ST-Ericsson's U8500 brings dual-core 1.2GHz ARM Cortex-A9 to the Android world
By Vlad Savov 
posted February 15th 2010 8:44AM
posted February 15th 2010 8:44AM
Can't get enough of hearing about implementations of ARM's Cortex-A9 MPCore processors? Good. ST-Ericsson's powerhouse U8500 system-on-chip has come a major step closer to appearing in mainstream devices with today's newly announced support for the Android operating system. Having optimized the OS to take advantage of Symmetric Multi Processing -- a method for extending battery life by sharing the load between the two processing cores and underclocking when necessary -- the partner company is now ready to start dropping these 1.2GHz dual-core beasts inside the next generation of smartphones. The claim is that you'll get all that additional power while sacrificing nothing, as devices based on the U8500 would maintain "the cost and power consumption characteristics of a traditional feature phone." We're promised built-in HDMI-out support, 1080p video recording, and 120 hours of audio playback or 12 hours of Full HD video off a 1,000mAh battery -- pledges we'd very much like to see fulfilled.
My Nexus one just frowned a little bit
@bazookafx3 not to worry, this won't be out in any devices for another 12 months, or in other words, just about when you're ready to get your next device... ;-)
@TheLostSwede *phew* okay, so me and my Nexus can still enjoy our time together?! =]
;_;
@BHCS
Well put, sir. I too think I would leave my wife for a phone running this.
The future of mobile technology is bright. As more advancements flood the gates, lets hope that manufacturers give better pricing for their handsets as lately they have been skyrocketing to the threshold of laptops.
@StewieGriffin
correction: "high-end" laptops...since the OLPC can be categorised as a laptop
My HD2 just saw this and cried.
I wonder how this compares to the 1Ghz apple A4 that'll probably be in the next iPhone.
@DTJ It's fairly similar, the A4 is based on the Cortex A9 design.
@DTJ dual core 1.2GHz vs single core 1GHz, how do you think it'll compare?
@TheLostSwede
On paper it sounds great, but I'm interested in real world perormance. In most circumstances the 3GS outperforms 1Ghz snapdragon phones even though it is ostensibly "slower".
@DTJ
Yes and no the 3gs appears to outperform because it has a dedicated graphics co-processor but as far as straight out cpu performance the snapdragon is much more powerful. But this should just be incredible I want this core in a smartbook! 10 hours of runtime with ubuntu baby the future is bright for arm.
@DTJ how do you know the A4 is a single core ?
@Duckman
Also the fact that the Nexus one has a much higher resolution and its more about how Android needs to optimize its OS for better graphics.
But multi-core for android would make a game changing improvement for overall smartphone usage. Something that Nexus Two or Nexus Three should consider.
@TheLostSwede The iPad may be double core it is a multi core archictecture
For a moment there I was confused this would be Sony Ericsson, thank god it's not. Otherwise we'd be waiting ages for this to get on any form of hardware (do I hear X10 anyone?)
I'll take half that battery life if it is for real and throw a 1400mah battery and be done
Very bright future for the ''not a called a phone anymore, but a soon to be desktop replacement'' industry. Let the good times begin!
Omg I'm excited
I think there should be some 2200mah battery's coming around my toshiba tg01 lasts me not even a day!
@kade1878
Now im back using my nokia e71 that battery lasts for ever.
I wonder if the purpose of this is to make the battery last longer or for actual performance? If it weren't for the "underclock when needed" statement, i would question about possible overheating but i guess that would rely of the design of the phone that would take this.
It's been a great day for gadgets
Does this mean we can have our cake AND eat it too?
"Having optimized the OS to take advantage of Symmetric Multi Processing -- a method for extending battery life by sharing the load between the two processing cores and underclocking when necessary"
You mean...the multiprocessing code that's been the default in the Linux kernel forever?
Wow, that must have taken a lot of 'optimization' (my guess is a kernel parameter change and rebuild). Great job there, guys.
although all this technological advancement in the smartphone sector is extremely exciting, i kind of miss the idea that my Palm IIIc wouldn't be ousted in 9 months... that thing lasted me at least 2 1/2 years... its even more burdensome than worrying about buying that new car when you know the model refresh is in next years line
Dual-core in a smartphone = Beautiful.
Now to get started developing applications to take advantage of the features.
Bring this on...can't wait for a superfast chip for smartphones that promises great battery life. Nvidia Tegra has been teasing forever. Beat them to the market PLEASE!
What about the 1.5GHz Dual Core snapdragon?
My Nexus One is already starting to feel weak ;_;
Wow just when I thought 1Ghz was loads for a smartphone, It's gonna take a while for those bad boys to get put inside any mobiles anyway...