Introduction

The MediaTek Helio G91, Helio G85 and Helio G88 are entry-level 4G smartphone processors built around an eight-core CPU and a 12nm manufacturing process. They share very similar hardware, including two Cortex-A75 performance cores, six Cortex-A55 efficiency cores and a Mali-G52 MP2 GPU.

Although their hardware specifications are closely related, their benchmark results and multimedia capabilities are not identical. The Helio G91 offers support for a higher-resolution camera and newer Bluetooth connectivity, while the Helio G88 records the highest AnTuTu 11 score in NanoReview’s listed results. The Helio G85 also remains competitive, particularly in Geekbench 6 multi-core performance.

An important detail is that NanoReview gives all three processors the same overall score of 25/100. Their CPU, gaming and battery ratings are also identical. Therefore, this comparison looks beyond the overall rating to explain where the processors differ and what those differences mean for everyday smartphone use.

Helio G91 vs Helio G85 vs Helio G88: Key Specifications

The first important finding is that these three processors share almost the same CPU and GPU configuration. Their differences are mainly related to the camera capabilities, Bluetooth version, announcement date and the benchmark results recorded on NanoReview.

Source: NanoReview processor specifications. GFLOPS refers to theoretical graphics-processing performance.

CPU Architecture and Processing Performance

There is no major CPU architecture difference between the Helio G91, G85 and G88. All three use the same eight-core configuration with two Cortex-A75 cores running at 2.0GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores running at 1.8GHz.

The Cortex-A75 cores handle more demanding tasks, such as opening applications, processing instructions and running heavier workloads. The Cortex-A55 cores are designed for lighter tasks and background processes. This combination helps balance performance and power consumption.

Because the CPU core types and listed frequencies are identical, the specifications alone do not establish a clear CPU hardware winner. The Geekbench results show small differences, but these results can also be affected by the smartphone model, firmware, thermal behaviour and benchmark sample size.

NanoReview assigns all three processors a CPU performance rating of 18. This is an exact tie in its CPU rating system.

The practical takeaway is that a buyer should not expect a major CPU performance difference simply because a smartphone uses the G91 instead of the G85 or G88. The phone’s RAM configuration, storage performance, software and thermal management can be just as important.

GPU and Gaming Performance

The graphics hardware is also identical across these processors. Each uses the Mali-G52 MP2 GPU with a listed frequency of 1000MHz and theoretical performance of 96 GFLOPS.

This means there is no specification-based GPU advantage for the Helio G91 over the G85 or G88. All three have the same listed GPU architecture, frequency and theoretical throughput.

NanoReview gives every processor a gaming rating of 4. Their listed 3DMark Steel Nomad Light results are also close: the G91 scores 81, the G85 scores 80 and the G88 scores 82.

The G88 has the highest result in this particular test, but the difference is very small. It should not be interpreted as proof that every smartphone with a Helio G88 will deliver better gaming performance.

Actual gaming experience depends on more than the processor’s GPU specification. Game optimisation, graphics settings, RAM, software, cooling and display resolution all influence frame rates and stability.

These chipsets are suitable for everyday use and casual gaming, but they belong to the entry-level processor category. They should not be selected with the expectation of flagship-level graphics performance in demanding games.

Benchmark Comparison: AnTuTu 11, Geekbench 6 and PCMark

Benchmark results help explain how these processors perform in different workloads. However, a benchmark winner in one test is not automatically the fastest processor in every situation.

Source: NanoReview. GPU Compute results are not directly comparable across all three chips because the Helio G88 uses a different listed graphics API. Missing results are marked as “Not listed”.

AnTuTu 11 Performance

The Helio G88 leads AnTuTu 11 with 365,001 points. The Helio G91 follows with 354,158 points, while the Helio G85 records 348,562 points.

The difference between the G88 and G91 is 10,843 points. The G88 also leads the G85 by 16,439 points.

These results make the Helio G88 the AnTuTu 11 winner among the three processors. However, it is important to remember that all three have nearly identical listed CPU and GPU specifications. Differences in test devices and software conditions can influence benchmark scores.

