MediaTek’s next flagship chip is drawing major attention after a new leak suggested that the Dimensity 9600 Pro could push clock speeds close to 5GHz. The report also points to a new “all big core” design, which could make the chip one of the most aggressive mobile processors MediaTek has ever developed.
The latest details come from well-known tipster Digital Chat Station on Weibo, who shared information about the CPU layout, performance goals, and platform support. If accurate, the Dimensity 9600 Pro would be built to compete directly with Qualcomm’s upcoming flagship silicon in the premium smartphone segment.
A more extreme CPU layout
The leak describes a 2+3+3 CPU configuration, branded as a dual-core “all-big-core” approach. In practical terms, that means MediaTek may be moving away from traditional power-efficient cores and focusing almost entirely on high-performance cores.
The reported setup includes two “Canyon” performance cores, three “Gelas-b” cores, and three standard “Gelas” cores. That kind of structure suggests MediaTek is aiming for stronger sustained performance in demanding workloads rather than balancing the chip around efficiency-first design choices.
A near-5GHz clock speed on the main cores would also place the Dimensity 9600 Pro in unusual territory for a mobile chip. Such a number is more commonly associated with desktop processors, which is why the leak has generated so much interest among smartphone enthusiasts.
Built for heavy gaming and AI tasks
The reported architecture points to a clear target: top-tier performance in gaming, multitasking, and AI-powered workloads. By concentrating on big cores, MediaTek appears to be preparing the chip for situations where raw computing power matters more than low-intensity efficiency.
The chipset is also said to support SME 2, or Scalable Matrix Extension 2, a feature designed to speed up AI and machine learning processing. That could help the Dimensity 9600 Pro handle on-device intelligence tasks more effectively, especially in future flagship phones that depend more heavily on local processing.
New graphics hardware and next-gen memory support
On the graphics side, the Dimensity 9600 Pro is expected to use Arm’s newer Magni GPU. While the leak does not provide benchmark numbers, the new GPU is said to bring noticeable gains in visual rendering, gaming performance, and power efficiency.
MediaTek is also reportedly preparing the chip for newer memory and storage standards. The leak mentions support for LPDDR6 RAM and UFS 5.0 storage, which would help the platform deliver faster data movement and better responsiveness across demanding applications.
Those upgrades matter because flagship phones increasingly rely on memory and storage speed to support large games, advanced camera processing, and AI features. A chip that pairs high CPU clocks with faster memory could gain an edge in real-world use.
TSMC 2nm process could boost efficiency
Another key detail is the manufacturing process. According to the leak, the Dimensity 9600 Pro will be built on TSMC’s N2P 2nm process.
The reported benefits are substantial. Performance could rise by around 10 to 15 percent, while power efficiency may improve by 25 to 30 percent. If those figures hold true, MediaTek could gain a stronger balance between speed and battery life than users typically expect from a heavily performance-focused chip.
That balance will be critical, especially for a design that appears to prioritize high-performance cores and higher clock speeds. Without better efficiency, such a configuration could create thermal and battery challenges in real smartphones.
Direct pressure on Snapdragon
The leak also suggests the Dimensity 9600 Pro will go head-to-head with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro. Both chips are said to reach roughly the 5GHz mark, although the Snapdragon’s performance improvement is reportedly below 20 percent.
That comparison matters because it places MediaTek in a more confident position within the flagship race. If the Dimensity 9600 Pro can deliver similar speed while improving efficiency and AI handling, it could narrow the gap with Qualcomm in premium devices.
Two versions of Dimensity 9600
The Dimensity 9600 series may not arrive in a single configuration. The Pro version is expected to be the most advanced model, while the standard variant may use a 3nm process and target a broader range of flagship smartphones.
Earlier reports also point to first-wave devices from Oppo and Vivo as possible launch partners for the new chipset family. If those leaks hold up, the Dimensity 9600 Pro could become a central part of MediaTek’s push to redefine its position in the high-end mobile market.
