MediaTek and Qualcomm are dominant names when it comes to application processors used in consumer appliances. When it comes to smartphones, technological advancements that may be credited to competent core designs from ARM and advancement in chipset manufacturing processes have helped further narrow the performance gap in the mid-tier and affordable chips from the two brands.
The Dimensity chips launched by MediaTek are quite competent and only recently have they begun to show up in actual phones in India.
Are Snapdragon processors better than MediaTek processors?
Qualcomm assumes the dominant position in the Android landscape and yes, the Snapdragon chips have consistently done better with regards to memory subsystems and GPU, but saying “Snapdragon is better than Mediatek” is an oversimplification and actually erroneous.
It obviously depends on the individual chips and SKUs you are comparing.
Most chipset makers are now lifting ARM cores directly off the shelf and passing them on without customizations – and that kind of narrows the gap. With an increase in taxes and duties, manufacturers are more accepting of cheaper MediaTek chips for delivering comparable performance in the affordable segment.
It must also be mentioned that apart from processing cores, a chipset includes several other components including GPU (graphics), ISP (camera performance), DSP (AI), Modem, and more – and Qualcomm remains ahead with these parameters when you compare the top-of-the-line chips from both brands.
Best MediaTek Chipsets:
So, if you are just curious or looking to buy a Mediatek powered phone in India, here are a few available chipsets that we can recommend:
- Dimensity 1200: Vivo X70 Pro, OnePlus Nord 2, Poco F3 GT, Realme X7 Max 5G
- Dimensity 920: Poco M4 Pro
- Dimensity 900: Oppo Reno 6
- Dimensity 810: Realme 8s 5G, Redmi Note 11
- Helio G96: Realme 8i
- Helio G88: Infinix Hot 11s
Here are some competent phones that employ these chips:
1. OnePlus Nord 2 5G
OnePlus Nord 2 5G was the first phone from the brand to use a MediaTek chipset and this was a special version of the processor named Dimensity 1200-AI. It gets the name due to the bespoke enhancements made for AI-centric use cases. These include “superior imaging, display enhancements for a top-ranking user experience, better response times for faster and smoother gaming, and much more.” The SoC is coupled with up top 12GB RAM and 256GB of storage. The battery backup is of 4500mAh backed by 65W charging.
The phone also comes with a 6.44-inch FHD+ AMOLED panel with a 90Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support. The primary camera is a 50MP Sony IMX766 sensor with OIS. There is an ultrawide and a macro lens in the mix. The company claims camera capabilities like “AI photo enhancements, AI video enhancements, dual viewing mode, and Nightscape Ultra to deliver crisp high-quality stabilized photos and videos, and great low-light shots”.
OnePlus Nord 2 price and specs
2. Vivo X70 Pro 5G
Now if you want a phone that gives the premium build and flagship camera experience, then that’s X70 Pro. It comes with MediaTek Dimensity 1200 SoC with up to 12GB RAM and 256GB internal storage capacity. The processor is based on a 6nm architecture and runs at up to 3.0 GHz clock speed. Coming to camera features, there is a 50MP main camera, two 12MP lenses, and an 8MP periscope lens. The ultrawide camera sports Gimbal Stabilization and all 4 cameras have Zeiss T* coating along with dedicated Portrait modes, Pro Cinematic Mode, and a new Real-time extreme night vision mode.
Other highlights of the device include a 4450mAh battery with 44W Flash charge, a 32MP selfie camera, and a 6.56-inch Full HD+ 120Hz AMOLED display. You can pick the handset in two colors viz. Aurora Dawn and Cosmic Black.
Vivo X70 Pro 5G price and specs
3. Poco F3 GT
Then there is the Poco’s F3 GT, which is here to woo the gaming crowd. Yea, it has got the MediaTek Dimensity 1200 chipset powering it from inside. But this is also a phone with Maglev Triggers, GT Switches, a precise haptic vibration motor, stereo speakers, RGB lights, etc. Even the 6.67-inch AMOLED display boasts a 120Hz refresh rate and a snappy 480Hz touch sampling rate.
The repertoire also comprises of 5065mAh battery bolstered by a 67W fast charger, up to 8GB RAM, and 256GB storage.
4. Realme X7 Max 5G
Realme X7 Max (review) is yet another slim and compact powerhouse of a phone propelled by Dimensity 1200. This was also the first phone to bring this SoC to India.
