MediaTek has launched the Dimensity 9600 Pro, its latest flagship smartphone chipset, with a focus on running more advanced artificial intelligence directly on devices while improving computing performance and power efficiency.
Built using a 2-nanometre process, the Dimensity 9600 Pro introduces what MediaTek calls a Native AI Architecture, bringing the CPU, GPU, neural processing unit and image signal processor closer together. The company is positioning the chip for a new generation of smartphones where AI agents can remain active in the background, understand context and coordinate tasks across applications.
At the centre of the platform is a dual-NPU architecture comprising the NPU 1090 for demanding generative and agentic AI workloads and the Super Efficient NPU 2.0 for lower-power, always-on AI processing. MediaTek said the latter reduces power consumption by 40% compared with its previous generation, while the NPU 1090 delivers 51% higher large language model prefill performance and 55% higher token generation per watt.
The chipset supports on-device AI models with up to 30 billion parameters, potentially allowing more AI processing to take place locally instead of relying entirely on cloud infrastructure. MediaTek has also introduced its Agentic AI Engine to support AI assistants designed to perform multiple tasks and operate across apps and services.
The Dimensity 9600 Pro uses an eight-core 2+3+3 CPU configuration, led by two Arm C2-Ultra cores running at up to 4.55GHz. MediaTek claims up to 17% higher single-core performance and 15% higher multi-core performance compared with its previous-generation flagship processor, alongside a 61% reduction in multi-core power consumption.
MediaTek has also added first-wave support for LPDDR6 memory and UFS 5.0 storage. The company said UFS 5.0 can provide twice the read and write speeds of the previous generation, while LPDDR6 increases effective memory bandwidth by 33% at the same frequency.
Beyond AI processing, the chipset includes the Arm Mali-G2 Ultra NX GPU, with MediaTek claiming 27% higher peak graphics performance and 24% better power efficiency. It also supports gaming at more than 185 frames per second and enhanced hardware-accelerated ray tracing.
Imaging capabilities include AI-assisted processing, support for cameras up to 200 megapixels and 4K video at up to 240 frames per second. Connectivity features include 5G Advanced, Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.2.
The launch reflects the semiconductor industry's growing focus on shifting generative and agentic AI workloads from cloud infrastructure onto smartphones, where processing can potentially offer faster responses and greater control over user data.
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