Intex to launch 'octacore' smartphone for Rs 20,000 in Jan

Phone will feature a six-inch screen, run on Android 4.2.2 JellyBean operating system and have a 1.7Ghz Octa core processor

Homegrown handset maker Intex Technologies will launch a new smartphone in January next year with octacore processor priced at about Rs 20,000.

The new processor from MediaTek allows all eight of the chipset's cores to run simultaneously offering better performance and higher power efficiency.

"Intex will be the first domestic smartphone mobile player to host this chipset on its Aqua smartphone range. The phone will be launched in early January at about Rs 20,000 for the 16GB version," Intex Technologies Business Head (Mobile) Sanjay Kumar Kalirona told PTI.

The 32GB version will be priced about Rs 2,000-3,000 higher, he added.

"Unlike existing octa-core solutions in the market, which can only activate half of their CPU cores at once, MediaTek True Octa-Core allows for all eight of its cores to run simultaneously," MediaTek General Manager (International Sales and Marketing) Finbarr Moynihan said.

He added that the company is in discussions to launch the chipset with other handset maker but declined to divulge names.

Intex is yet to christen the smartphone, which will feature a six-inch screen and run on Android 4.2.2 JellyBean operating system. It will have a 1.7Ghz Octa core processor and HD IPS touch-screen.