Anyways, on the front, it rocks an sAMOLED panel with 1080p resolution and 120Hz smooth animation. And by the back, there is a 64MP triplet.
The internals also consists of up to 12GB RAM, 256GB storage, and a 4500mAh battery. There is support for 50W charging speed. Among other things, you also get 5G support, Android 11 (Realme UI 2.0), WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, 3.5mm jack, and a USB-C port.
5. Poco M4 Pro
Under the hood, Poco M4 Pro houses a 6nm MediaTek Dimensity 810 processor clocked at a speed of 2.4GHz and paired with Mali-G57 GPU. It is out in up to 6+128GB memory combination. There is storage expandability up to 1TB as well as a Dynamic RAM option. The device is kept on by a 5000mAh battery with a 33W fast charging capability.
Poco has also offered a 50MP camera, Dual speakers, X-axis linear motor, an IR blaster, NFC, an FM radio, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a side-mounted fingerprint reader.
6. Oppo Reno 6 5G
Oppo Reno 6 (review) is one good-looking phone. It has got squared-off edges like an iPhone 13. And it is not just about looks as internally, it carries the Dimensity 900 chipset. This is fabbed on a 6nm process and maxes out at 2.4GHz frequency. The memory configuration goes up to 8GB RAM and 128GB storage.
With the device, you also get a 6.43-inch AMOLED screen with a 90Hz refresh rate and FHD+ resolution. It is equipped with a 64MP camera by the back. The lights are kept on by a 4300mAh battery supported by 65W fast charging.
7. Realme 8S 5G
Realme 8S (review) ships with a MediaTek Dimensity 810 SoC and has 5G connectivity. The prime cores of this processor can run at a max speed of 2.4GHz. It is manufactured on a 6nm process. The phone is out in 6GB/ 8GB RAM with 5GB virtual RAM, and 128GB/256GB storage. It is fueled by a 5,000mAh battery with 33W Dart fast-charging support.
On the surface, it dons a 6.5-inch LCD screen with 90Hz fluidness. Flip to the back, there you have a triple camera setup, with a 64MP primary sensor. It comes powered by The software is Android 11 with the Realme UI 2.0 custom skin.
8. Redmi Note 11
Redmi Note 11 had gone official in its home market wielding the Dimensity 810 chip. This is wedded with 8GB RAM + 256GB of onboard storage. There is a 5000mAh battery that can be juiced up by a 33W charger. The camera setup at the back includes a 50MP snapper in the lead.
Coming to the front, it flaunts a 6.6-inch LCD panel with 90 Hertz refresh speed and 1080p pixel resolution. The odds and ends consist of Android 11 (with MIUI 12.5), a 3.5mm audio jack, USB-C port, side-mounted fingerprint scanner, among other things.
9. Realme 8i
Realme 8i is a slightly toned-down edition of its bigger sibling. It is running on a MediaTek Helio G96 chip along with the Mali-G57 MC2 GPU, 4GB RAM, and 128GB UFS 2.2 storage. The UI is Realme’s own skin with Android 11 as the base.
The repertoire also includes a 6.59-inch FHD+ LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a 50MP primary sensor, and a 5,000mAh battery with 18W charging.
10. Infinix Hot 11S
Infinix Hot 11S has a MediaTek Helio G88 chip paired with 4GB LPDDR4x RAM and 64GB internal storage. As for the battery, it packs a 5000mAh battery bolstered by an 18W fast charging support.
The fascia has got a full HD+ display stretching 6.78-inches. This comes with 90Hz refresh rate support.
The phone comes with a dual rear camera setup led by a 50MP with f/1.6 aperture, a quad-LED flashlight, and the second, a 2MP depth sensor. Other features include Dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 ac, Dual SIM Slot, Bluetooth 5.0, 3.5mm Audio Jack, GPS + GLONASS, USB Type-C port.
Infinix Hot 11s price and specs
Best MediaTek chipset phones in India in 2021
Here’s a quick recap of all the best phones available now that are armed with a MediaTek chip:
| Model |
| OnePlus Nord 2 5G |
| Vivo X70 Pro |
| Poco F3 GT |
| Realme X7 Max 5G |
| Poco M4 Pro |
| Oppo Reno 6 5G |
| Realme 8S 5G |
| Redmi Note 11 |
| Realme 8i |
| Infinix Hot 11S |
BBK Electronics everywhere 😀