AnTuTu measures several parts of a smartphone platform, including CPU, GPU, memory and user experience. It should therefore be treated as an overall platform benchmark, not a direct measurement of CPU speed alone.

Geekbench 6 Single-Core and Multi-Core

Geekbench 6 produces a different ranking.

In single-core performance, the Helio G88 achieves 430 points, followed by the Helio G85 with 419 points and the Helio G91 with 405 points.

In multi-core performance, the Helio G85 takes the lead with 1,461 points. The G91 records 1,407 points, while the G88 scores 1,375 points.

This split is useful because single-core and multi-core tests measure different aspects of CPU performance. Single-core results are relevant to workloads that rely heavily on one processing core, while multi-core results show how a processor handles workloads that can use several cores simultaneously.

The G88 is the single-core leader, while the G85 is the multi-core leader. The G91 does not lead either listed Geekbench CPU test.

There is also an important sample-size limitation. NanoReview lists fewer than three Geekbench CPU samples for the G91, compared with 35 tests for the G85 and 15 tests for the G88. The G91’s score should therefore be treated as particularly provisional.

GPU Compute and 3DMark

NanoReview lists Geekbench 6 GPU Compute scores of 1,078 for the G91, 1,056 for the G85 and 1,154 for the G88.

However, the G91 and G85 use Vulkan in the listed GPU Compute test, while the G88 uses OpenCL. Because different graphics APIs are involved, these scores should not be treated as a fully controlled three-way comparison.

The G91 has fewer than three GPU Compute samples, the G85 has 17 tests and the G88 has four tests. The limited G91 and G88 sample counts make firm conclusions less reliable.

The 3DMark Steel Nomad Light results offer a more direct comparison because all three pages list the same test. The G88 scores 82, the G91 scores 81 and the G85 scores 80. These results are extremely close and do not demonstrate a substantial graphics-performance difference.

The G85 and G88 pages also list Wild Life Extreme results, at 187 and 181 respectively. NanoReview does not list a corresponding result for the G91, so a three-way comparison is not possible for this test.

PCMark 3.0: Everyday Workloads

The Helio G91 records the highest PCMark 3.0 score at 9,091 points. The G88 follows with 8,575 points, while the G85 scores 8,539 points.

PCMark evaluates everyday smartphone workloads, including web browsing, writing, photo editing, video editing and data manipulation. Its results can help illustrate general system performance rather than focusing only on raw CPU or GPU processing.

The G91 leads this benchmark, but the number of tested phone models differs significantly: NanoReview lists three models for the G91, 20 for the G85 and 11 for the G88. The limited G91 device sample means its lead should be interpreted carefully rather than treated as a guaranteed advantage in every smartphone.

RAM, Memory Bandwidth and Storage

All three processors support LPDDR4X RAM with a listed maximum capacity of 8GB. Their memory frequency is 1800MHz, and their maximum memory bandwidth is 14.4Gb/s.

There is no specification-based memory winner here. The G91, G85 and G88 share the same listed memory type, frequency, bandwidth and maximum capacity.

Storage support is also identical. Each chipset supports eMMC 5.1 and UFS 2.1 storage. The actual storage technology used in a smartphone depends on the manufacturer’s configuration.

For everyday users, the installed RAM and storage type matter more than simply knowing the processor name. A phone with 8GB RAM and UFS storage may feel more responsive during multitasking and application loading than a model with less RAM or slower storage, even when both use the same chipset.

Display, Camera and Multimedia Capabilities

All three processors support a maximum display resolution of 2520 × 1080 pixels. This gives them similar listed display capabilities, although the final screen quality depends on the smartphone’s panel, refresh rate, brightness and calibration.

Camera support is where the Helio G91 has a clear specification advantage. It supports a maximum listed camera resolution of 108MP, compared with 64MP for the G88 and 48MP for the G85.

This makes the G91 the strongest option on paper for maximum supported camera resolution. However, a higher megapixel limit does not automatically produce better photographs. Sensor quality, lens design, image processing, autofocus and camera software all affect the final image.

