Huawei Ascend D Quad, The quad-Core revolution
The new generation of flagship Android be as powerful as your PC. But do you actually need all that speed?
The unstoppable rise in tbe speed and power of smartphones continues. Four manufacturers have unveiled new handsets we'll be getting in the UK with quad-core processors, delivering the kind of the performance previously only seen on a PC.
Three of the devices — HTC's One X. LG's Optimus 4X HD and the ZTE Era - use NVidia's Tegra 3 chip. This innovative ‘4-plus-1' chip actually includes a quad-core CPU with an extra fifth core designed to handle low power functions such as pulling in emails and text messages. or sitting in standby mode. This means that quad-core handsets should be more battery efficient than current dual-core devices, while stlll offering significantly more power when it’s needed.
The fourth phone comes from Huawei, a manufacturer with grand plans to become one of the big players in the mobile space. The company has gone a step further in developing its own quad-core CPU. the K3v2. Huawei claims the 64-bit chip is as powerful as a desktop PC, and between zo and 50% more powerful than the Tegra 3, enabling the company to label its new smartphone as the world's most powerful.
And if any phone will turn Huawei into a contender the Ascend D Quad will be it. Combine that processor with a 4.5-inch, 72.op display with outstanding pbtel density of 326ppi, and an improved eight-megapixel camera all in a chassis measuring just 8.9mm and you've got the makings of a very impressive device indeed.
Yet in spite of all this it’s still not quite as simple as saying that quad-core is faster than dual-core.
Software needs to be optimised to take advantage of multiple cores. Ice Cream Sandwich is, meaning that browsing the system using the main Android apps, and Multitasting should all be noticeably Snappier.But most third-party apps are'nt and weren't for dual-core eithir-so the majority will only make use of one or two of the cores.
giving to tagible benefit over a single or dual-core device.Naturally the number of optimised apps will increase when the handsets become more common but even then it is likly to be only high-endgames and more advanced apps that really see the benefit.
Choice of skins
Huawei has put two options for skins onto the D Quad.There's their own launcher. packed with 30 effects and eye-candy galore. and therels also the stock Android Ul for those that prefer something more streamlined.
Battery size
The 1SODrn.¤lh battery should keep the D Quad ticking along- depending on the power efficiency of its new processor Huawei has also produced an XL version with larger hatneryas well.
Spec battle
The D Quad may be an impressive handset on paper. but there's more to a phone than specs alone. HTC announced Its One range with 140 carrier deals lined up around the world something that Huawei will not able to compete with
Huawei Ascend D Quad
»Processor Huawei K3v21.5GHz
»memory 1GB RAM
» Screen¤4.5-Inch, 720x1,280 pixels
»Key features; 8-MP camera. large battery
» Available from; Q2
