The graphics performance of the Tegra 4 has significantly improved as it now has 72 GPU cores, as opposed on the Tegra 3 which only had 12. NVIDIA says this will pave way for more realistic game experiences and high-resolution displays, like 1080p, which is expected to be included in a number of devices soon.
Tegra 4 will now also finally support LTE through an extra (read: not integrated) chipset, the Icera® i500. The Tegra 3 did not support LTE at the time, and a number of device manufacturers was forced to opt for the competing chipsets like that of Qualcomm’s just to bring their devices to many American carriers. NVIDIA says it is 40% less than the size of conventional modems and has 4 times more processor power.
It will also have a new feature which is what they call the Computational Photography Architecture. It will allow for almost-real-time HDR photo and video processing, by combining the powers of the GPU and CPU. It will also support 4K ultra-high definition video playback — that’s a 3140x2160 resolution out there.
As of now, there’s only two devices that has been announced to run on Tegra 4, Vizio’s 10-inch and 7-inch stock Android 4.2 Jelly Bean tablets.
NVIDIA Introduces World's Fastest Mobile Processor
Sunday, January 6, 2013
CES -- NVIDIA today introduced NVIDIA® Tegra® 4, the world's fastest mobile processor, with record-setting performance and battery life to flawlessly power smartphones and tablets, gaming devices, auto infotainment and navigation systems, and PCs.
Tegra 4 offers exceptional graphics processing, with lightning-fast web browsing, stunning visuals and new camera capabilities through computational photography.
Previously codenamed "Wayne," Tegra 4 features 72 custom NVIDIA GeForce™ GPU cores -- or six times the GPU horsepower of Tegra 3 -- which deliver more realistic gaming experiences and higher resolution displays. It includes the first quad-core application of ARM's most advanced CPU core, the Cortex-A15, which delivers 2.6x faster web browsing and breakthrough performance for apps.
Tegra 4 also enables worldwide 4G LTE voice and data support through an optional chipset, the fifth-generation NVIDIA Icera® i500 processor. More efficient and 40 percent the size of conventional modems, i500 delivers four times the processing capability of its predecessor.
"Tegra 4 provides enormous processing power and efficiency to power smartphones and tablets, gaming devices, auto systems and PCs," said Phil Carmack, senior vice president of the Tegra business at NVIDIA. "Its new capabilities, particularly in the area of computational photography, will help improve a whole range of existing products and lead to the creation of exciting new ones."
Computational Photography Capability
Among the Tegra 4 processor's breakthroughs is its Computational Photography Architecture, which automatically delivers high dynamic range (HDR) photos and video by fusing together the processing power of the GPU, CPU and the camera's image-signal processor.
Its HDR capability captures images, including those taken with a flash, the way they are seen by the human eye -- with detail in both bright and dark areas.
Unprecedented Power Efficiency
Designed for maximum energy efficiency, Tegra 4 includes a second-generation battery saver core for low power during standard use, and PRISM 2 Display technology to reduce backlight power while delivering superior visuals.
Tegra 4 consumes up to 45 percent less power than its predecessor, Tegra 3, in common use cases. And it enables up to 14 hours of HD video playback on phones.
Tegra 4 Key Features
GeForce GPU with 72 custom cores
Quad-core ARM Cortex-A15 CPU, plus a 2nd Generation Battery Saver Core
Computational Photography Architecture
LTE capability with optional Icera i500 chipset
4K ultra-high-def video support
About NVIDIA
NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA) awakened the world to computer graphics when it invented the GPU in 1999. Today, its processors power a broad range of products from smartphones to supercomputers. NVIDIA's mobile processors are used in cell phones, tablets and auto infotainment systems. PC gamers rely on GPUs to enjoy spectacularly immersive worlds. Professionals use them to create 3D graphics and visual effects in movies and to design everything from golf clubs to jumbo jets. And researchers utilize GPUs to advance the frontiers of science with high performance computing. The company has more than 5,000 patents issued, allowed or filed, including ones covering ideas essential to modern computing. For more information, see www.nvidia.com.