you are building a new device, want support for modern gaming and UI technologies (Vulkan, OpenGL ES 3.2), care about power efficiency, and want a GPU that will remain useful for years to come. Its combination of Bifrost architecture, advanced API support, and robust memory compression technologies makes it the clear winner for any new embedded project.
The battle ended not with a bang, but with a product cycle.
This is where the generational gap becomes a chasm. Mali-g31 Mp2 Vs Mali-450
This is the G31’s superpower. Unlike the 450, the G31 supports Vulkan and OpenGL ES 3.2
: The Mali-G31 supports Vulkan and OpenGL ES 3.2 , which are essential for running modern Android apps and games. The Mali-450 is limited to OpenGL ES 2.0, meaning many newer apps won't even launch. you are building a new device, want support
The Mali-G31 was announced in 2018 as part of ARM’s new Valhall architecture family (specifically, the ultra-efficient G31 is based on the Bifrost architecture, clarified below). It was designed for the Cortex-A53 and A55 cores, targeting the modern "ultra-efficiency" market.
If you are shopping for a low-cost phone, a TV box, or a wearable, you will likely encounter these two names. On paper, the numbers “G31” suggest it is newer than “450.” But is it actually faster? Can a modern ultra-efficiency core beat a decade-old workhorse? This is where the generational gap becomes a chasm
will receive better driver support for newer operating systems. 5. Conclusion: Which One to Choose? If you are choosing between a device with a Mali-G31 MP2 Go to product viewer dialog for this item. and one with a in 2026, the . Choose Mali-G31 MP2 Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
Typically fabricated on 12nm or 14nm processes, allowing it to deliver higher performance while consuming significantly less battery and generating less heat. Technical Specifications Comparison ARM Mali-450 ARM Mali-G31 MP2 Architecture Utgard (Legacy) Bifrost (Modern) Release Year API Support OpenGL ES 1.1 / 2.0 OpenGL ES 3.2, Vulkan 1.1, OpenCL 2.0 Shader Core Type Separated (Vertex + Fragment) Unified Shaders Typical Clock Speed Up to 750 MHz Up to 850 MHz Process Node 28nm / 40nm 12nm / 14nm Anti-Aliasing 4x / 8x / 16x MSAA API Support: The Dealbreaker for Modern Software
The Mali-450 was announced by ARM in 2012 as the successor to the legendary Mali-400. It was the GPU of choice for the MediaTek MT6580 , MT8127 , Allwinner A33 , and early Rockchip SoCs. This chip powered the golden age of budget Android (Jelly Bean through Oreo).
, which is essentially a fixed-function pipeline with no support for modern unified shaders. API Support (The Dealbreaker) Mali-G31 MP2 : Supports OpenGL ES 3.2 Vulkan 1.2