MediaTek Rumored to Launch Dimensity 9400+ as It Looks to Compete With Snapdragon 8 Elite

MediaTek is reportedly gearing up to unveil an upgraded version of its flagship Dimensity 9400 chipset. The new SoC, rumored to be called the Dimensity 9400+, would be the third consecutive iteration in which MediaTek introduces a slightly enhanced version of its top-tier silicon. This move appears to be aimed at maintaining competitive momentum against Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite.

According to noted tipster Digital Chat Station on Weibo, the Dimensity 9400+ will power a range of flagship devices from Chinese manufacturers, including three models from OPPO slated for release in early 2025. These devices will feature display sizes of 6.3 inches, 6.6 inches, and 6.8 inches, showcasing the chipset’s potential widespread adoption in premium handsets.

What to Expect From the Dimensity 9400+

While detailed specifications haven’t been revealed, the Dimensity 9400+ is expected to follow the blueprint of its predecessors, the Dimensity 9300 and 9300+, which offered slight boosts in CPU and GPU clock speeds. The Dimensity 9400 currently maxes out at 3.63GHz on its Cortex-X925 performance core, and the "+" version could push this to approximately 3.70GHz. However, it would still fall short of the Snapdragon 8 Elite, which can reach frequencies of up to 4.57GHz under optimal cooling conditions.

The upgraded chipset might also feature enhancements to its APU (AI Processing Unit) for better AI capabilities and a modest GPU frequency bump to handle graphically intensive tasks. These incremental updates could narrow the performance gap between MediaTek and Qualcomm’s flagship silicon, particularly in synthetic benchmarks and real-world applications.

Strategic Timing

The Dimensity 9400+ is reportedly timed to align with the launch of several Chinese flagship devices, ensuring MediaTek’s foothold in the premium segment. However, with Qualcomm already setting new performance benchmarks, MediaTek will need to deliver more than just minor frequency boosts to make a significant impact.

While this news is exciting for MediaTek enthusiasts, the details remain speculative. As always, it’s wise to take these rumors with a grain of salt until official announcements are made.

What are your thoughts on MediaTek's strategy to launch iterative upgrades? Will the Dimensity 9400+ be enough to take on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite? Let us know in the comments below!