Are you looking for a New Smartphone with Best Processor? The first question that arises to mind is…

…MediaTek vs Snapdragon chipset: Which one is better?

This question has been debated by many tech enthusiasts and people who are looking to buy a new smartphone. If you are looking for the best performance, then Snapdragon chipsets will be your best bet. However, if you want something that is cheaper but still powerful, MediaTek processors might be more suitable for your needs.

“The two competing companies offer different sets of features at various price points,” but when it comes down to comparing which is better – Qualcomm or MediaTek – there isn’t really a clear winner in terms of performance because both have their benefits; Qualcomm has faster speeds while MediaTek offers greater multitasking.

In this article, We will compare both of these chipsets and see which one stands out as the winner!

What is a MediaTek processor chipset and how does it differ from the Snapdragon chipset?

Snapdragon and MediaTek; both have a vast variety of processors available in the market. some of the popular processors are Snapdragon 808 (MSM8992) and MediaTek’s Helio G Series.

What is MediaTek Processor?

Mediatek processor is a processor used widely for smartphones and many other devices. It is cheaper than Qualcomm and offers superb performance with battery-saving technology for video playback to help users get the best out of their devices.

Mediatek processors are manufactured by MediaTek, which is a Taiwanese chip maker that specializes in making wireless chips and semiconductors.

MediaTek is a leading developer of 10-core processors, which means the power of 10 cores in a smartphone. This leads to better parallelism and leads to much improved performance.

A MediaTek processor is more energy-efficient and thus has a longer battery life, but it also lacks processing power. Snapdragon processors are on the other hand very powerful coming with four high-performing cores that can achieve speeds of up to 3.2 GHz.

What are snapdragon processors?

Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ Mobile platforms have many different qualities. They are fast, intelligent, smooth, and have amazing graphics. With a multi-core CPU, they combine cutting-edge features and support for worldwide network connectivity with great speeds and incredible power efficiency.

Snapdragon processors can be found in a wide variety of devices and have become one of the most popular chipset suppliers among Android OEMs thanks to their high performance while maintaining energy efficiency.

Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ have more than 23 types of separate Snapdragon processors under the 200, 400, 600, 700, and 800 product families that range from low to high -end respectively. Manufacturers like Samsung, Motorola, LG, etc., prefer Snapdragon chipsets for their better performance combined with an excellent power management system that helps extend battery life on smartphones.

Origin: MediaTek vs Snapdragon

MediaTek Incorporated is a Taiwanese fabless semiconductor company that manufactures integrated circuits (ICs) for wireless communications and broadband multimedia applications.

Whereas, Snapdragon is the product of Qualcomm, which is an American multinational semiconductor company founded in 1985 and provides wireless telecommunications products and services to the public.

Pros and Cons: MediaTek vs Snapdragon

The Snapdragon might be more compatible with Android flagships than the Mediatek chipsets would be because of their manufacturing base.

However, in terms of raw power and performance, both manufacturers seem to perform similarly well when it comes to mid-range devices like smartphones or tablets.

Well, no one can be the best in all aspects.

There may be some pros and cons of each chipset.

Pros: Snapdragon Processors

1. Performance: Snapdragon processors offer better performance than MediaTek even in multi-tasking since it Supports more cores and graphics power for high-end devices.
2. Support: Qualcomm is a well-known brand with very good customer service, so you should be able to find help if your device has any issues or malfunctions.
3. Efficiency: Qualcomm’s snapdragon CPUs use up less power when they’re being used but this doesn’t mean that Snapdragons will run at full speed all of the time, which can be both good or bad depending on what you need from your CPU.
4. Quality: Snapdragons come with more features such as photography, video editing, and graphic quality which makes them a lot more expensive but worth it for professionals who do these types of jobs often.
5. Power Consumption: On one hand, Better power management capabilities to save battery life when idle or on standby mode, could result in better battery life.
6. All in One package: It has a graphics processing unit, global positioning system, and cellular modem all in one package.

Cons: Snapdragon Processors

1. Compatibility: The price for these chipsets can get pretty high depending on which phone it is used in because they’re only compatible with certain phones.
2. Expensive: Snapdragon processors are much more expensive than the ones produced by MediaTek and there is not a huge difference in performance either.
3. Battery: Power management capabilities are good in Snapdragon processors; however, it requires more power than the ones required by MediaTek. So, if you want a lot of processing for things like gaming then snapdragons might not work as well because they don’t always have enough energy available when needed.
4. Speed: snapdragon processors run at a higher speed than MediaTek, but there is not much of a difference in output.

