MediaTek has confirmed the launch of its next-generation flagship mobile processor on September 22, 2025, just a day before Qualcomm’s highly anticipated Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. This scheduling underscores the escalating competition between the Taiwanese and American chip manufacturers in the premium smartphone processor sector. While MediaTek has yet to officially name the chip, industry insiders and leaks indicate it is likely to be called the Dimensity 9500, following last year’s Dimensity 9400. Currently, the Dimensity 9400 powers high-end devices such as the Oppo Find X8 Pro but is perceived as being behind Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite in raw performance.
Recent Geekbench listings show promise for the upcoming Dimensity 9500, which is expected to power an upcoming Oppo flagship, likely the Oppo Find X9 Pro, achieving a single-core score of 3,394. In comparison, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 earned a score of 2,860 in the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, while the Oppo Find X8 Pro with the Dimensity 9400 recorded 2,648. If these early results are accurate, MediaTek may gain an advantage over Qualcomm in single-core processing power. The Dimensity 9400 was produced using TSMC’s 3nm process, the same technology that will be used for both the Dimensity 9500 and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5.
MediaTek has also confirmed successful testing of the next-generation 2nm process technology, which is expected to be included in its future processors. This new 2nm process introduces a nanosheet transistor structure that promises major enhancements in performance and energy efficiency, alongside improved production yields. Although consumers may not see 2nm-based MediaTek chips in smartphones immediately, this announcement reflects the company’s preparedness for advancements in semiconductor technology. Meanwhile, reports suggest Samsung is gearing up to launch its Exynos 2600 on its own 2nm process, likely debuting in the Galaxy S26 Pro and S26 Edge next year. This scenario sets the stage for a competitive landscape among MediaTek, Qualcomm, and Samsung in the flagship mobile chipset arena.
As the launch date approaches, attention turns to MediaTek to determine whether the Dimensity 9500 can surpass Qualcomm’s offerings in real-world performance and efficiency. With smartphone manufacturers like Oppo preparing to adopt the chip, the September 22 launch could represent a significant moment in the ongoing quest for dominance in mobile computing.