A 61% reduction in multi-core power consumption. That single stat tells you everything about where the chip wars are headed right now. It’s not just about raw speed anymore. MediaTek announced the Dimensity 9600 Pro on September 15, making it the first chipmaker to hit the 2nm process node for mobile. That’s a genuinely big deal.
What the new chip actually does
The Dimensity 9600 Pro runs a 2+3+3 All Big Core CPU layout, with the top cores clocked up to 4.55GHz. Compared to the previous generation, you’re looking at 17% better single-core performance and 15% better multi-core performance. So yes, it’s faster and dramatically more efficient at the same time. That combination is exactly what phone makers have been chasing.
On the AI side, MediaTek is pushing hard on on-device processing. The dual-NPU setup supports language models up to 30 billion parameters, delivers 51% faster LLM prefill speeds, and cuts always-on AI power draw by 40%. For gaming, the G2-Ultra NX GPU hits up to 185fps with 27% more peak performance and faster ray tracing.
What else is in the box
- LPDDR6 memory and UFS 5.0 storage, both firsts for the Dimensity line
- 4K240 ultra-slow-motion video capture
- 4K60 AI True Color Tone and 17EV imaging
- A companion chip, the Dimensity 9600M, aimed at bringing similar performance to more affordable flagships
Why this matters beyond the spec sheet
The 2nm jump isn’t just a marketing checkbox. Better efficiency means longer battery life and cooler running phones, which actually affects day-to-day use. Qualcomm is MediaTek’s main competition here, and this puts real pressure on whatever Snapdragon has coming next. Phones powered by both new chips are expected to ship this quarter.