Pros: MediaTek processors

1. Low Cost: MediaTek is also known as a good performer and is cheaper than the Snapdragon which could make them appealing to those on a low-income budget.
2. Availability: MediaTek has a lot more variety in their chipsets which means they can be used on many different brands and types of smartphones so it’s easier to find one that would suit your needs or budget.
3. Speed: MediaTek chipsets are known to be fast and boot up quickly.
4. Low battery consumption: MediaTek chipsets are also known for low energy usage which means your battery will last longer.
5. Durable/Sturdy: The materials on the inside of the chip are made from metal rather than plastic like snapdragon so these can withstand more punishment and heat because they don’t have to be flexible.
6. Good for Gaming: MediaTek also has a reputation for being great at playing games.

Cons: MediaTek processors

1. Low Quality: The quality of these processors isn’t as high as Qualcomm because they just don’t have the same level of customer service, support, or brand recognition that comes with being known for producing excellent products like Qualcomm does.
2. Less Feature: MediaTek doesn’t offer much in terms of chip customization; you will only get what is offered by them without any additional features such as camera improvements (e.g., contrast detection autofocus). These are all things that come standard with snapdragon but aren’t offered by MediaTek.
3. Single-Core Speed: One negative thing about these chipsets is that their single-core speeds are noticeably slower than snapdragon’s.
4. Low Power: MediaTek chipsets also don’t have a GPU that is as powerful and energy-efficient as Qualcomm’s.
5. Battery Life Decreases Over Time: One interesting thing about these processors is that they lose their battery life over time so your phone will start to run out faster if it starts with less power at first which can get frustrating after a while.
6. Tradeoff: Over time, the lower cost of MediaTek chipsets may seem like an appealing feature, but it can result in a tradeoff in quality. For example, Snapdragon offers high-quality features that are not offered by other manufacturers.

Which chipset is best Processor: MediaTek vs Snapdragon?

At the beginning of the journey of MediaTek, they used to have chipset like MediaTek 6735, Mediatek 6739 which had Heating issues and Lag issues in their mobile chipsets whereas the Snapdragon chipset by Qualcomm was best in all their segments, they had no problems with their chipsets, Snapdragon chipset was capable with much faster process rate than MediaTek which makes Snapdragon better for gaming and uploading content.

Qualcomm Snapdragon processor chipsets are the most popular on Android devices. (According to the Benchmark scores)

Qualcomm Snapdragon and MediaTek have both been competing for years. But by times progress, MediaTek chipsets are improving itself, and according to Global Chipset Market Share, MediaTek has Beaten Qualcomm in Q3 2020 to Q1 2021, with 35% market share in Q1 of 2021 by MediaTek, whereas 29% market share by Qualcomm.

Now, MediaTek changed the focus point on their processor.

After making the small but strong possession in the mid-range market with MediaTek Helio P60, P70, P90, etc., MediaTek Launched its G-series, which provides much better performance for gaming with a low price point. Some of the popular chipsets are Helio G90T, Helio G95T, Helio G85, and Helio G80.

Is MediaTek cheaper than Snapdragon?

And since MediaTek is cheaper than snapdragon, and they are more affordable to manufacturers, many smartphone brands like Xiaomi, Realmi, Vivo, Oppo are preferring MediaTek Processors as they can manufacture their smartphones at very low cost with better performance.

In 2020, MediaTek launched the very demanding 5G processor in the market at a very low cost for budget smartphones, ie. MediaTek Dimensity Series some of them are very popular like Dimensity 700 (MT6833V/ZA), Dimensity 800 (MT6873), Dimensity 820 (MT6875), Dimensity 900 (MT6877), Dimensity 1000 (MT6889), Dimensity 1100 (MT6891Z/CZA), Dimensity 1200 (MT6893).

These all chipsets from MediaTek are being used by most of the smartphone brands in their budget smartphone so that budget buyers can experience the 5G with a very affordable price range.

MediaTek vs Snapdragon: Which Processor Should You Opt For?

So, the Mid-Range Smartphone Market Share is acquired by MediaTek since Snapdragon makes smartphones costly somehow whereas MediaTek provides the same experience at a very affordable price.

But in the premium or flagship segment, Snapdragon still provides high-quality features and top-notch performance better than MediaTek, which makes Snapdragon stand out in the flagship market.

You can also read The Ultimate Smartphone Buying Guide for Smartphone Buying where I have shared so many important aspects which should you considered while selecting the Best Smartphone for you.

Is MediaTek Dimensity 1200 better than Snapdragon 870?

Snapdragon has a better performance than MediaTek processors when it comes to gaming. It offers more cores and CPUs for better multitasking, faster speeds on uploads, etc.

But we know that it also needs a higher-end phone or tablet to work properly. whereas Mediatek chipsets are cheaper and use less energy, so they are better for battery life.

MediaTek Dimensity 1200 is the flagship and undoubtedly one of the most powerful processor by MediaTek comes with 6 Nm technology and is also the first MediaTek processor to reach 3.0 GHz, whereas the competitor Snapdragon 870 comes with 7 nm technology, which makes MediaTek 1200 better than snapdragon 870 in term of performance.

