Nokia Corp., the world’s largest maker of phones that struggles to sustain its market share, is projected to release its first phone powered by an Intel Atom system-on-chip as well as MeeGo operating system (OS). The phone is said to feature a high quality camera and is expected to be Nokia’s highest-performing smartphone.

Nokia N9 will feature Intel Atom system-on-chip with 1.2GHz clock-speed, 12MP camera, 4” OLED-type screen and perhaps LTE networks support, according to a news-story by Processori.fi web-site that cites market rumours. The smartphone is projected to utilize MeeGo operating system, which was jointly developed by Intel and Nokia. The model N9 is projected to be launched at the Mobile World Congress, which will take place on 14 – 17 February in Barcelona, Spain.

It is unclear which Atom-based SoC powers the smartphone, but it is likely that the novelty is based on a Moorestown chip also known as Atom Z600-series.

Moorestown comprises of Atom Z600-series system-on-a-chip, code-named “Lincroft”, which integrates the 45nm processor, Intel GMA 600 graphics core (OpenGL ES 2.0, OpenGL 2.1, OpenVG 1.1, 400MHz), 32-bit LPDDR1/DDR2 memory controller and video encode/decode onto a single chip; Intel Platform Controller Hub MP20 codenamed “Langwell”, which supports a range of I/O ports to connect with wireless, storage, and display components in addition to incorporating several board level functions; and dedicated Mixed Signal IC (MSIC) code-named "Briertown”.

Building on the C6 state in the original Intel Atom processor design, the Atom Z600-series SoC incorporates new ultra-low-power states (S0i1 and S0i3), which take the SoC to 100mW. At the platform level, Intel implemented a new, fine grain OS power management approach that manages the idle and active power states across all aspects of the system based on usage scenarios. This software-managed technique applies aggressive power and clock gating across the SoC's power islands and system voltage rails. Additionally, Intel used a new high-K 45nm LP SoC process to support a multiple transistor design with a range of high-voltage I/Os.

Collectively these new chips deliver significantly lower power including >50x

If the rumours about the Nokia N9 are true, this will be the first smartphone based on Intel Atom chip, the first cell phone powered by MeeGo operating system and one of the first handsets supporting 4G LTE networks.

Considering the fact that the unofficial information comes from a Finnish web-site, which potentially may have access to Nokia insiders (Nokia is based in Finland), it has a high probability to be credible. Nonetheless, at present it should be considered as a rumour.

Intel and Nokia did not comment on the news-story.

Tags: Intel, Nokia, N9, Moorestown, MeeGo