Nvidia has officially unveiled the Nvidia Tegra 4i, its first fully integrated 4G LTE mobile processor boasting the highest performance from any single-chip smartphone processor.
The Nvidia Tegra 4i will feature a 60 Core GPU and 2.3GHz quad-core CPU based on the newest ARM core the R4 Cortex A9, within a chip half the size of its competitors.
“Nvidia is delivering for the first time a single, integrated processor that powers all the major functions of a smartphone,” said Phil Carmack, Senior Vice President of the Mobile Business at Nvidia. “Tegra 4i phones will provide amazing computing power, world-class phone capabilities, and exceptionally long battery life.”
Nvidia Tegra 4i Features
The Nvidia Tegra 4i is a smartphone version of the recently launched Nvidia Tegra 4 processor, the successor to the incredibly popular Nvidia Tegra 3 chip already featured in a wide range of smart devices including the Google Nexus 7 and Microsoft Surface RT.
Featuring a modified ARM Cortex-A9, Nvidia and ARM worked together closely to improve the processor’s performance and efficiency by 15-30 per cent, especially in areas key to the smartphone experience, such as streaming and responsiveness. This partnership created the Nvidia Tegra 4’s new 2.3GHz quad-core R4 ARM Cortex-A9 processor, which also features the fifth battery saving core of the Nividia Tegra 4, making what Nvidia claims to be an extremely power-efficient and high-performance mobile processor.
A version of the Nvidia i500 LTE modem modified for smartphone integration also features in the Nvidia Tegra 4i, making it easy for phone manufacturers to upgrade their networking and scalability capabilities easily.
Mirroring the GPU architecture in the Nvidia Tegra 4, the Nvidia Tegra 4i offers a 60 Core GPU, five times larger than the Tegra 3, for stunning graphics and the ability to play at Full 1080p HD resolutions.
Originally demonstrated in the Tegra 4 chip was the Nvidia Chimera Computational Photography Architecture that provides advanced camera processing functionality. Nvidia Tegra 4i will offer always-on high dynamic range (HDR) and panoramic photos with HDR that stitches together composite images in real-time.
Another interesting camera feature will be the tap to track function, which allows users to tap an object or subject within the camera’s frame. The Nvidia Tegra 4i will then track that subject even if it moves out of frame or changes the viewing plane it is on, such as watching a child play football. It automatically adjusts focus and settings meaning users won’t ever miss a key moment.
Nvidia also introduced a reference smartphone platform as a blueprint for handset makers when designing future Tegra 4i smartphones, known as Phoenix, with a 5-inch 1080p resolution display and 4G LTE connectivity.
Nvidia Tegra 4i Release Date and Availability
Nvidia plan to bring the Nvidia Tegra 4 experience into the mainstream smartphone market with the Nvidia Tegra 4i this year. Sampling is currently taking place now, with the chips “ahead of schedule” and “very healthy in the labs” according to Nvidia’s Head of Product Marketing Matt Wuebbling.
The Tegra 4i should be appearing in phones by the end of this year in certain locations. By Q1 2013, the Tegra 4i processing chip should be available worldwide.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
