MediaTek has introduced its latest flagship smartphone processor, the Dimensity 9600 Pro, built using Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co’s (TSMC) advanced 2-nanometre manufacturing technology as the chipmaker looks to strengthen its position in the premium smartphone market.
The company has also announced the Dimensity 9600M, which is manufactured using TSMC’s 3nm process and is aimed at a wider segment of high-end smartphones. MediaTek said smartphones powered by the new processors are expected to arrive soon.
A major focus of the Dimensity 9600 Pro is artificial intelligence. The processor includes a dedicated neural processing unit (NPU) designed to handle more demanding generative AI workloads directly on smartphones.
According to MediaTek, the new NPU delivers a 51% improvement over the previous generation in processing a user’s prompt before an AI model begins generating a response. This could help smartphones perform more AI-related tasks locally rather than relying entirely on cloud-based processing.
The development comes as smartphone manufacturers increasingly use AI features for photography, productivity, gaming and other applications. Faster local AI processing could also improve responsiveness while potentially reducing the need to send certain tasks to remote servers.
With the Dimensity 9600 Pro, MediaTek is seeking a larger share of the premium smartphone segment, an area where Qualcomm has traditionally been a major competitor.
The company has supplied processors to major Chinese smartphone brands including Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo, and the first phones using the new chips are expected to launch soon.
The move also comes as flagship smartphone prices continue to rise because of higher component costs and growing demand for advanced AI hardware.
MediaTek senior executive JC Hsu said the company is working with smartphone manufacturers on ways to manage the impact of rising component costs on consumers, while arguing that the shift toward more expensive devices could create additional opportunities for the company in the flagship market.
The company’s AI strategy extends beyond mobile devices. MediaTek is also expanding into data-centre and custom-chip solutions as demand for AI infrastructure grows.
MediaTek’s first AI accelerator designed for a major US cloud-service provider is expected to enter mass production in the fourth quarter of 2026.
The company also raised $3.9 billion through a convertible bond sale last month. Nvidia invested $3.5 billion in the offering, while Alphabet, a long-term MediaTek partner in AI infrastructure, also participated.
The launch of the Dimensity 9600 Pro therefore marks more than a new smartphone processor. It reflects MediaTek’s broader push to compete in premium mobile hardware while building a larger role in the rapidly expanding AI chip market.
