MediaTek introduces MT6732 64-bit processor

Chip maker MediaTek is launching its first 64-bit processor. The MediaTek MT6732 is an ARM Cortex-A53 processor with Mali-T760 graphics and support for 4G LTE networks.

MediaTek says the new chip should be available commercially by the third quarter of 2014 and could be powering phones and tablets by the end of the year.

The MT6732 will be one of the first processors based on ARMv8 architecture. While there aren’t a lot of mobile applications that require 64-bit chips at that point, the technology paves the way for future advances — and means that you may be able to buy a phone later this year that has a pretty good chance of keeping up with OS and app updates a few years from now.

Apple’s latest iPhones and iPads already feature 64-bit ARM processors, which means that rival chip makers such as Samsung and MediaTek are playing catch up at this point.

MediaTek’s first 64-bit processor is a 1.5 GHz quad-core processor with support for WiFi, Miracast, Bluetooth and LTE and HSPA+ networks. It can work with cameras up to 13MP and supports low-power 1080p video recording.