If you're considering buying an affordable tablet or a mobile phone with good value for money, you've probably come across the UNISOC Tiger T618 . This chip has become the preferred engine for many Chinese brands in their mid-range devices, trying to compete with giants like Qualcomm or MediaTek without breaking the bank.
It's not just another run-of-the-mill processor; it's a versatile SoC that strikes the right balance between not draining the battery in no time and having enough power to prevent the device from freezing when opening a couple of apps. Let's take a deep dive into what's under the hood of this hardware and how it performs in everyday use.
Internal Architecture and Hardware
The heart of this processor is manufactured using a 12-nanometer process , allowing it to manage power quite efficiently. Its configuration is Octa-Core, meaning it has eight cores working together: two high-performance ARM Cortex-A75 cores that reach up to 2 GHz and six more efficient Cortex-A55 cores (in some variants, four appear at 2 GHz and others tuned to 1.8 GHz), ensuring that basic tasks don't consume unnecessary resources.
In terms of memory, the T618 is quite flexible, supporting both LPDDR3 and LPDDR4 standards , allowing manufacturers to install anywhere from 4GB to 6GB of RAM. For storage, it works exceptionally well with eMMC 5.1 memory , which is the standard in affordable devices for ensuring acceptable read and write speeds.
Graphics and Gaming Capabilities
For gamers, the chip integrates a Mali-G52 3EE GPU (or Mali-G52MC depending on the version) that runs at a maximum speed of 850 MHz. This graphics card supports technologies such as OpenGL ES 3.2 and Vulkan 1.0 , as well as OpenCL 2.0 FP, resulting in a smooth visual experience in most modern applications.
When it comes to actual gaming, the performance is surprisingly solid for the price. Popular titles like PUBG Mobile can run smoothly on medium to high settings with a comfortable refresh rate, while Call of Duty: Mobile achieves around 40 fps. More demanding games, such as Genshin Impact , are playable, albeit with some compromises, hovering around 24 fps, and lighter games like Mobile Legends even reach 50 fps without breaking a sweat.
Multimedia, Screen and Video
The VPU is where this SoC truly shines in tablets. It can handle native H.265 and VP9 decoding , allowing for smooth playback of Full HD 1080p content at 60fps. While it doesn't support the AV1 codec or 10-bit HDR formats (which can cause frame drops), it's more than adequate for streaming services and high-definition videos.
Regarding image output, the chip supports screen resolutions up to 2400×1800 pixels , allowing for seamless 2K displays. Furthermore, it offers generous camera support, managing sensors up to 32 MP with a capture speed of 24 fps, ideal for video calls and casual photos.
Benchmarks and Power Comparisons
When we put the T618 to the test bench, the numbers speak for themselves. In Antutu , it typically scores around 223.477 points, placing it in a very similar league to the Snapdragon 660 or the Helio P70. In Geekbench tests , with scores close to 1433 in single-core and 395 in multi-core, it even surpasses the Huawei HiSilicon Kirin 970 in certain scenarios.
Looking at 3DMark , it scores around 578 points, putting it practically on par with the Exynos 9610. This confirms that, while not a processor for professional gaming, it's a solid alternative that performs much better than more basic chips like the Unisoc SC9863A, offering a very stable user experience on Android 11 or Android 12.
Device Connectivity and Versatility
This processor isn't just found in tablets. It can also be found in phones like the ZTE Blade V30 and V40 Pro , and even in Android handheld consoles designed for emulating systems like the PS2, GameCube, and Nintendo 3DS. Its integrated modem supports multi-band 4G LTE with upload speeds of up to 150 Mbps, as well as compatibility with Wi-Fi AC and Bluetooth 5.0.
The ability to manage 64-bit applications thanks to the ARM v8-A architecture is fundamental nowadays, as it prevents the device from becoming obsolete quickly and allows the installation of the vast majority of apps from the Play Store without compatibility errors.
This SoC positions itself as a highly balanced piece of hardware for those who don't want to spend a fortune but need a machine capable of multitasking, consuming high-resolution multimedia, and playing games at medium settings. With efficient power management thanks to its 12nm process and performance that rivals established mid-range systems, it's a smart choice for building productivity and entertainment devices without complications.