MediaTek Launches Slightly Updated Dimensity 9500s and 8500 Chips
MediaTek has introduced two new chipsets, the Dimensity 9500s and Dimensity 8500, which appear to be modest revisions of its existing processors rather than entirely new designs. This move seems to be a response to Qualcomm’s recent Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 launch, aiming to offer competitive options for affordable flagship and upper mid-range smartphones.
Specifications and Features of the New Dimensity Chips
The Dimensity 9500s is manufactured using TSMC’s advanced N3E 3nm process, the same as its predecessor, the Dimensity 9500. It retains the same CPU architecture featuring only high-performance cores; however, instead of the latest Arm Cortex-X2 and C1 cores, the 9500s employs an older prime core, the Cortex-X925 clocked at 3.73GHz. This is complemented by three Cortex-X4 cores and four Cortex-A720 cores, a configuration identical to the previous Dimensity 9400 and 9400 Plus models.
On the graphics front, the 9500s continues to use the Immortalis-G925 GPU from the earlier flagship chipset. It also includes an eighth-generation NPU, likely the NPU 890, designed to support on-device generative AI applications. The integrated Imagiq ISP enables 8K video recording with Dolby Vision and focus tracking at up to 30fps, as well as 8K video capture at 60fps.
The Dimensity 8500, aimed at the upper mid-range segment, is built on TSMC’s 4nm process, consistent with the Dimensity 8400 and 8450. It features eight Arm Cortex-A725 cores running at a peak frequency of 3.4GHz, slightly higher than the 3.25GHz in its predecessors. The GPU remains the Mali-G720 but with enhanced performance. MediaTek claims this chip delivers a 25% boost in performance alongside a 20% improvement in power efficiency. Additional enhancements include improved AI-driven telephoto photography and gaming features such as frame stabilisation in more titles.
Context and Market Positioning
MediaTek’s strategy with these refreshed chipsets seems to mirror Qualcomm’s approach with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 non-Elite variant, offering slightly pared-down specifications while maintaining a flagship identity. This allows smartphone manufacturers to market new devices as high performers while managing component costs amid rising prices for memory and storage.
Earlier in the year, the Dimensity 8500 powered the Honor 200, launched in China, while the Dimensity 9500s is rumoured to be the engine behind the upcoming Redmi Turbo 5 series, also targeting the Chinese market. Details regarding the global release of devices featuring these new chipsets remain scarce at this time.
What to Expect Next
While these new MediaTek chipsets do not represent a significant leap forward, they provide manufacturers with refreshed options for mid to high-end devices. It will be interesting to see how these processors perform in real-world scenarios and how they stack up against Qualcomm’s latest offerings as more devices launch in the coming months.