MTK8667, MT8667, or just 8667 is a processor/MCU used in newer Android head units.
But is the MT8667 any good for powering your in-car entertainment?
Mediatek
Mediatek is a big player in the Arm core-based processors that find their way into many Android Headunits sold today. Most MTK chips are produced in a phone, but a fair share is reserved for the Android Car Players – Android Headunits.
MT8667
The 8667 is a modern 64-bit Octa-core processor with a modern instruction set and access to large amounts of RAM suitable for current and future Android versions and driver expectations.
MTK 8667 Specifications
The 8667 is an Octa-Core processor, meaning eight cores are within the chip. These multiple cores increase the processing power and speed of running apps and Android. Modern chips contain at least six cores and 8 or 10 cores more often; extra cores generally mean more processing power.
The instruction set used in the 8667 is the ARMv8.2-A (64-bit) set. These 64-bit instruction sets build on the old 32-bit instruction sets by adding new instructions and processing others more efficiently.
The octa-core (8-core) configuration comprises six ARM Cortex-A55 cores clocked at 1.7GHz and two ARM Cortex-A75 cores at 2.0GHz.
This speed/power saving split belies the core design target as being a mobile phone. Android Head units do not need the low power, battery saving mode as they do not have a battery. But this does make it cheaper to produce due to lower research and development costs, and it is guaranteed to be fully compatible with Android.
The MT8667 chip includes a 1 MB cache for performance improvements in daily tasks. While more cache can generally deliver increased performance, the additional cache typically delivers decreasing returns.
Clock Speed
The clock speed is listed as 1.7 GHz and 2 GHz. This is due to the two different ArmCortex cores fitted. The A55 is clocked at 1.7 GHz, and the A75 at 2 GHz. This gives the Energy Efficient/Boost figures.
RAM
The MT8667 can access up to 8 GB RAM, which is the target level. More than 4 GB is good; the more, the better. Avoid 1 GB and 2 GB, which are too little for modern applications and expectations.
The types of RAM that the MT8667 can use are LPDDR3 or LPDDR4x-1600. Faster RAM is better, but more RAM is more important for the available apps and Android running on the head unit.
Android Headunit Tip
ROM
ROM is usually listed at 128 GB for the 8667, but 256 GB can be available. Not as important as RAM, the ROM is generally discarded, and the focus should be on the RAM.
Octa-core + 8 GB RAM
The MTK8667 is a classic combination of 8 cores and 8 GB RAM, and it is modern; the well-specified design puts it at the upper scale of the Android head units.
In context, the 8227L_Demo junk has four cores and 1 GB or 2 GB RAM, and the cores run at a low 1.3GHz. So the MTK8667 shines head and shoulder above the 8227L, many generations ahead.
Graphics
The MT8667 has an integrated graphics core, which is the same for all SoCs/processors in the Android Car Player. There are no discrete graphics cards or options to upgrade.
8667 has the basic Imagination PowerVR GE8320 core for its 2D and 3D graphics processing. Unlike mobile phones, the processor core does not greatly impact the Android headunit because it is not used for gaming.
Overall
Yes, the MT8667 is a good choice processor for an Android headunit. Coupled with 8Gb RAM, this is a winning combination. The high-speed processors benefit from active cooling because there is often little to no passive cooling available when fitted in the dashboard.
Similar Processor
The MT8667 is similar to the Helio P65 – with exception of the graphics capability. Imagination PowerVR GE8320 vs ARM Mali-G52 making a cheaper chip that lacks the gaming graphics. Ideal for an android based car head unit
Do you have any idea how to unbrick one of these?
I was sent some update files from the seller they are 1 x 8667.bin and 1 x 8667.upd
during the update process it copied the superimage ok but then something came up in red but it came up to a kind of recovery and said erasing… it then rebooted it gets to the car logo screen, before android screen then goes to a blank screen with the following in bottom left corner…FASTBOOT MODE and wont go any further
I have pressed RST then two fingers on screen until i get “detected” but all i get is the same fastboot mode again,
I have redownloaded and extracted the firmware and reformatted my usb drive to fat32 and tried the whole process again and tried in both usb slots but no sucess.
I have obtained other mtk8667 firmware files 8667.bin and 8667.upd from this topic https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/firmware-junsun-v1-8667q-8g-128g-vhd-qled.4405475/ on XDA but I have tried many different ones and it just wont read the usb, still just goes straight to fastboot mode….is anyone able to help me I have messaged the seller but no reply
So far I have tried about 7 or 8 different firmware versions, the sellers own, some junsun versions, ossuret versions even xtrons versions(all in correct format of 8667.bin and 8667.upd on root of usb formatted to fat32 but it does not read the usb.
The usb slots are still working as I can plug my phone in and it charges but the unit does not seem to have a full recovery mode
I have tried using a program called adb and fastboot on the computer but will not connect to the head unit
I have manually installed MTK drivers to the computer and tries a program called magic thunder but again would not connect to the unit.
I have tried to find a memory dump online but nothing, all I can find for mtk8667 is firmware consisting of 2 files 8667.bin and 8667.upd
I have now removed the unit from the car so i tried removing everything but 1 usb slot and removing the power for 10 mins before powering up and attempting to flash again
So i think i’m in need of expert help
I need help finding the latest update on my android head unit