MediaTek has added a new Helio G99+ system-on-chip to its lineup, a move that keeps budget smartphones running on current hardware instead of forcing a full redesign. The update matters because DRAM vendors are ending production of the older LPDDR4X memory standard, leaving chipmakers with a gap in their entry-level offerings. Buyers relying on affordable devices will see this SoC appear in new models without needing to wait for a completely new architecture.
MediaTek updates its budget chipset to maintain supply as older memory standards are phased out by manufacturers
The Helio G99+ sits alongside the existing Helio G99, Helio G100, and Helio G200 as the fourth SKU based on the same base design. MediaTek lists the chip on its website as a direct response to supply chain shifts rather than a performance leap. This approach allows the company to maintain its entry-level portfolio while DRAM manufacturers like Samsung shift their focus to newer memory types.
Specifications
- Process Node: TSMC N6 (6 nm)
- CPU Configuration: 2x Arm Cortex-A76 (2.2 GHz) + 6x Cortex-A55 (2.0 GHz)
- GPU: Arm Mali-G57 MC2
- Memory Support: LPDDR5X up to 5,500 MT/s
- Storage: UFS 2.2
The new chip uses the same TSMC N6 (6 nm) process node as its predecessors to keep manufacturing costs low. It retains the original CPU configuration of two Arm Cortex-A76 cores at 2.2 GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores at 2.0 GHz. The graphics processor remains the Arm Mali-G57 MC2, and storage continues to use UFS 2.2. The modem section also stays unchanged, supporting Cat-13 4G with dual VoLTE.
The only technical change in the G99+ is the upgrade to LPDDR5X memory support, which runs at speeds up to 5,500 MT/s. This replaces the LPDDR4X support found in the original G99. The chip also maintains support for a 108 MP main camera sensor. This memory shift addresses the industry-wide sunset of LPDDR4X production without altering the core processing capabilities of the device.
MediaTek reuses the core IP to avoid the high costs associated with new mask production for the TSMC N6 node. This strategy lets the company fill the gap left by retiring LPDDR4X without developing a new chip from scratch. We looked at the last Helio G99+ update, several of the same balance and stability themes came up. The G99+ confirms that budget hardware can adapt to component shortages through minor specification tweaks rather than major overhauls.
Source: NotebookCheck
