The MT6517ATA is an entry-level chipset designed for basic smartphones, providing just enough performance for essential tasks. It features a single-core ARM Cortex-A7 processor, which offers modest performance for running apps, basic browsing, and handling phone calls and messages. At a clock speed of up to 1.0 GHz, it is well-suited for users who don't require the high processing power found in more advanced chipsets. While the single-core design does not support heavy multitasking, it is sufficient for the primary functions of a budget smartphone.

The Mali-400 MP GPU adds basic graphics capabilities to the MT6517ATA, making it capable of handling HD video playback and light 3D gaming. The GPU is not suitable for more demanding games or video rendering, but it can easily manage everyday entertainment tasks like watching YouTube videos or playing casual games. The chipset supports display resolutions up to HVGA (480x320), which is typical for lower-end smartphones. This resolution is sufficient for general use but does not offer the sharpness and clarity found in higher-end devices with HD or Full HD displays.

In terms of camera functionality, the MT6517ATA supports up to a 5 MP rear camera, which is adequate for basic photography and video recording. While it won't rival higher-end smartphones in terms of image quality, it can still capture decent photos and record 720p HD videos, suitable for sharing on social media or personal use.

Connectivity-wise, the MT6517ATA offers HSPA 3G support, which is good for basic browsing, messaging, and accessing social media. With speeds of up to 14.4 Mbps, users can experience reasonable download and upload speeds for typical internet activities. It also supports Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n for wireless networking and Bluetooth 3.0 for connecting to wireless peripherals like headsets or speakers. GPS with A-GPS is supported, allowing for location-based services and navigation, though it might not be as fast or accurate as more modern GPS systems.

The dual-SIM functionality of the MT6517ATA allows users to manage two SIM cards at the same time, a valuable feature in markets where people often use separate SIM cards for personal and work purposes or to take advantage of cheaper data and call plans from different mobile carriers.

Power efficiency is a critical feature for budget smartphones, and the MT6517ATA is designed with MediaTek's power-saving technology to ensure that devices running this chipset can last throughout the day with moderate use. By managing energy consumption effectively, the MT6517ATA ensures longer battery life, which is an essential aspect of smartphones in this category.