The Allwinner T3 processor is a Quad-Core processor found in some lower-end Android headunit and targeted to run the Android 4.4/6.0 system. Virtually identical to the Allwinner T3p3, the T3p1 is treated in performance terms as the same device.
T3 Processor Answers
Is the T3 a good processor for an Android Headunit?
No. The T3 processor is not considered a good processor for an Android headunit. The T3 and T3p1 have limited processing power, which is unsuitable for an Android headunit.
Is the AllWinner T3 p1 a fast processor?
No. The T3 p1 is a slow processor unsuitable for running an Android headunit.
Is the T3 a quad-core?
Yes. The T3 and T3p1 are quad-core processors.
Can I add more RAM to my T3p1 android head unit?
No. You can not add more RAM to an Android headunit.
Can the AllWinner T3p1 have more than 2 GB RAM?
No. The T3p1 is only supplied with a maximum of 2 GB RAM
4 Cores
The AllWInner T3 has only 4 Cortex-A7 processing cores clocked at around 1.2 GHz.
Based on the ARM Cortex-A7 with a tiny 512 kB of L2 cache, it only supports 32-bit operations.
The four 32-bit cores of the T3 will run with a maximum of 2 GB RAM
SatNav
The low-end 4-core T3p1 processor was designed for integration into devices like a satnav. Not cut out for running an Android headunit, these old 4 cores struggle to provide the headunits with enough processing power. Coupled with the limiting 32-bit architecture, the maximum RAM the T3 can use is a low 2 GB. This is a very limiting factor by itself, but with the low cores, clock rate, and 32-bit limits, this is one poor chip for an Android headunit.
AllWinner T3 processor block diagram
A tiny 512Kb L2 cache and the ARM NEON SIMD co-processor won’t compensate for the minimal 4 cores and low clock speed.
GPU
The GPU – Graphical Processing Unit integrated as part of the T3 SoC is the Mali 400MP2
The Mali400MP2 Supports OpenGL ES 2.0/OpenVG 1.1 standard.
Notable is the HDMI-OUT feature. Not all boards will support HDMI-OUT, but it is a useful modern feature surpassing the CVBS_OUT. While CVBS_OUT is compatible with many devices, they are becoming more difficult to find. All new televisions and displays are HDMI compatible; this feature is a bonus.
Supports double screen with different display – one Android screen and something different on the HDMI display? Well, the SoC has the capability for two different displays.
2 GB RAM
The most RAM the T3 can connect to is only 2 GB.
The maximum DDR clock rate for the RAM is up to a very slow 580 MHz
PIMC
The PIMC (Power Management IC) is a AXP221s. This is the clue that the Allwinner T3 is designed for handheld or battery-operated devices, like SatNav. A true Android headunit processor would not need to use silicon space on unwanted PMICs.
Hacked Android 7
The target version of Android for the Allwinner T3 is Android 4.4/6.0
With the limiting resources the T3 p1 SoC can provide the Android environment, some features must be dropped. It is probably running a hacked Android 6 or a fake Android 7. Unfortunately, it won’t be the full version of Android 7,8, 9, or 10 because there is insufficient processing ability to perform it all.
Overall
Quad-Core by name and Quad-Core by nature. Reminiscent of the 4 core 8227L_Demo that is still doing the rounds. Not enough RAM in the T3 headunits and insufficient processing cores, all clocked at a very slow rate, make for a disappointing experience for an Android headunit. Don’t let the HDMI output sway the decision. There are other, much better, more modern Android headunits with HDMI out ports fitted.
