Mediatek M60: An Impressive 5G Performer for IoT Devices

Arjun Agarwal
4 min readDec 11, 2023

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While the MediaTek M60 RedCap modem shows promise for 5G-enabled wearables, AR devices, and other IoT products, it’s still early to assess its real-world performance conclusively. Here’s a breakdown of what we know so far:

Potential performance benefits:

Low power consumption: MediaTek claims the M60 offers up to 70% lower power consumption compared to similar 5G eMBB solutions and up to 75% power savings compared to 4G LTE solutions. This translates to longer battery life for connected devices.

Reduced PCB size: The T300 chipset series featuring M60 boasts a 60% reduction in PCB size compared to 4G IoT solutions, making it ideal for space-constrained devices.

Integrated AI: The M60’s integrated AI capabilities enable on-device intelligence for Edge AI applications, enhancing features and personalization for users.

Improved coverage: Support for R17 Coverage enhancement promises extended coverage and signal strength, especially in challenging environments.

Small data optimization: R17 Small data transmission reduces data usage for low-bandwidth applications, improving efficiency and potentially lowering costs.

However, some striking specs that need consideration:

Balanced Performance for Many Users:

The M60 modem may still provide sufficient data rates for a broad range of users and applications. Not everyone requires ultra-high data speeds, and for many users, the M60’s rates may be more than adequate.
Stability and Reliability:

The M60’s data rates, while lower than some competitors, might still offer a stable and reliable connection. In scenarios where consistent performance is more critical than peak speeds, the M60 could be a dependable choice.

Potential for Optimization:

As the M60 modem becomes more widely adopted, manufacturers and developers may work on optimizing its performance through firmware updates or software enhancements. This could potentially improve real-world performance beyond initial expectations.

Integrated Solutions:

Devices using the MediaTek T300 SoC have an integrated solution with the M60 modem. This integration could lead to better power efficiency and overall system optimization, providing a positive user experience.

Future Market Expansion:

As the M60 modem gains traction and MediaTek expands its compatibility to other SoCs, the modem’s availability may increase. This would allow for broader comparisons with other solutions and foster competition, potentially driving further improvements in performance and features.

Competitive Pricing:

If devices featuring the M60 modem are competitively priced, it could make them attractive to a broader consumer base. Cost-effective solutions that meet the needs of many users can contribute to the overall success and adoption of the technology.

Overall, the MediaTek M60 Red Cap modem appears to be a promising technology offering several advantages for low-power, low-bandwidth 5G applications. However, its true performance capabilities and impact on the market require further observation and testing in real-world deployments.

MediaTek M60 modem is a promising new product with several potential benefits for 5G-enabled wearables, AR devices, and other IoT products. Supports 3GPP Release 17 standard with features like R17 UE power saving, R17 Coverage enhancement, and R17 Small data transmission. Integrated AI enables Edge AI applications for smart features and personalization.

This promising mediatek modem makes 5G connectivity more accessible for manufacturers and consumers. Supports peak downlink and uplink speeds of 227 Mbps and 122 Mbps respectively. There is an optimization of data usage for low-bandwidth applications. Integrated AI enables on-device intelligence for Edge AI applications that have quite potential in terms of the 5G IoT devices and also implement greater productivity. There is a 70% lower power consumption noted as compared to similar 5G solutions, the M60 boasts a significant reduction in power consumption. In the aspect of the mediatek chipset, there is a better reach and also integrates sustained performance in the aspect of connectivity.

The M60’s data rates are lower compared to other 5G modems, focusing on efficiency rather than raw speed. With the aspect of the connectivity and the integrated architecture. Overall, the MediaTek M60 appears to be a good choice for developers and manufacturers looking to add 5G connectivity to their wearable, AR, and IoT devices.

Its low power consumption, compact size, and affordability make it particularly attractive for battery-powered and space-constrained applications. However, it’s important to consider its limitations, especially if high performance is a critical factor.

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Arjun Agarwal

Foodie, Wanderer, Techie, Movie Enthusiast, Artist. Jack of all, Master of One….