The low-end SoC market has the largest number of customers and as a result, it is a very competitive space. In this article, we are going be looking at two SoCs that are fierce competitors here. This is the MediaTek Helio G85 Vs. Unisoc T606.

Smartphone processors, also known as system-on-chips (SoCs), are the brains of your devices. They determine how fast, smooth, and efficient your phone can run. There are many SoCs available in the market, but how do you choose the best one for your needs? In this article, we will compare two mid-range SoCs: the MediaTek Helio G85 Vs. Unisoc T606. We will look at their features, performance, gaming, memory, photography, connectivity, and battery life, and see which one has the edge over the other.

MediaTek Helio G85

The MediaTek Helio G85 is a SoC manufactured by MediaTek. It is a Taiwanese company that specializes in chipsets for mobile devices. It was announced in May 2020 and belongs to the Helio G series, which is designed for gaming smartphones. Some of the phones that use the Helio G85 are the Xiaomi Redmi 12C, Redmi 13C, and the Realme Narzo 20 etc.

The key specs of the Helio G85 include:

  • CPU cores: 2x Cortex A75 cores (2.0 GHz) + 6x Cortex A55 cores (1.8 GHz)
  • GPU: Mali G52 MC2 GPU (1000MHz)
  • RAM: LPDDR4x RAM (up to 8GB)
  • Storage: eMMC 5.1, UFS 2.1 (up to 256GB)
  • Process: 12nm TSMC

Unisoc T606

The Unisoc T606 is a SoC manufactured by Unisoc. Unisoc is a Chinese company that is a subsidiary of Tsinghua Unigroup. It was announced in June 2021 and belongs to the Tiger series, which is aimed at low-cost and mid-range smartphones. Some of the phones that use the T606 are the Itel S23, Nokia G22, Umidigi G5, etc.

The key specs of the Unisoc T606 include:

  • CPU cores: 2x Cortex A75 cores (1.6 GHz) + 6x Cortex A55 cores (1.6 GHz)
  • GPU: Mali G57 MP1 GPU (650MHz)
  • RAM: LPDDR4x RAM (up to 8GB)
  • Storage: eMMC 5.1, UFS 2.1 (up to 256GB)
  • Process: 12nm TSMC

MediaTek Helio G85 Vs Unisoc T606

Performance

When it comes to performance, both the Helio G85 and the T606 have similar CPU configurations. They both have the same number and type of CPU cores. However, the Helio G85 has slightly higher CPU and GPU clock speeds, which (may) give it a slight edge in performance.

According to the benchmark scores, the Helio G85 has a higher AnTuTu score of 267,399, while the T606 has a lower score of 242,090. On GeekBench however, the results are mixed. The Helio G85 also has a score of 414 (single-core) and 1,334 (multi-core). The T606 on the other hand, has a  score of 374 (single-core) and 1,400 (multi-core). Based on these results, we can conclude that the Helio G85 has a slightly better performance than the T606.

Gaming

For gaming enthusiasts, the GPU is an important factor to consider when choosing a SoC. The Helio G85 and the T606 have different GPUs, with the former using the Mali-G52 MC2 and the latter using the Mali-G57 MP1.

The Mali-G57 MP1 (T606) has a newer and more advanced architecture than the Mali-G52 MC2, but it has only 1 core and is clocked slower. The Mali-G52 MC2 (Helio G85) might be older but it has 2 cores and a higher clock speed. This may offset the advantage of the Mali-G57 MC2 in some games.

According to the gaming test results, the Helio G85 and the T606 have similar frame rates in games like PUBG Mobile, Asphalt 9, and Call of Duty Mobile. However, you should know that the Helio G85 holds a slight edge in many cases. Therefore, we can say that the Helio G85 and the T606 have comparable gaming performance, with the Helio G85 being slightly better in some scenarios.

Memory

Memory is another important aspect of a SoC, as it affects the speed and smoothness of the phone. Both the Helio G85 and the T606 support up to 8GB of LPDDR4x RAM and up to 256GB of UFS 2.1 storage.

LPDDR4x is a type of RAM that offers high bandwidth and low power consumption, while UFS 2.1 is a type of storage that offers fast read and write speeds.

Both the Helio G85 and the T606 have the same memory specifications, so there is no clear winner in this category.

Photography and Videography

Photography and videography are also popular features of smartphones, and the SoC plays a role in the quality and functionality of the camera.

The MediaTek Helio G85 takes the lead here by having an ISP that is capable of handling up to 48MP cameras. The G85 can also do videos of 1080p @60fps and has an NPU on board. The Unisoc T606 on the other hand has an ISP that can only handle cameras of up to 24MP. It can do 1080p video at 60fps as well but lacks a recognizable NPU on board.

The ISP is responsible for processing the image data from the camera sensor and applying various effects and enhancements. The NPU is the hardware that handles AI features such as face detection, scene recognition, and bokeh effect.

Given what we know about the importance of computations and AI to smartphone photography, it is clear that not having one is a handicap. Thus by having a better ISP, better camera support, and an NPU, the Helio G85 takes this segment.

Connectivity

Connectivity is another factor that affects the user experience of a smartphone. This is because it determines how fast and reliably the phone can access the internet and other devices. Both the Helio G85 and the T606 support 4G LTE networks, but not 5G networks.

4G LTE is a standard for mobile broadband that offers high-speed data transmission, while 5G is a newer and faster standard that is still not widely available.

Both the Helio G85 and the Unisoc T606 both support LTE Cat 7 download speed (up to 300 Mbps). They also both support Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi 5 versions of wireless communication technologies that offer improved range, speed, and security.

Battery life

Battery life is another crucial aspect of a smartphone, as it determines how long the phone can last on a single charge. The battery life of a phone depends on many factors, such as the screen size, the brightness, the usage, and the battery capacity. However, the SoC also affects the battery life, as it determines how much power the phone consumes. The fabrication process and the nanometer size of the SoC are indicators of the power efficiency of the SoC. The smaller the nanometer size, the more transistors can fit on the SoC, which means more performance and less power consumption. Both the Helio G85 and the T606 have a 12nm fabrication process, which means they have the around same power efficiency and battery life.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the MediaTek Helio G85 and the Unisoc T606 are two lower mid-range SoCs that offer similar features and performance. They have the same CPU configuration, memory specifications, fabrication process, and nanometer size. However, the Helio G85 has a higher CPU and GPU frequency, better ISP, and a slightly better benchmark and gaming performance.

So even though, the Helio G85 and the T606 are comparable SoCs, with the Helio G85 having a slight edge over the T606. However, the difference is not very significant, and the choice of the SoC may depend on other factors, such as the price, the design, and the availability of the phone. Ultimately, the user should choose the phone that suits their needs and preferences best.

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