MediaTek Dimensity 1200 gives neck-to-neck competition to Snapdragon 870 in terms of software, 5G support, gaming experience, stability, battery backup & heating issue.

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 Mobile Platform is a powerful connection system. It includes the Qualcomm Snapdragon X55 5G modem-RF system and the Qualcomm FastConnect 6800 subsystem. This system can have high speeds, increased capacity, and widespread accessibility no matter where you are connected to 5G.

The Snapdragon 870 beat the Mediatek Dimensity 1200 because it has a better GPU, 3.2 GHz clock speed, and a better Benchmarks Score.

GPUs: Qualcomm’s secret weapon?

All Qualcomm Adreno Graphics Processing Units feature the Qualcomm® flagship graphics processing technology, the powerhouse that brings high-performance graphics and a rich user experience.

Along with the power of the Snapdragon GPU, Snapdragon processors are designed to respond quickly and efficiently for ultra-fast responsiveness. With these powerful all-encompassing features, there’s no wonder why our processes have been so popular in recent years.

There are several key features in the latest Adreno 660 GPU:

• Adreno 660 GPU is a graphics chip that can make images 35% faster than the one before it.
• The Adreno 660 GPU is more powerful than the other one. It is 20% more efficient too, which means that it does not use as much power and makes the battery last longer.
• Adreno HDR Fast Blend is a thing that helps games run faster. The game will be 2x faster because this new product speeds up the process of putting different layers together, which makes it possible for the game to be more beautiful and fun.
• Advanced artistic control for game developers: The Adreno 660 GPU means that developers can build more complex games. It helps them get better colors and effects in the game.
• More realistic environments with PBR: Adreno GPU advancements allow more PBR (Physically Based Rendering) workloads to render without crashing, so developers can still optimize the better visual gaming experience.

Which chipset should I use for Custom ROMs – MediaTek or Snapdragon?

When it comes to custom ROMs, the best option is a Snapdragon chipset that beats all competitors in quality and performance.

Snapdragon outperforms its competitors. GCam support and custom ROM support for different types of processors from the Snapdragon line, such as Adreno models, are better in performance when compared to MediaTek models like Helio.

Smartphone manufacturers that use LineageOS and other major OS companies are primarily focused on Snapdragon-based devices. MediaTek-based smartphones have issues with installing custom ROMs because the kernel’s drivers are tightly locked down, so most users in these countries report difficulties or opt to not install a custom ROM at all.

MediaTek vs Snapdragon: Gaming

Snapdragon is growing in gaming and it has low power consumption which makes snapdragon a good choice for someone who wants to save their battery life.

But Mediatek is also growing day by day in all aspects like gaming, performance, efficiency and quality. MediaTek G Series performs better than snapdragon in gaming because of its powerful GPU.

Snapdragon and MediaTek both offer great performance, but they are very different in price which is major deciding factor for many people.

There’s no winner between Snapdragon vs Mediatek because it all depends on what you need to use your phone for the most.

So, if you are looking for smartphone upto Mid Range budget, the MediaTek is best option available for you.

If you are going with a High-End Smartphone, the Snapdragon is the best option available for you.

Verdict: My Opinion

The truth is that both types of chipsets have their own merits. Snapdragon offers better performance for CPUs and GPUs due to its Adreno GPU technology. MediaTek Helio has a lower-performing GPU but it’s less expensive and consumes less energy.

Snapdragon offers high-quality features like more cores and higher speeds, while MediaTek has a cheaper price tag and better battery life. Ultimately it comes down to what type of smartphone owner you are; someone who likes the latest in “smart” technology or security.

MediaTek has been around for a while and they offer great, cost-effective processors that are the best option if you’re looking to save money without sacrificing performance. The MediaTek Helio platform is designed with power efficiency in mind because it features multi-core CPUs that consume less battery life than single-core CPUs.

If you’re looking for the latest and greatest in mobile technology, look no further. The Qualcomm Snapdragon platform is designed to be fast, intelligent, smooth, and secure with amazing graphics. The Qualcomm Snapdragon has high speeds and unbelievable power efficiency, as well as a long list of features including support for worldwide network connectivity.

Conclusion

Which chipset is best for you? MediaTek or Snapdragon? Performance, Support, Efficiency, and Power consumption are just some of the important points to consider.

I’ve given a quick overview of both chipsets in this post but if you want more details on any specific point we discussed then please let me know. I will be happy to answer your questions or provide further information.

If you found this article helpful at all then please tell me! I would love feedback from my readers so that I can improve future posts like these with better content and clearer explanations.

You may also have noticed that there was no mention about which chipset offers the strongest GPU out of the two mentioned here that’s because it was not the topic of this article. In future posts, you can bet that we’ll be discussing GPU technology in greater detail and how it relates to other aspects like performance and power consumption.

Thank You!!