MediaTek Dimensity 9400 Sets New Standard For Android Phones

MediaTek is set to revolutionize the world of high-end Android devices with its new Dimensity 9400 chip, slated to debut in smartphones and tablets by late 2024. This chip represents a significant upgrade, promising cutting-edge features and enhancements for users.

The Dimensity 9400 utilizes TSMC’s advanced second-generation 3nm manufacturing process, transitioning from its 4nm predecessor and offering improved efficiency and performance. This shift is expected to yield a remarkable 40% increase in energy efficiency while boosting single-core CPU performance by 35% and multicore performance by 28%.

This processor follows an all-big-core configuration without any efficiency cores, featuring a standout Arm Cortex-X925 core capable of reaching speeds up to 3.62GHz. Additionally, it houses three Cortex-X4 cores running at 3.3GHz, along with four Arm Cortex-A720 cores peaking at 2.4GHz.

Graphics performance sees some impressive advancements as well. The new 12-core Immortalis G925 GPU is reported to deliver 41% higher raw performance and a 40% boost in ray tracing capabilities. Furthermore, this new graphics engine is designed to be 44% more efficient in power consumption.

MediaTek has also upgraded the memory interface to LPDDR5X, leading to approximately 25% enhancements in both performance and power efficiency. On the imaging front, the upgraded Imaqiq 1090 ISP is capable of 8K video capture at 60 frames per second, with HDR support integrated throughout the zoom range for both video and photo shoots.

Drawing inspiration from Google Pixel’s technology, the imaging engine introduces AI-assisted super zoom capabilities while reducing the power needed for 4K video recording at 60 fps by 14%. Furthermore, the Dimensity 9400 aims to incorporate an innovative AI-backed audio focus feature that eliminates unwanted noise during video capture, utilizing up to six microphones on a device.

MediaTek is placing a strong emphasis on AI within its flagship chip strategy. The new 8th generation neural processing unit (NPU) enhances support for what the company refers to as Agentic AI.

Despite a 35% reduction in power consumption, the AI engine boasts a twofold increase in diffusion performance and an 80% enhancement in tasks reliant on large language models (LLM). Notably, MediaTek claims that the Dimensity 9400 is poised to be the first mobile chip capable of supporting video generation on the device and LoRA training.

This capability appears ambitious, particularly given that AI-driven video generation typically requires substantial processing power. For instance, leading companies like OpenAI are still refining their models due to the immense computational resources required, which are not yet available in the public domain.

With significant developments in video generation technology, it will be intriguing to see which company is the first to launch such capabilities in a mobile device using advanced processors like the MediaTek Dimensity 9400.