8768 or MTK8768 is an MCU processing unit for running Android made by MediaTek, a Taiwan-based fabless chip company. MediaTek is a big player in processors for Android-based devices, and many manufacturers use their chips to build their technology around them.
MT8768T
The MT8768 is a modern processor with its debut in 2020.
Cores
There are eight cores in the MT8768, which makes it an Octa-Core processor. These eight cores boost processing power over just 4 cores without increasing the clock speed.
All eight cores are based on the ARM Cortex-A53 MPCore, with 4 having the potential to be clocked at 2.3GHz while the other 4 ARM Cortex-A53 MPCore processing cores are clocked at 1.8GHz.
This 1:1 split of the clock rates provides a granular performance step by bringing on the extra clock speed when needed. This is balanced by the lower clock speed and the slower cores’ lower power consumption. Managing these eight cores in software can strike a balance of performance and power saving.
While a battery device like a phone or tablet would benefit from this power-saving feature, it is irrelevant to the Android headunit. But many mass-produced phone and tablet processors find their way into the Android headunits, and it is cheaper to re-purpose an existing phone chip than produce a new design for the headunits.
The Cortex-A53 is based on Armv8-A architecture, which provides 64-bit data processing.
Tablets
The MT8768T was used to power the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 10.4, which it was called by its marketing name: Helio P22T. With RAM being equal, an Android headunit with the MT8768T would behave in response to taps, apps to load, and boot time just like the Samsung Galaxy Tab it was initially fitted to.
It would behave quite acceptably, suitable for a Samsung in 2020, and many miles away from the quad cores often found in the android headunits.
RAM
Memory type can be LPDDR3 or LPDDR4x. Both types are compatible with the 8768, but the decision is usually financial, and the slower yet cheaper DDR3 is often employed.
The MT8767 is usually coupled to 4 GB RAM in 2020, but if there is an option for more, 6Gb or 8Gb would be better for future app support.
Graphics
The graphics capabilities for the Helio P22T (Mediatek MT8768T) is the IMG PowerVR GE8320-class graphics processor. The GE8320 class graphics processing is ideal for an Android headunit and acceptable for mid to low-end phones and tablets. The 3D capability is a critical feature in phones and tablets to enable modern games. An android headunit does not need speedy 3D graphics, so a slower, cheaper graphics subsystem is the accepted norm in a headunit.
Suitability for an Android Headunit
Is the Helio P22T/MT8768T a good processor for an Android head unit?
Yes, the MediaTek 8768 is a modern, quick processor designed for running Android. It will perform well in an Android headunit. Coupled with 6 GB or 8 GB RAM, it will stay helpful in the future.
On a scale of the year 2014 for an 8227L quad-core, the MT8768T is in another dimension and a much better choice of processor MCU for Android.
