MediaTek just launched two new chipsets, and it seems like they’re finally making good on a promise they made a while ago: bringing flagship-level performance to phones that don’t necessarily cost a thousand dollars. The new Dimensity 9500s and Dimensity 8500 aren’t just incremental updates; They seem to be a conscious attempt to bridge the gap between “good enough” and “top notch.”
The Dimensity 9500s is clearly the headliner here. It is based on the state-of-the-art 3nm process, which is very important for efficiency. What’s interesting is the architecture – they use an “all big core” design, meaning they’ve ditched the tiny efficiency cores that normally handle background tasks. Instead, you get a massive Cortex-X925 Ultra core running at a blazing 3.73GHz, supported by Cortex-X4 and Cortex-A720 cores.
In plain language? This thing is a beast
It’s designed to handle demanding gaming and on-device AI without breaking a sweat. The Immortalis G925 GPU is probably the star for gamers. It offers advanced ray tracing and new frame rate technology (MAGT 3.0), which should ensure smooth gaming without draining the battery within an hour.
Then there is the AI side of things. We’re seeing a huge push for generative AI on device, and the 9500 is optimized for exactly that. It’s not just about flashy chatbots; It’s about practical things like fixing your photos instantly or summarizing messy meeting notes. Camera support looks wild too, with 8K Dolby Vision recording and a new ISP that’s said to be much better at motion tracking than before.
On the slightly cheaper side we have the Dimensity 8500
This is based on a 4nm process and takes a slightly different approach. It uses eight Cortex-A725 cores, which is a smart decision for battery life while still offering plenty of speed (up to 3.4GHz). MediaTek claims that the new Mali-G720 GPU inside offers a 25% jump in performance over the last generation while consuming 20% less power. For most people, this is the chip that matters most, as it brings high-end features like ray tracing and AI photography to the phones that people actually buy in bulk.
The big picture here is that MediaTek is increasing the performance of smartphones. If you get a “premium” phone that isn’t a true “flagship” later this year, you probably won’t feel like you’re compromising on speed or camera quality anymore. Whether you value gaming, battery life, or just a phone that doesn’t lag when switching apps, these new chips are good news for everyone.
