MediaTek, traditionally known for its affordable Android phones, has been slowly yet steadily carving a niche in the high-end, premium device market. Its recent launch of the Dimensity 9200 chip is a testament to this strategic shift.
The Dimensity 9200, like all smartphone chips, is a System on a Chip (SoC), signifying that it encapsulates wireless and cellular connectivity, graphics, and system performance functionalities, all within a compact unit.
Similar to chips from competitors like Apple Silicon or Qualcomm’s Snapdragon, this consolidated approach enables more compact device designs, extended battery life, and enhanced energy efficiency without compromising on speed.
MediaTek is introducing this mobile chip as the first-ever to leverage an Armv9 Gen 2 architecture, necessitating new cores. A powerful Cortex-X3 core, referred to as the “big” core, handles demanding tasks, assisted by three Cortex-A715 performance cores.
Moreover, the 9200 incorporates four Cortex-A510 “low-power” cores to optimize battery life. This collaboration results in a modest 10% to 12% performance boost over the previous Dimensity 9000 but reportedly achieves a significant 25% reduction in power consumption.
In a recent discussion with MediaTek’s GM/VP of Corporate Marketing, Finbarr Moynihan, we delved into the features of the Dimensity 9200.
Enhanced Graphics Performance
What sets the Dimensity 9200 apart is its upgraded graphics performance. The chip is one of the first in the industry to leverage Arm’s new Immortalis-G715 GPU, which provides hardware ray tracing capability, a highly sought-after feature in the PC and laptop gaming industry. MediaTek claims that the Dimensity 9200’s implementation is 32% faster than its CPU, while consuming an impressive 41% less power.
Given MediaTek’s proven expertise in Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity, it’s no surprise that the Dimensity 9200 enhances these areas. Unlike its predecessors, the Dimensity 9200 offers both millimeter wave 5G and sub-6GHz connectivity, which will cater to consumers seeking faster cellular data across the globe.
The Dimensity 9200 also supports Wi-Fi 7. While Wi-Fi 6 and 6E are still being implemented in routers, smart home devices, and smartphones, MediaTek deserves praise for future-proofing the Dimensity 9200 with Wi-Fi 7 capability, promising potentially transformative improvements in latency and wireless speed.
Another notable feature of the Dimensity 9200 is that it’s the first chip whose Image 890 signal processor fully supports RGBW camera sensors. These sensors deliver brighter and more detailed images than the standard RGB, and they can blur background images in real-time video. This capability was one of the highlights of the announcement event.
Analyst Remarks
During its recent analyst event in Sonoma, Calif., where it unveiled the Dimensity 9200, MediaTek emphasized that it is “more than mobile.” This statement reflects the fact that the smartphone market has notably softened over the last few years, and MediaTek has a substantial footprint in other device categories such as routers, smart TVs, and IoT devices.
MediaTek does not typically grab headlines in the U.S. smartphone market, which is dominated by Apple and Qualcomm with their Silicon and Snapdragon solutions, respectively. However, as MediaTek expands its footprint in mid- and low-end handsets, this may change.
Moreover, if the U.S. economy does enter a recession in 2023 as predicted, the high-end segment of the market could face significant pressure. MediaTek’s strategy of pushing advanced technology into the more affordable mid-range market could yield significant returns as consumers may find it difficult to spend $1,500 or more on top-end Apple iPhone or Samsung Galaxy models.
Leadership in Smartphone Chip Shipments
There are clear indications that MediaTek’s strategy is paying off. The company has topped global smartphone chip shipments for two consecutive years. Industry reports suggest that MediaTek accounts for 37% of global smartphone chips, outpacing Qualcomm’s 28%.
Mediatek’s chips may not feature in the most glamorous devices, but they offer a compelling blend of performance, innovation, and affordability that resonates with a growing majority of “mainstream” consumers.
MediaTek isn’t — and shouldn’t — abandon the mobile phone domain. The “more than mobile” slogan is a clever marketing move, implying that the company’s products are more pervasive than the average consumer might realize. Yet, it also conveys that the company is eyeing future markets, such as VR, automotive, Wi-Fi 7, and 5G.
While Apple and Qualcomm typically steal the spotlight with their new chip launches, MediaTek’s Dimensity 9200 demonstrates that it can compete with industry titans. Even if it doesn’t make headlines, MediaTek seems to be thriving — and that’s exactly how the company’s leadership wants it.
