Taiwan’s MediaTek gives a (slight) boost to its entry-level by introducing two new SoCs: the Helio G96 and G88. Their primary interest is to support a better refresh rate for the display while improving the photo.
With these two new SoCs, MediaTek timidly replaces the Helios G95, and G85 introduced last year. There is generally the same technical basis, and therefore similar performance, but in both cases, some exciting additions, mainly in display and connectivity. There is also a bonus at stake: support for better photosensors.
Helio G96: from 120 Hz to Full HD+ on the entry-level
Failing to change the CPU part (which remains the same as on the Helio G95, with 2 Cortex-A76 cores at 2.05 GHz and 6 Cortex-A55 cores), the Helio G96 allows to operate a Full HD + screen at 120 Hz (against 90 Hz maximum until now). This support extends to LCD panels and AMOLED panels. It also supports UFS 2.0 storage and the advent of HyperEngine 2.0 Lite technology to improve the in-game experience.
MediaTek’s new chip can now handle a 108 Mpx sensor on the photo side, compared to 64 Mpx previously. 4G connectivity is also faster, switching to a category 13 connection. On the other hand, MediaTek has chosen to slightly downgrade the graphics part that goes this year to a Mali-G57 MC2 GPU (against a Mali-G76 MC4 GPU on the Helio G95). However, the performance loss should be minimal.
Helio G88: 90 Hz and 64 Mpx on the menu
More affordable, the Helio G88 is fatally more rudimentary. Compared to its predecessor, it still switches to a display medium in Full HD+/90 Hz (instead of HD+/90 Hz) and can support sensors up to 64 Mpx (against 48 Mpx max until then). There is still an octa-core processor based on two ARM Cortex-A75 processors at 2.0 GHz and a Mali-G52 MC2 GPU.
