MediaTek unveils the Dimensity 9600 Pro, its first phone SoC on TSMC's 2nm node, and the 3nm 9600M, with boosted AI performance, as it competes with Qualcomm

The cost of high-end smartphone components, like the chips powering flagship devices, is now subject to significant price increases. This means devices utilizing these new chips will likely become more expensive for consumers starting later this year.

MediaTek has launched its Dimensity 9600 Pro and Dimensity 9600M mobile system-on-chips (SoCs). The Dimensity 9600 Pro is built on TSMC's 2nm process and features an "All Big Core" CPU cluster with two Arm C2-Ultra cores at 4.55GHz, three Arm C2-Pro cores at 4.35GHz, and three Arm C2-Pro cores at 3.10GHz. It supports LPDDR6 RAM and UFS 5.0, boasting a new Arm Mali G2-Ultra NX GPU with advanced ray tracing capabilities and an AI engine capable of handling 30 billion local AI models. The Dimensity 9600M, also on the 2nm node, uses a "1 + 3 + 4" octa-core CPU configuration and supports LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.1. Both chips offer significant boosts in AI performance, gaming frame rates, and power efficiency, positioning MediaTek to compete directly with Qualcomm's flagship offerings. Initial smartphone releases featuring these SoCs are anticipated later this year.

MediaTek's adoption of TSMC's 2nm process for its Dimensity 9600 Pro and 9600M signifies a significant advancement in mobile chip manufacturing, pushing the boundaries of performance and efficiency. The emphasis on AI capabilities, particularly the ability to handle large local AI models and accelerate generative AI tasks, highlights a strategic pivot towards on-device intelligence. This move challenges Qualcomm's dominance and signals an intensifying competition to provide more powerful and capable smartphone experiences, directly influencing the next generation of premium Android flagships.

The introduction of LPDDR6 RAM and UFS 5.0 support in the Dimensity 9600 Pro indicates a broader industry trend towards faster memory and storage technologies, which will eventually trickle down to other device categories. MediaTek's dual-pronged approach with the Pro and standard variants allows for broader market segmentation, potentially offering competitive performance across different price points within the flagship segment. Consumers can expect more sophisticated AI features, enhanced gaming experiences, and improved power efficiency in upcoming devices, setting a new benchmark for mobile computing.