(Credit: MediaTek)
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MediaTek is the world’s biggest producer of smartphone chips, and its next-gen flagship, the MediaTek Dimensity 9500, is expected to power many of the top Android phones released throughout the rest of the year and into 2026.
So far, two brands have confirmed they will use the Dimensity 9500 on phones: Oppo and Vivo. Oppo’s next flagship phone, the Find X9 series, will sport the next-gen chipset from MediaTek, while Vivo will use it for its next unnamed flagship phone. Neither is expected to launch in the US, and it's unlikely we'll see any phones sold there with a Dimensity 9500 onboard.
The Dimensity 9500 is more powerful than its predecessor, thanks to the company’s third-generation All Big Core CPU changes. It allows for 32% higher single-core performance and 17% higher multi-core performance when compared with 2024’s Dimensity 9400 chipset.
It’s also more power efficient than last year's model, with the brand saying its 4.21GHz ultra core can consume up to 55% less power at its peak performance. The GPU is also improved, with 33% better peak performance and 42% better power efficiency. It also allows games to support ray tracing at 120 frames per second.
One of MediaTek's biggest improvements is the neural processing unit used for AI features, especially when it comes to power efficiency. Its new Super Efficient NPU tech will be capable of "significantly reducing power consumption and enabling AI models to run continuously."
That should ultimately allow for AI processes on your phone to take place without using as much battery life. It's unclear how companies will use this functionality, but it may connect directly to Android and its AI capabilities.
Imaging is the last big improvement, and it allows manufacturers to introduce 200MP cameras onto phones. It also helps brands introduce 4K and 60fps portrait video and RAW-domain pre-processing tech.
MediaTek chose this week to announce its new flagship chip as its closest rival, Qualcomm, is set to unveil its Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 at an event on Sept. 23.
MediaTek chips are available in many phones sold in the US, but they’re normally found on low-end or midrange devices. For example, the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G sports a MediaTek chip. Qualcomm's flagship chip is often the go-to option for top-end phones, while some rivals, such as Apple and Google, choose to make their own tech.
Oppo and OnePlus flagship phones are now more similar than ever in recent generations, but that doesn't mean you should expect the upcoming OnePlus 15 to switch from a Qualcomm chip to a MediaTek option. Multiple leaks and rumors have pointed to OnePlus using the Snapdragon Elite Gen 5 chip.