Imagination’s PowerVR graphics chips will make gadgets affordable in Asia and Latin America

Imagination Technologies has taken the wraps off a new generation of PowerVR graphics chips that will be targeted at high-performance, low-power, and low-cost consumer devices. The graphics processing units (GPUs) will be aimed at everything from low-cost portable devices to 4K televisions.

The company unveiled the chips today at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The chips could enable consumers in places like Latin America or Asia to buy more affordably priced consumer devices, ranging from tablets to smart TVs. Imagination calls this the “ultra affordable market.”

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The company said the PowerVR Series8XE GPUs will deliver the best performance with the smallest silicon footprint and power profile, while also incorporating advantaged features such as hardware virtualization, multi-domain security, and support for new graphics standards.

“Imagination still holds the performance end of the mobile GPU market, as shown by its IOS design wins,” said Loyd Case, senior analyst at The Linley Group, a chip analyst firm, in an email. “The Series 8XE now gives them a stronger contender with entry-level smartphones and emerging IoT applications needing better graphics quality.”

Imagination is supporting applications programming interfaces (APIs) such as OpenGL ES 3.2 and Vulkan 1.0. That means it will be possible to use the chips in a wide array of devices.

Peter McGuinness, director of multimedia technology marketing, said in a statement, “Because of the differentiation it provides, PowerVR GPUs are at the heart of the best-selling phones, tablets, and automotive infotainment units. With the new Series8XE, we’re enabling chip companies and OEMs targeting cost-sensitive applications to provide the best possible user experience at the lowest power and area budgets. We believe it is the best entry-level GPU core ever designed.”

The new Series8XE GPUs have already been licensed by multiple lead customers for mobile devices, tablets, 4K TVs, over-the-top set-top boxes, automotive, and wearables. They are now being released for general licensing, enabling a wider range of companies to leverage PowerVR.

PowerVR Series8XE GPUs are designed to provide the best experience on graphical user interface (GUI), human machine interface, browser and email applications, as well as casual games.

The new chips are 25 percent smaller than the previous Series7XE GPUs for the same speeds, 60 to 100 percent better in performance given the same size chip, and 30 to 45 percent smaller than rival GPU cores, Imagination claimed.

4K Ultra HD television sets are selling for as low as $549. You can thank chips like this one for that, the company said.

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