The G91 also lists support for 2K video capture at 30FPS and 1K video capture at 60FPS. The G85 and G88 list 2K video capture at 30FPS.

All three list support for H.264, H.265 and VP9 video codecs. Their maximum supported display resolution is also identical, making the G91’s camera capability a more meaningful multimedia difference than its display specification.

Connectivity and Network Support

The Helio G91, G85 and G88 are all 4G processors. None supports 5G connectivity according to NanoReview.

Each chipset supports LTE Cat. 7, with listed maximum download speeds of up to 300Mbps and upload speeds of up to 100Mbps. They also share Wi-Fi 5 support.

Bluetooth is the main connectivity difference. The Helio G91 supports Bluetooth 5.4, while the G85 and G88 list Bluetooth 5.0.

Bluetooth 5.4 is the newest version among these three processors. It offers a newer wireless connectivity standard, but the features available to users also depend on the smartphone’s Bluetooth implementation and software.

For buyers who need a 5G connection, none of these processors is suitable. A smartphone with a newer 5G-capable chipset would be a better choice.

AI Processing and Battery Ratings

NanoReview lists a MediaTek APU for the Helio G91 and Helio G88. The Helio G85 page also confirms an NPU.

This means all three have a listed neural-processing capability. However, the presence of an NPU does not establish that a phone supports every modern AI feature. Actual AI capabilities depend on the processor implementation, supported software and the manufacturer’s integration.

For battery life, all three processors receive exactly the same NanoReview rating of 76. There is no battery-rating winner in this comparison.

The shared 12nm manufacturing process and similar CPU and GPU specifications also mean the listed processor details do not establish a clear efficiency winner. Real battery life depends heavily on battery capacity, display technology, network conditions, software optimisation and the way a phone is used.

Which Processor Should You Choose?

The MediaTek Helio G91 is the most recently announced processor in this comparison. It offers 108MP camera support, Bluetooth 5.4 and the highest listed PCMark 3.0 score. It is a sensible specification choice for someone comparing affordable phones with an emphasis on camera-resolution support and newer Bluetooth connectivity. Its Geekbench sample size is very small, so its performance figures should be interpreted cautiously.

The MediaTek Helio G85 remains competitive despite being the oldest processor here. It has the highest Geekbench 6 multi-core score and shares the same CPU and GPU specifications as its rivals. Its main limitation is its older Bluetooth 5.0 support and lower maximum camera-resolution specification.

The MediaTek Helio G88 leads AnTuTu 11 and Geekbench 6 single-core performance. It also has the highest listed Steel Nomad Light result, although the difference between all three processors is minimal. Its 64MP maximum camera support is between the G91 and G85.

Final Verdict

The Helio G91, Helio G85 and Helio G88 are very closely matched processors. All three use the same listed CPU architecture, GPU, memory configuration, manufacturing process and connectivity category. NanoReview also assigns them identical overall, CPU, gaming and battery ratings.

There is no overall winner according to NanoReview’s rating system. Instead, each processor leads in specific benchmark or specification categories.

Category winners:

• Overall NanoReview score: Three-way tie — 25.
• CPU performance rating: Three-way tie — 18.
• Gaming performance rating: Three-way tie — 4.
• Battery rating: Three-way tie — 76.
• AnTuTu 11: Helio G88.
• Geekbench 6 single-core: Helio G88.
• Geekbench 6 multi-core: Helio G85.
• PCMark 3.0: Helio G91.
• 3DMark Steel Nomad Light: Helio G88, with a very narrow lead.
• Maximum camera resolution: Helio G91.
• Bluetooth version: Helio G91.
• Memory capacity and bandwidth: Three-way tie.

For most buyers, the smartphone’s actual RAM, storage, camera sensor, display and software optimisation will matter more than the small differences between these three closely related chipsets. The Helio G91 has the more modern connectivity and camera specifications, the G88 leads selected benchmark results, and the G85 remains competitive in multi-core processing.

Data sources: NanoReview — MediaTek Helio G91 · NanoReview — MediaTek Helio G85 · NanoReview — MediaTek Helio G88

Specifications and benchmark figures checked on November 2, 2026.