Could China be getting $130 8-core phones before the end of the year?

Ying HuaNovember 21, 2013

The Chinese8-core era is upon us and after a few launches industry insiders are already trying to predict what the future will hold. Could it be $130 8-core phones?

The past few months has seen an the Chinese phone industry shift its attention away from high-end quad-core phones and focus on launching affordable quad-core models. The shift began earlier this year with the Xiaomi Hongmi, but the past few months have seen the launch of rival devices from Coolpad, JiaYu and others.

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It’s actually this entry-level market where we are going to be seeing some rather exciting new devices, one of which could launch next month with a 5-inch display and the latest 8-core MT6592 processor! Of course even the best laid plans often miss the mark, but just the fact that manufacturers believe such a price could be even possible is really remarkable!

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About the author
Ying Hua
I'm an avid gamer and a bit of a Ninja when it comes to gadgets and technology. When I'm not busy with the latest Android and iOS games and I can be found writing at Gizchina.com.

- Zsoltee
  November 22, 2013
  Before the end of the year 2014 I’m pretty sure you will be able to buy for $130 a 8-core phone.
- Markoff
  November 23, 2013
  I don’t see any problem in this, you should really check chinese prices on Taobao and not those international reseller thieves

Alex
November 21, 2013
That would be awesome!!!
vijay
November 22, 2013
It would rather make more sense for manufaturers to optimize the specs of quad core 5 inch phone..with a really bright display , be it 720p..a good BIS sensor 8 MP cam with a f/2.2 lens..and a user replaceable 3000 mAh.battery.. all for $130..rather than pieces of junk with octa core..just for sake of numbers.and just under banner octa core for $ 130..
Yash Garg
November 22, 2013
I’d say yes, because I don’t think there is a lot of difference in the price of an MT6589T and the MT6592 chipsets. Maybe not in the next few months, but I’m sure there will be $130 8 corers by 2014 end.
- Xiaolu
  November 22, 2013
  +1
  That’s why I see a good chance for Motorola with Project Ara, all around is full of dull phones, you could separate yourself from the crowd by making more customizable phones. They almost lost the train with Moto X but companies involved in projects like that (with help of the global community, as Phonebloks is gathering) have, IMHO, a great chance to success.
  Free software and customizable hardware… take note, my dear Chinese phone makers!
- highwind
  November 22, 2013
  You are right with the negligable price difference between MT6589T and MT6592 and I agree on the statement, that 8-core phones will probably be available in the 150-130$ range, but the question is:
  Who needs an octa-core in a 512MB RAM, 4GB ROM, <5" low Resolution display, <2000mah battery, low built qualitity housing?
  It is like pairing up an Intel i7 with a Geforce GTX780 and giving it 2GB RAM, 200GB harddrive and a 800×600 15" Monitor.
  - Ivan Myring
    November 22, 2013
  - Yash Garg
    November 22, 2013
    That’s a completely different argument, and I agree with you that I, for one, will not consider an 8-core phone with the aforementioned specifications. Then again, I hope to see $180 phones with maybe more than 1GB RAM and decent housing. Think that is possible in the next one year. Maybe another Hongmi will come along and play catalyst!
  - Anonymous
    November 22, 2013
    agree, it’s completely useless
Anonymous
November 22, 2013
8-core – it suck it
Markoff
November 23, 2013
I don’t really care how many cores has CPU, I am more curious what’s power consumption.
My ideal next phone should have Android 4.4 or depends on time even 5.0 (no, I don’t want some 4.2.2 because CN manufacturers can’t implement what’s new standard and because I will probably end up without updates), 2GB of RAM, 8-16GB of ROM with MicroSD slot, good camera, at least 2500-3000mAh battery, display somewhere between 4.3-5″ 720p or 1080p doesn’t matter and I don’t really care if it’s 4, 6 or 8 core and of course price in China should not be higher than 1000-1300RMB.