MediaTek Helio P60

MediaTek Helio P60

MediaTek Helio P60: Review of the Budget Smartphone Processor for 2025

April 2025


Introduction

The MediaTek Helio P60 is a system-on-chip (SoC) released in 2018, but it is still found in budget smartphones in 2025. Despite its age, this processor remains popular due to its balance of price, performance, and energy efficiency. In this article, we will explore what the Helio P60 is capable of today, who it is suitable for, and how it compares to modern competitors.


1. Architecture and Manufacturing Process

12 nm: Efficiency vs. Power

The Helio P60 is manufactured using a 12-nanometer process, which is considered outdated in 2025 (modern chips use 5–7 nm). However, for its time, it was a step forward: the smaller transistor size allowed for a 15% reduction in power consumption compared to its predecessors using 16 nm.

CPU: 8 Big.LITTLE cores

- 4 Cortex-A73 cores (up to 2 GHz) — for resource-intensive tasks.

- 4 Cortex-A53 cores (up to 2 GHz) — for background processes.

This architecture provides smooth operation for the OS and basic applications, but it lacks the power for multi-threaded tasks (such as video rendering).

GPU: Mali-G72 MP3

The graphics accelerator has three compute units. It supports Vulkan and OpenGL ES 3.2 but struggles with modern games. For instance, in Genshin Impact at medium settings, the frame rate barely reaches 25–30 FPS.

Cache and Memory

- L2 cache: 2 MB (modern processors have up to 8 MB).

- Support for LPDDR4X (up to 8 GB) and eMMC 5.1/UFS 2.1.


2. Performance in Real-World Tasks

Gaming

The Helio P60 is suitable for casual games (e.g., Among Us, Mobile Legends) and older titles like Asphalt 9 on medium settings. However, in Call of Duty: Mobile or Fortnite, users will need to reduce the resolution to HD and turn off effects.

Multimedia

- Video decoding: 4K@30fps (H.265/HEVC).

- Video recording: 4K@30fps, but stabilization is inadequate.

- Audio: 32-bit/192 kHz DAC for enhanced sound.

AI Tasks

The built-in neural processor (APU 1.0) accelerates scene recognition in the camera, portrait processing, and voice command handling. For example, the "AI portrait" mode blurs the background in real-time, but its quality falls short compared to modern smartphones with third-generation NPUs.

Power Consumption and Heating

With a TDP of 5 W and a 12 nm process, it provides up to 10 hours of screen time with a 4000 mAh battery. It rarely exceeds 40°C even under load, but in gaming, frame drops can occur due to throttling.


3. Integrated Modules

Modem

- 4G LTE Cat-7 (speed up to 300 Mbps).

- No 5G support — a major downside in 2025.

Wireless Interfaces

- Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), but lacking Wi-Fi 6.

- Bluetooth 4.2 (modern chips use BT 5.3).

- GPS, GLONASS, Galileo — navigation works reliably.

Cameras

Supports up to 32 MP cameras or dual 24+16 MP setups. AI algorithms enhance detail and color reproduction, but noise is noticeable in low-light conditions.


4. Comparison with Competitors

2025 Analogues

- Unisoc Tiger T620: 12 nm, Mali-G57 MP1, better GPU performance (+20%).

- Qualcomm Snapdragon 680: 6 nm, Adreno 610, better game optimization.

- MediaTek Helio G85: 12 nm, Mali-G52 MC2, focused on gaming.

Generational Progress

The Helio P60 even lags behind budget chips from 2025. For example, the Snapdragon 4 Gen 3 (4 nm) is 45% faster in AnTuTu and supports 5G.


5. Use Cases

Gaming

Only suitable for less demanding games. For PUBG Mobile or Diablo Immortal, at least Helio G99 is required.

Daily Tasks

- Social media, messengers, web browsing — no lags.

- Multi-window mode — up to 3–4 applications simultaneously.

Photo and Video Recording

Best results are achieved in daylight. Night shots require manual adjustment. 4K video is good for home movies but not for professional editing.


6. Pros and Cons

Advantages

- Low price of smartphones ($150–250).

- Good energy efficiency.

- Support for basic AI functions.

Disadvantages

- No 5G or Wi-Fi 6 support.

- Weak GPU for 2025 games.

- Limited software updates (often Android 12–13).


7. Tips for Choosing a Smartphone with Helio P60

1. RAM Size: At least 4 GB (preferably 6 GB for multitasking).

2. Display: IPS with a 60 Hz refresh rate — optimal choice.

3. Cooling: Models with copper pipes are less likely to throttle during gaming.

4. Brands: Realme, Xiaomi, and Oppo frequently use this chip in their budget lines (e.g., Redmi Note 12E).


8. Final Conclusion: Who is the Helio P60 for?

This processor is ideal for those who:

- Do not chase after novelties: need a smartphone for calls, social media, and occasional games.

- Are budget-conscious: devices with Helio P60 cost $150–250.

- Value battery life: up to 2 days of standby time.

Main benefits: low price, stable performance, support for essential functions. However, if you plan to use the smartphone for 3–4 years, it is better to consider models with 5G and more recent chips (like Snapdragon 6 Gen 2).


Conclusion

In 2025, the MediaTek Helio P60 is an example of a "workhorse" for the budget segment. It may not impress in terms of performance, but it ensures reliable operation of basic functions. If you're looking for an affordable gadget for everyday tasks, this processor is a reasonable choice. However, for gaming and future technologies (AR, 5G), it’s worth looking into more modern solutions.

Basic

Label Name
MediaTek
Platform
SmartPhone Mid range
Launch Date
February 2018
Manufacturing
TSMC
Model Name
MT6771
Architecture
4x 2 GHz – Cortex-A73 4x 2 GHz – Cortex-A53
Cores
8
Technology
12 nm
Frequency
2000 MHz
Transistor count
5.5

GPU Specifications

GPU name
Mali-G72 MP3
GPU frequency
800 MHz
FLOPS
0.0864 TFLOPS
Shading units
18
Execution units
3
OpenCL version
2.0
Vulkan version
1.3
Max display resolution
2160 x 1080
DirectX version
12

Connectivity

4G support
LTE Cat. 7
5G support
No
Bluetooth
4.2
Wi-Fi
5
Navigation
GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo

Memory Specifications

Memory type
LPDDR4X
Memory frequency
1800 MHz
Memory Bus
2x 16 Bit
Max Bandwidth
13.41 Gbit/s

Miscellaneous

Neural processor (NPU)
NeuroPilot
L2 Cache
2 MB
Audio codecs
AIFF, CAF, MP3, MP4, WAV
Max camera resolution
1x 32MP, 2x 24MP
Storage type
eMMC 5.1, UFS 2.1
Video capture
1K at 30FPS
Video codecs
H.264, H.265, VP8, VP9
Video playback
1080p at 30FPS
TDP
5 W
Instruction set
ARMv8-A

Benchmarks

Geekbench 6
Single Core Score
299
Geekbench 6
Multi Core Score
1156
FP32 (float)
Score
88
AnTuTu 10
Score
228849

Compared to Other SoC

Geekbench 6 Single Core
1638 +447.8%
995 +232.8%
701 +134.4%
345 +15.4%
299
Geekbench 6 Multi Core
2743 +137.3%
1847 +59.8%
1156
402 -65.2%
FP32 (float)
330 +275%
235 +167%
113 +28.4%
20 -77.3%
AnTuTu 10
545975 +138.6%
421461 +84.2%
316260 +38.2%
228849
59680 -73.9%