The Mali‑450 MP4 (four‑core version) scores roughly in 3DMark Ice Storm Extreme and 5,530 points in 3DMark Ice Storm Unlimited, according to Notebookcheck's aggregated data. Note that these numbers are for a 4‑core variant; the 2‑core version would be roughly half that. Even then, because the Mali‑450 cannot run Vulkan or OpenGL ES 3.0+ titles, many modern apps and games are simply not available.
Choose only if:
"And they want to watch them without their devices melting," the G31 said. "I use 20% less energy and take up less space on the chip. While you’re huffing and puffing to draw a basic 3D UI, I’m cruising. I brought 'premium' features to the 'entry-level' world. I am the reason cheap phones don't feel cheap anymore."
The Mali-G31 MP2 is significantly more capable in gaming and modern applications. Because it supports Vulkan , it can handle modern Android games (like PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact on low settings) much better, utilizing modern rendering techniques. It provides smoother UI transitions and better overall responsiveness in Android 10+ devices. Mali-g31 Mp2 Vs Mali-450
Support for Vulkan means better CPU utilization and smoother frame rates in apps optimized for modern Android versions (Android 9.0 through Android 13+). Video Playback and Smart TV Box Performance
There is no scenario where the Mali-450 is superior. Even if the phone with G31 has half the RAM, the graphics stack is so much more efficient that it will provide a better experience.
This is where the G31 demolishes the older chip. The Mali-450 lacks unified shaders. It has dedicated pixel processors and vertex processors. If a scene requires complex lighting (shaders), the Mali-450 stalls. The G31 features Bifrost's "Execution Engines" which handle vertex, geometry, and compute simultaneously. Mali-G31 (by a factor of 2-3x in compute-heavy tasks) The Mali‑450 MP4 (four‑core version) scores roughly in
A vast majority of modern Android applications, advanced UI launchers, and games require at least OpenGL ES 3.0 or Vulkan to launch. If you try to run modern apps on a Mali-450 device, you will experience frequent app crashes, missing textures, black screens, or an outright refusal from the Google Play Store to let you download the app. The Mali-G31 MP2 ensures complete compatibility with current software ecosystems. Real-World Performance Comparison
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ ARM ARCHITECTURE GAP │ ├────────────────────────────┬────────────────────────────┤ │ Mali-450 (2012) │ Mali-G31 MP2 (2018) │ │ "Utgard" Framework │ "Bifrost" Framework │ │ Separated Shader Cores │ Unified Shader Engines │ └────────────────────────────┴────────────────────────────┘ The Legacy Utgard Framework (Mali-450)
"I have more cores than you!" the 450 barked, slamming a hand on the table. "I can have up to eight fragments working at once!" Choose only if: "And they want to watch
Released in 2012, the Mali-450 is based on ARM’s older Utgard architecture. This architecture utilizes a rigid, split pipeline design. It features dedicated vertex processors (which handle 3D shapes) and dedicated fragment/pixel processors (which handle coloring and lighting).
The Mali-G31 remained. He was not a hero; he was a survivor. He was the entry-level standard, the bare minimum required to call a device a "smartphone" in the modern era. He took the crown, but he wore it heavily. He knew he was the weakest of his lineage, often mocked by his bigger brothers, the G52 and G715.
What specific are you choosing between?
API support determines which applications and games can actually run on the hardware. Feature / API Mali-G31 MP2 Utgard (2012) Bifrost (2018) Shader Model OpenGL ES 1.1, 2.0, 3.0, 3.2 Vulkan API Vulkan 1.0 / 1.1 OpenCL OpenCL 2.0 Full Profile The OpenGL and Vulkan Divide
for modern, affordable streaming setups. It provides an optimal baseline experience for 4K HDR TV boxes, budget tablets, and basic smart-home displays without breaking the bank.