Octa core processors in Windows Phone? Don't expect anytime soon

Microsoft's latest Windows Phone 8.1 platform has arrived with lot of new innovations to take on Android in terms of software part, but the company isn't going to compete with Android Smartphones with core race soon. Vineet Durani, who leads Windows Phone division in Microsoft in India, told TOI in an interview.


What I mean to say is, Microsoft won't jump on the race with Android Smartphone manufacturers to support Octa core processors on Windows Phone 8.1 running phones. There are lot of companies using octa core processors in their smartphones manufactured by Taiwanese firm MediaTek.

Even Samsung make own version of cota core processors (Exynos octa) on their high end Smartphones like Galaxy S5. Qualcomm one of the most renowned chip maker for smartphones and tablets also doesn't make Octa core processors, though they have currently unveiled two octa core processors the Snapdragon 610 in the MWC and Snapdragon 810 both will be available in smartphones later this year, and will be released commercially in the market next year.

"We don't have any plans to explore chipsets (processors and RAM etc) made by others... At this point of time companies making Windows Phone have to use the Qualcomm hardware," said Durani. "I can't comment on the future but I can say that we are highly committed to Qualcomm hardware. Qualcomm is a great partner and I don't see any reason to look at anybody else right now because the objective really is to push out great devices... affordable devices and we feel that we can do it with the Qualcomm hardware."

Currently Apple also sells iPhones and iPads with dual core processors, not even offers quad core processors, still it offers ample performance form smooth operation. Microsoft also provide solid performance on budget smartphones like Nokia Lumia 520/525 which are run on dual core Snapdragon 400 processors.

And now that Microsoft isn't charging operating fees for Indian smartphone manufacturers like Micromax, Lava, Karbonn, Xolo Windows Phone will be more affordable and also MS has tied partnership with Chinese ODMs (Original Design Manufacturers) like Foxconn and Longcheer so that any company can buy handsets from these ODMs and sell it locally (off course after re branding them), similar to what companies do with Android phones.

"The only difference (from Android ecosystem) is that we require certain level of hardware performance for a Windows Phone device. We have licensing agreements with Chinese ODMs and (local) companies can directly approach the ODMs to get Windows Phone devices. They don't even have to talk to Microsoft India," said Durani.

He further added that hardware requirements make sure WP users get a good experience, "Because you are adhering to a certain set of specifications, the performance of all Windows Phone devices is at a level that is acceptable to us," said Durani.