In the mobile world, Qualcomm is a well-known provider of wireless chipsets that power smartphones and tablets alike. Qualcomm offers an extensive array of chipsets that provide single, dual-core, and quad-core processors alongside built-in graphics. Another company who also provides such chipsets is the lesser known MediaTek. Despite catering to Huawei, Alcatel, Lenovo, Acer, Vivo, Xolo, and Oppo to name a few, the Taiwanese company has never been able to crack mobile makers from the West. When placed in mobile devices, MediaTek chips generally find their way into lower end devices like the Sony Xperia C which utilizes a 1.2 GHz quad-core processor and IMG SGX544 graphics.

While the Xperia C is the only Sony smartphone to currently utilize a MediaTek chipset, that might all change come 2015.

According to rumors, Sony will be tapping MediaTek for 5 devices come 2015. What makes the rumors far more interesting is the fact that it’s believed that the chips from MediaTek will offer LTE connectivity, meaning the devices that will offer MediaTek chips will be mid t0 high-end phones from Sony and not lower tiered like the Xperia C. One reason for Sony to move beyond just Qualcomm is the competitive nature of the field. With MediaTek expanding to higher-end devices, the landscape will only get more competitive which likely means better prices for device makers. If the rumors do pan out, don’t expect MediaTek to power the next Xperia Z, Sony’s flagship smartphone.

With Sony struggling to be profitable and the mobile division along side PlayStation remaining one of the few bright spots for the company, this could be another move that could further strengthen the returns from Sony Mobile. While for the majority of consumers, the move will be a seamless one, tinkerers should take note. MediaTek chips till now (or at least specifically the one offered on the Xperia C) cannot be unlocked.

Discuss:

Do you care if your smartphone uses MediaTek chips over those that are offered by Qualcomm?

[Via GforGames]