soon gauge the Realme C3’s performance on several important parameters in our full review.

Realme 3 will be Flipkart-exclusive: To be launched at noon today

Along with the Realme 3, the company might also unveil the Realme 3 Pro, which was recently teased by the company on Twitter.

Chinese smartphone maker Realme will launch the Realme 3 phone in India on Monday. The company has been teasing the device on its social media platforms, confirming some of the features and specifications. Interestingly, a recent tweet also hints at the Realme 3 Pro edition, which might launch with the Realme 3.

Besides a gradient design, which has been part of most Realme devices, the Realme 3 will be powered by a MediaTek Helio P70 system-on-chip (SoC) and a 4,230 mAh battery. This SoC is built on TSMC’s 12NM FinFET technology and features an octa-core set up, which includes four ARM Cortex-A73 cores of a maximum operating frequency of 2.1GHz and four ARM Cortex-A53 cores of a maximum operating frequency of 2.0GHz.

The SoC has a dedicated ARM Mali-G72 MP3 graphic processing unit to handle graphics. The SoC also supports artificial intelligence (AI) computing, suggesting the Realme 3 would use it at least to enhance the phone’s imaging.

Any guesses? pic.twitter.com/AAHoCvUf9w

— Realme (@realmemobiles) February 27, 2019

The Flipkart-exclusive phone would feature a waterdrop-shaped notch screen on the front and a starry gradient design on the back. Besides a rear mounted fingerprint sensor, the phone is expected to sport a dual camera set-up at the back. Though the phone would be powered by a healthy 4,230 mAh battery, it is to be seen if it is capable of charging fast.

Make your life bright and colourful with #realme3. #shotonrealme #PowerYourStyle #DualCamera pic.twitter.com/zSmtyLIT5P

— Realme (@realmemobiles) February 28, 2019

Business Standard

Realme U1 with Helio P70 SoC, SelfiePro camera to launch on November 28

Realme U1 would sport a waterdrop notch, according to a product landing page on Amazon India.

Realme, a Chinese smartphone manufacturer, is gearing up to announce the Realme U1 in India on November 28.

The smartphone would be the first to use MediaTek’s latest Helio P70 system-on-chip, which is an octa-core processor based on TSMC 12-nanometre FinFET process. Successor of the P60 SoC, the P70 was announced at the India Mobile Congress 2018, where MediaTek also confirmed that Realme would be the first smartphone maker to use it in its upcoming smartphone.

Along with the name and launch details, the company also confirmed that the Realme U1 would be a selfie camera-centric (SelfiePro) smartphone.

The Amazon-exclusive smartphone would sport a waterdrop notch, according to a product landing page on the e-commerce portal. The landing page also lists processor-based enhancements that the phone’s camera would get, such as high-resolution depth engine, faster multi-frame noise reduction shots, anti-blooming engine and accurate artificial intelligence detection.

In a short span of six months, Realme has launched four smartphones. The company forayed in India’s price conscious smartphone market with the launch of the Realme 1, which was powered by MediaTek Helio P60 processor.

The phone received positive feedback from consumers and technology pundits for its unique gradient design and value-for-money proposition in budget segment. In a quick succession, the company launched the Realme 2 (review), followed by the Realme 2 Pro (review). The company also recently launched an entry-level affordable smartphone, the Realme C1 (review).

Business Standard