MediaTek and i-mobile Expand Partnership to Boost Smartphone Adoption in Thailand
MT6577 addresses demand for Thailand’s fast growing smartphone segment
Bangkok, October 2012 – MediaTek Inc., a leading fabless semiconductor company for wireless communications and digital multimedia solutions, and i-mobile, the top three handset brands in Thailand, jointly announced that they will be extending their strategic partnership to bring a multimedia-rich, dual core platform developed specifically for smartphones users across Thailand.
With a deep understanding of the Southeast Asian markets, MediaTek’s expertise in highly integrated and multimedia rich handset solutions enables Thailand’s mobile phone users to enjoy enhanced user experiences in affordable smartphones. Also, local handset brands will benefit from reduced time-to-market and focused on increasing the business’ bottom line.
“The MediaTek series of smartphone solutions open up an opportunity for handset brands, like us, to bring cost-effective, powerful phones to Southeast Asian markets and reduce barriers to entry,” said Thananan Vilailuck, President, i-mobile. “As smartphones continue to grow in the Thailand mobile phone market, the new MediaTek chipset is well suited to help us better address local demand by empowering affordable phones with advanced turnkey solutions. Our strong partnership with MediaTek means that iMobile can expect to significantly grow the local smartphone market this year by rolling out over 18 devices.”
The MediaTek MT6577 platform integrates dual-core application processor architecture which is widely deployed in the majority of today’s premium smartphones. The MT6577 is currently being incorporated into smartphone devices by MediaTek’s leading global customers, such as i-mobile’s iStyle and IQ series of android mobile phones. The first smartphone models based on this new chipset are commercially available in Thailand, with more than 20 models offered in the next few months.
Driven by a strong push from emerging markets for more cost effective products, smartphones are expected to rise to account for the majority of global mobile phone shipments in 2013 . Market research company, GFK Asia, recently reported that SEA’s mobile phone sector grew exponentially over the last year with a total of 118 million mobile units sold during that period.
The MediaTek MT6577 features a dual 1GHz Cortex™-A9 application processor from ARM, MediaTek’s proven 3G/HSPA modem, and runs the latest Android 4.1 Jelly Bean operating system. It can support rich multimedia experiences with an 8MP camera, up-to 1080p Full-HD video playback and high-resolution displays up to 720p (1280x720) resolution. For those interested in gaming, the MT6577 has enabled partners, such as Gameloft, to make their offerings available and optimized on this platform, thereby ensuring a better experience.
"Consumers across Thailand will now benefit from the affordable, high-performance devices enabled by the MT6577. MediaTek smartphone solutions have already been extremely well-received by customers and consumers worldwide," said Dr. Finbarr Moynihan, General Manager of Business Development, MediaTek. "The MT6577 adds the next level of performance and enhanced user experience to the MediaTek smartphone family, previously only available on high-end devices. MediaTek is proud to be in the vanguard of companies enabling the democratization of smartphones."
About MediaTek Inc.
MediaTek Inc. is a leading fabless semiconductor company for wireless communications and digital multimedia solutions. The company is a market leader and pioneer in cutting-edge SOC system solutions for wireless communications, high-definition TV, optical storage, and DVD and Blu-ray products. Founded in 1997 and listed on Taiwan Stock Exchange under the code "2454", MediaTek is headquartered in Taiwan and has sales or research subsidiaries in Mainland China, Singapore, India, U.S., Japan, Korea, Denmark, England, Sweden and Dubai. For more information, please visit MediaTek’s website at www.mediatek.com.
