Archive · 15 Sep 2026
MediaTek Launches New Chips Built on TSMC Advanced Processes
MediaTek is a company that makes chips for smartphones.
It announced two new chips for expensive, high-end phones.
One chip uses a very advanced 2-nanometre manufacturing process from TSMC.
The other uses a 3-nanometre process.
The chips can help phones run more artificial-intelligence features without sending every task to the internet.
MediaTek says one chip processes user prompts 51% better than its previous version.
The company hopes these products will help it compete more strongly with Qualcomm.
It is also building an AI business for data centers and custom chips.
MediaTek unveiled the Dimensity 9600 Pro, its first mobile processor made with TSMC’s 2-nanometre process.
The company also introduced the Dimensity 9600M, built with TSMC’s 3-nanometre technology for flagship smartphones.
MediaTek said the 9600 Pro’s neural processing unit improves prompt processing by 51% over the previous generation.
The chips are designed to run more complex generative-AI features directly on smartphones, with launches planned soon.
MediaTek is targeting Qualcomm in premium phones while expanding into data-center and custom AI chips.
- Who
- MediaTek, with technology from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, announced the chips.
- What
- The company launched the Dimensity 9600 Pro and Dimensity 9600M smartphone processors.
- When
- The announcement was made on Tuesday; the first phones using the chips are expected to launch soon.
- Where
- The announcement was made in Taipei, Taiwan.
- Why
- MediaTek is seeking a larger share of premium smartphones and is responding to growing demand for on-device AI features.
MediaTek’s Growth Case
Consumer Cost Concerns
Premium smartphone strategy
MediaTek’s Growth Case
MediaTek said rising phone prices and new AI features create room to increase its share of the flagship segment.
Consumer Cost Concerns
Higher component costs linked to AI demand may make premium smartphones more expensive for consumers.
On-device AI benefits
MediaTek’s Growth Case
MediaTek says the new neural processing unit can handle more complex generative-AI applications directly on the phone and improves prompt processing by 51%.
Consumer Cost Concerns
The article does not provide independent performance testing or details explaining how the improvement was measured.
- New premium chip
- Dimensity 9600 Pro
- Manufacturing process
- TSMC’s 2-nanometre process for the 9600 Pro
- Additional chip
- Dimensity 9600M, made using a 3-nanometre process
- AI performance claim
- The 9600 Pro’s neural processing unit provides a 51% improvement in processing prompts before model responses begin
- Main competitor
- Qualcomm
- Previous customers
- Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo
- AI accelerator production
- MediaTek expects its first AI accelerator for a major U.S. cloud service provider to enter mass production in the fourth quarter
- Convertible bond sale
- MediaTek raised $3.9 billion; Nvidia invested $3.5 billion