MediaTek has announced the availability of its third-generation platform for entry-level to mid-range Android smartphones. Dubbed MT6575, the new solution offers a 1GHz ARM Cortex-A9 processor and a proven 3G/HSPA modem, designed for phones running Google's latest Ice Cream Sandwich operating system.

For mid-range smartphones, the MT6575 platform supports 720p high-definition video playback and recording with an 8-megapixel camera and qHD (960x540) high-resolution displays via a PowerVR SGX-series5 GPU from Imagination Technologies, MediaTek said. Additionally, the MT6575 provides built-in support for advanced features such as integrated capabilities to drive 3D displays and proprietary algorithms for mobile display picture processing.

The MT6575 platform also supports entry-level smartphones with smaller display sizes, lower resolution, less memory and reduced multimedia requirements, MediaTek indicated.

Built using 40nm CMOS process technology, the MT6575 is currently being incorporated into the latest smartphone offerings by many of MediaTek's leading customers with first models based on this new platform scheduled to hit the market in the first quarter of 2012, the chip supplier noted.

Citing Strategy Analytics, MediaTek said that the market for sub-US$190 smartphones will expand to 550 million units by 2016. Of the number, 75% will be shipped to China and other emerging markets, MediaTek quoted the research firm as saying.