Emir BardakçıMediatek has just turned the high-end processor industry upside down by launching its new Dimensity 9500s during its product launch event for the year 2026. The new processor is manufactured on TSMC’s second-generation process node, which is only 3nm and features an astonishing 29 billion transistors.
I’ve actually been following this “all-large core” transition for a while, and with the Dimensity 9500s, MediaTek is pushing this forward. By abandoning efficiency cores altogether and going with a Cortex-X925 super core and an enormous 19MB CPU cache, MediaTek is clearly gunning to take down the performance leader that is Snapdragon 8 Elite.
TL;DR
- Architecture: Features a 1+3+4 “all large core” architecture in its flagship series, utilizing TSMC’s
- Gaming: Comes with Immortalis-G925 GPU and boasts a 119% improvement in ray tracing.
- AI Capability: The device’s onboard AI is capable of 4K image-to-video conversion and call summary without needing an internet connection.
- First Device: The REDMI Turbo 5 Max will be the first smartphone that supports this processor.
Will the Dimensity 9500s Outperform the Snapdragon 8 Elite?
The numbers are simply mind-boggling. The Dimensity 9500s has an enhanced scheduling engine, which optimizes app launch times by 44%. In lab tests, the Redmi Turbo 5 Max, powered by this chipset, has recorded an AnTuTu benchmark result of 3,612,095, which is simply staggering.
There is a lot of change happening in the way these chips manage memory. Using super memory compression technology, the chip manages its performance so that the most demanding AAA games run at a constant speed of 120FPS with ray tracing on.
Next-Generation Connectivity and 5G Logic
However, connectivity is not an “afterthought” in these phones. The 5G R17 modem in these phones supports four-carrier aggregation, increasing downlink speed to 7Gbps. In terms of local network speed, these chips are completely compliant with Wi-Fi 7 with a Among the coolest things that were mentioned during this conference is the “Bluetooth direct connection.” This feature enables phone-to-phone communications up to a range of 5 kilometers in areas where there is no cellular network, such as during hiking or in an emergency.
The current REDMI Turbo 5 Max is exclusively available SOON in China for approximately $345 (2,500 CNY). It will be launched in the Global market as POCO X8 Pro Max.
Professional Imaging and 8K Video
For mobile photographers, the Dimensity 9500s brings a flagship-grade semantic segmentation engine. It also supports real-time 8K HDR Dolby Vision recording. The autofocus engine has also been revamped. The camera now features fast capture and AI-assisted object tracking so that your subject always remains in focus even in chaotic lighting.
What’s Next for MediaTek?
We can expect the first generation of Dimensity 9500s smartphones to go on sale by late January 2026. Although REDMI Turbo 5 Max is a trailblazer, other companies such as Vivo and Oppo may also join suit. The true test of this chip will be its performance with long-running thermal loads. The chip’s 3nm process is said to maintain a “continuously cool” system, but we’ll have to put this claim to the test with our full review.
