Today MediaTek has announced a new entry into its new “Dimensity” 5G SoC product lineup. The new chip is called the Dimensity 800 and represents a mid-range solution for lower cost devices compared to the larger Dimensity 1000 flagship SoC. The chip’s main feature is the fact that it supports 5G connectivity in the sub-6 spectrum, making this amongst the first 5G designs at this price range.

MediaTek SoCs
SoC Dimensity 1000 Dimensity 800
CPU 4x Cortex A77 @ 2.6GHz
4x Cortex A55 @ 2.0GHz
4x Cortex A76 @ 2.0GHz
4x Cortex A55 @ 2.0GHz
GPU Mali-G77MP9 @ ? MHz Mali-G57MP4 @ ? MHz
APU / NPU / AI Proc. / Neural IP 3rd gen APU
2 "big" + 3 "small" + 1 "tiny"

4.5TOPs total perf
3rd Gen APU
"four cores"
big + small + tiny

+2.4TOPs total perf
Memory 4x 16b LPDDR4X 2x 16b LPDDR4X @ 2133MHz
ISP/Camera 80MP
or
32MP + 16MP
1x 64MP
or
2x 32+16MP
Encode/
Decode
2160p60
H.264 & HEVC
& AV1 (Decode)
2160p30
H.264 & HEVC
Integrated Modem 5G Sub-6

DL = 4600Mbps
200MHz 2CA, 256-QAM,
4x4 MIMO

UL = 2500Mbps
200MHz 2CA, 256-QAM,
2x2 MIMO

LTE Category 19 DL
5G Sub-6

DL = ?Mbps
2CA

UL = ?

LTE Category ? DL
Connectivity WiFi 6 (802.11ax)
+ Bluetooth 5.1
+ Dual Band GNSS
?
Mfc. Process N7 N7

The SoC is powered by an octa-core CPU setup, including 4x Cortex A76 cores at 2GHz alongside 4x Cortex A55 cores at also 2GHz. It’s interesting to see this segmentation in the IP – the A77 cores aren’t that much larger than the A76 cores, but it’s possible MediaTek has been able to optimise the A76 for higher density implementations, hence also the quite low frequency even though the new chip comes manufactured on TSMC’s 7nm N7 process node.

On the GPU side, we’re seeing a Mali-G57MP4 at an undisclosed frequency. The G57 is a derivative of the Valhall GPU family and covers the lower end spectrum of possible configurations.  Oddly enough, the Mali-G57 is the same microarchitecture as the G77, with the only differences in the IP being that the naming below and above 5 GPU cores.

The chip features a cut-down DRAM interface with only 2-ch (2x16b) LPDDR4X support at up to 2133MHz, so half the bandwidth of the Dimensity 1000.

The chip still comes with MTK’s newest 3rd generation in-house APU/NPU for AI acceleration, but doesn’t disclose the breakdown in the same way they did with the D1000. They do state there’s up to 2.4TOPs of inferencing throughput which is actually still a very respectable figure for a SoC at this range.

The Dimensity 800 comes with 5G Sub-6 integrated modem; MediaTek discloses 2CC CA on the downlink. MTK at this time didn’t disclose more information on the throughput and how it compares to the D1000, but they do state DSS (Dynamic Spectrum Sharing) as a feature of the D800 which is an important characteristic for the chip’s modem.

We’ll be seeing Dimensity 800 based products being announced and come to market throughout 2020.

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  • s.yu - Tuesday, January 7, 2020 - link

    Still no word on the elusive D1000L. Doesn't make sense.
  • levizx - Wednesday, January 8, 2020 - link

    What words do you expect? It's already available for consumers.
    https://www.gsmarena.com/oppo_reno3-9942.php
  • ksec - Tuesday, January 7, 2020 - link

    This is great. No AV1 decode in mid range.
  • nandnandnand - Wednesday, January 8, 2020 - link

    When it's on every new device, you can give up on technology and live in a cabin in the woods.
  • levizx - Wednesday, January 8, 2020 - link

    Why do you need it at this price range? All streaming services will prioritize AV1 encoding at UHD level, then possibly 1080p60 and 2K. None of those are for such low end devices. Mind you 1000L devices are already below $500.

    Your normal 720p/1080p devices will continue to be served by AVC/HEVC from all streaming services for the next 3 years and beyond.

    For premium devices launching late 2020/2021, this could potentially be an issue depending on AV1 adoption rate.
  • yeeeeman - Wednesday, January 8, 2020 - link

    Daaamn, MTK is prepping some very nice SoCs. I am very interested in the 1000 tbh. 85% of sd865 perf with a fraction of the price. Count me in.
  • Fritzkier - Wednesday, January 8, 2020 - link

    If only Mediatek releases kernel sources, and make something like Qualcomm's CAF ...
  • gurukiran0027 - Thursday, January 9, 2020 - link

    they did release the kernel sources for redmi note 8 pro with mediatek helio g90t, so hopefully the kernel sources for dimensity powered phones will also be released
  • gurukiran0027 - Thursday, January 9, 2020 - link

    well they actually did release the kernel sources for redmi note 8 pro with mediatek helio G90T, so I'm hoping this should be the case with all forthcoming mediatek powered smartphones
  • gurukiran0027 - Thursday, January 9, 2020 - link

    well they actually did release the kernel sources for redmi note 8 pro with mediatek helio G90T, so I'm hoping this should be the case with all forthcoming mediatek powered smartphones

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