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Dimensity 9500: MediaTek opts for N3P process over 2nm for 2025 flagship chip

MediaTek Dimensity 9500 to adopt TSMC N3P process, feature new CPU architecture (Image source: MediaTek)
MediaTek Dimensity 9500 to adopt TSMC N3P process, feature new CPU architecture (Image source: MediaTek)
MediaTek's upcoming Dimensity 9500 will feature TSMC's N3P process and a new 2+6 core architecture with Cortex-X930 cores capable of exceeding 4 GHz. When it launches in October 2025, the processor aims to compete with Samsung's Exynos 2600.

The upcoming MediaTek Dimensity 9500 processor is set to utilize TSMC's N3P process node, shifting away from earlier speculation about a 2nm manufacturing process. This move appears to be driven by high costs and limited production capacity.

MediaTek’s Dimensity 9500 also marks a significant architectural shift, moving to a 2+6 core layout instead of its predecessors' 4+4 or 4+3+1 arrangement. The new design packs two Cortex-X930 “super cores” alongside six Cortex-A730 performance cores, with clock speeds anticipated to break the 4 GHz barrier. The processor is rumored to support the SME (Scalable Matrix Extension) instruction set.

By comparison, the Dimensity 9400 runs on one 3.62 GHz Cortex-X925 super core, three 3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 large cores, and four 2.4 GHz Cortex-A720 large cores. According to industry insider Digital Chat Station, the X930 cores in the Dimensity 9500 should deliver noticeably stronger single-core performance.

MediaTek is aiming for an October 2025 launch window, setting the stage for a potential rivalry with Samsung’s Exynos 2600, which will reportedly be built using Samsung Foundry’s 2nm technology. Both chips might end up powering various flagship devices, with rumors suggesting that the Exynos 2600 could drive Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7, and S26 series.

While TSMC’s N3P process may not match the power efficiency of 2nm, it’s still an improvement over the N3E process used in the current Dimensity 9400. Opting for N3P also reflects a broader industry trend: several major tech companies are apparently rethinking their immediate move to TSMC’s 2nm node, citing high costs and limited production capacity.

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2025 01 > Dimensity 9500: MediaTek opts for N3P process over 2nm for 2025 flagship chip
Nathan Ali, 2025-01- 6 (Update: 2025-02- 6)