MediaTek announced the Dimensity 9600 Pro on September 15, 2026, positioning the 2nm chip as its new flagship smartphone system-on-chip. The platform combines an all-big-core CPU, dual neural processing units (NPUs) for artificial intelligence, LPDDR6 memory support and UFS 5.0 storage with performance figures that MediaTek says come from testing on demo devices in its laboratories.
What MediaTek officially disclosed
The Dimensity 9600 Pro uses a 2nm process and a 2+3+3 All Big Core CPU layout. Two C2-Ultra cores can reach up to 4.55GHz, while three C2-Pro cores run at up to 4.35GHz and another three C2-Pro cores reach up to 3.1GHz.
The chip also includes a 34.5MB cache, the G2-Ultra NX GPU and the Imagiq 1290 image signal processor. Its memory and storage interfaces support LPDDR6 and UFS 5.0, respectively.
| Platform feature | Dimensity 9600 Pro | Stated capability |
| Manufacturing process | 2nm | MediaTek’s announced process description |
| CPU | 2+3+3 All Big Core | Two C2-Ultra cores and six C2-Pro cores |
| Maximum CPU speeds | Up to 4.55GHz, 4.35GHz and 3.1GHz | Applies to the three core groups in that order |
| Cache | 34.5MB | Announced platform specification |
| AI hardware | Dual-NPU architecture | Includes NPU 1090 and a second-generation Super Efficient NPU |
| Memory | LPDDR6 | Supported memory standard |
| Storage | UFS 5.0 | Supported storage standard |
| GPU | G2-Ultra NX | Announced graphics processor |
| Image processor | Imagiq 1290 | Announced ISP |
MediaTek says the dual-NPU design supports its Agentic AI Engine and models with up to 30 billion parameters. JC Hsu, MediaTek’s corporate senior vice president and general manager of the Wireless Communications Business Unit, said the architecture is designed to combine higher performance and efficiency with new AI experiences on smartphones.
MediaTek’s performance and efficiency claims
Against the previous generation, MediaTek reports up to 17% higher single-core performance and 15% higher multi-core performance. The company also reports a 61% reduction in multi-core power consumption. These figures come from MediaTek’s demo-device laboratory testing.
The company also reports up to 27% higher peak GPU performance, 24% lower power consumption at peak GPU performance and 18% faster ray tracing. For gaming, MediaTek cites performance of up to 185 frames per second without naming a game, resolution or test protocol for that figure.
AI workloads receive their own set of claims: 40% lower power consumption for always-on AI, 51% higher large-language-model prefill performance and 55% higher token generation per watt.
Cameras and video are another focus
The Imagiq 1290 ISP supports 60fps motion capture, 4K240 native direct-output slow motion, 4K60 AI True Color Tone and 4K120 cinematic log. MediaTek also lists 17EV imaging capabilities.
These platform features will be implemented through the smartphone manufacturer’s camera hardware and software choices, so their practical form can vary between phones.
When will phones using the Dimensity 9600 Pro arrive?
MediaTek said that the first smartphones powered by the Dimensity 9600 Pro and Dimensity 9600M were expected to launch during the quarter in which the chips were announced. The announcement names no specific handset, leaving phone makers to pair the silicon with their own camera systems, displays, cooling solutions and software.
