MediaTek launches Dimensity 9600 Pro on TSMC’s 2nm process, taking direct aim at Qualcomm

MediaTek just fired a shot across Qualcomm’s bow. The Taiwanese chipmaker unveiled its Dimensity 9600 Pro and Dimensity 9600M, a pair of flagship mobile processors built on TSMC’s most advanced manufacturing technology, marking MediaTek’s most aggressive push into the premium smartphone segment to date. The Dimensity 9600 Pro is fabricated on TSMC’s 2nm (N2P) process node, while the 9600M uses the company’s 3nm technology. The numbers that matter MediaTek is claiming up to 17% higher single-core and 15% higher multi-core CPU performance compared to the previous generation. The real headline is power consumption: a 61% reduction in multi-core power draw. The chip’s dedicated neural processing unit delivers 51% higher performance for large language model prefill tasks. The 9600 Pro can handle generative AI models with up to 30 billion parameters running entirely on-device. Closing the gap with Qualcomm Pricing tells a strategic story. The Dimensity 9600 Pro carries an estimated price of up to $220, which puts it within striking distance of Qualcomm’s competing flagship chipsets that range from $240 to $260. MediaTek has already lined up some of the biggest names in Android smartphone...