The word “octa-core” has been thrown around a lot this year and it’s quite unfortunate that no true octa-core processor has come out. Samsung tried it first with their Exynos processor this year. Then Motorola teased the tech community again with their X8 Computing System. Neither of those could be considered true octa-cores. MediaTek, a company not usually known for high end processors in the mobile market, has just announced an octa-core processor. Here’s the kicker, it’s actually a real octa-core processor.

When Samsung first said they were doing an 8-core processor, we hoped for the best. However, Samsung ended up doing a system where 4 high powered cores would turn on when things needed to get done and 4 lesser cores would turn on when the powerful cores weren’t needed. So really it wasn’t a true octa-core processor. It was more like two quad-core processors smashed together. Motorola teased us again with the X8 Computer System that boasted 8-cores. However, that’s really a modified dual-core processor with two single core processors and a quad core graphics chip. So these weren’t true octa-core experiences.

MediaTek looks to change all that with their new processor. They’re touting it as a true octa-core processor. As you can see from the picture above, they say their processor can have 8 active cores all at once. This means no more of that faux octa-core stuff. This is the real deal and what a big deal it could turn out to be. According to their marketing materials, MediaTek claims to bring a whole lot of performance improvements. This includes smoother interfaces, smoother web browsing, smoother gaming, and better video playback.

Why is MediaTek’s octa-core processor such a big deal?

There are a variety of reasons. First and foremost, it’s the only one of its kind. As we’ve mentioned above, other OEMs have attempted the 8-core set up but always seemed to fall short of the goal. MediaTek seems to have been able to make all 8 cores work at once without overheating issues or other problems. That’s pretty big news because that means that it’s only a matter of time before Intel, Samsung, Qualcomm, etc follow suit and we see more of these super powerful processors.

This is also a pretty big deal for MediaTek because this is really the first CPU they’ve done for mobile that may actually earn some respect. Before this, MediaTek was most known for supplying processors to the bottom half of the Android industry, including such OEMs as GooPhone. Their chips aren’t terrible, but they’ve really never been touted as amazing before. That could all change with this octa-core chip.

It is a little hard to get too excited, though. We haven’t seen any benchmarks for these new processors and likely won’t for a little while. So we don’t know how this stacks up to current quad-core offerings or Motorola’s wacky X8 system. However, if MediaTek’s octa-core is as powerful as they are claiming it to be, then this could change MediaTek’s position in the mobile industry. We’re not saying it’s going to happen for sure or even that it’s overly likely. However, there is always that chance that OEMs embrace the first true octa-core.

If flagship devices start coming out with MediaTek’s octa-core, is that a device you could see yourself buying? If you’d like to tell us your opinion, let us know in the comments.

Jamba wrote:Probs the Ubuntu Edge.