Everybody's binning: MediaTek and Qualcomm both quietly cut GPU cores for cheaper flagships

A Geekbench listing for a device identified as the vivo V2573A, believed to be the iQOO Neo 11 Extreme Edition (至尊版), shows an 11-core Arm Mali-G1-Ultra MC11 GPU instead of the 12-core MC12 found in the standard Dimensity 9500. The listing scored 3,445 in single-core and 10,517 in multi-core testing on Geekbench 6.7.1 while running Android 16. The CPU configuration otherwise matches that of the standard chip.

This isn't an isolated case. MediaTek's own Dimensity 9500s, which is a rebranded Dimensity 9400+, ships with two different GPU configurations depending on the device. The Redmi Turbo 5 Max uses the full 12-core Mali Immortalis-G925 MC12, while the Poco X8 Pro Max reportedly uses the cut-down 11-core MC11, despite both phones carrying the same 9500s branding. This means MediaTek is binning GPUs both across chip tiers and within a single chip tier, depending on the OEM and device in which the silicon is used.

Qualcomm has done something similar, recently releasing the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 V Series, a binned variant that trims the Adreno GPU while leaving the CPU and NPU untouched.

In all three cases, the CPU, NPU, and modem remain intact while the GPU takes the hit. This approach lets chipmakers and OEMs retain flagship-tier marketing figures for CPU and AI performance while reducing costs through GPU binning alone, rather than developing separate silicon for each price tier. With DRAM and component costs continuing to climb through 2026, GPU binning looks likely to become a standard cost-cutting tool for flagship SKUs rather than an exception.

Specifications from Geekbench listings and unofficial device breakdowns may not reflect final retail configurations.