MediaTek's Dimensity 9600, built on TSMC's 2nm N2P, targets Snapdragon 8 Gen 6 with cooler, efficient performance and a strong AI NPU for premium flagships.
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MediaTek looks set to keep pace with Qualcomm, preparing to launch the flagship Dimensity 9600. The newcomer is positioned between the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and its Pro version. Both competing Qualcomm chips are built on TSMC’s 2-nanometer N2P process, and MediaTek has reportedly opted for the same technology.
The Dimensity 9600 is expected to run faster than the baseline Snapdragon 8 Gen 6, while trailing the Pro variant slightly in graphics and support for LPDDR6 memory. Even so, MediaTek’s engineers are prioritizing stability, power efficiency, and cool operation—qualities that Qualcomm flagships often lack.
The company does not plan to split the lineup and, according to reports, will stick to a single Dimensity 9600 configuration focused on ARM architecture and a powerful NPU for AI tasks. Internal tests already circulating among insiders point to high performance with lower power draw.
Together, these moves signal a shift toward a more mature flagship market, where not only raw numbers but the balance between speed and comfort matters. Judging by how the Dimensity series is evolving, MediaTek could, for the first time, seriously challenge Qualcomm in the premium tier. The strategy comes across as measured rather than flashy—and well timed.