MediaTek Dimensity 9500 SoC with Arm C1-Series CPU Announced

After much anticipation, leaks, rumours and speculations, MediaTek has finally announced its 2025 flagship chipset, the Dimensity 9500. This new mobile processor features a powerful CPU, a new GPU and impressive NPU capabilities. Here is a quick rundown of the SoC's core specifications.

MediaTek Dimensity 9500 features Arm's C1-Series CPU

The newly launched Dimensity 9500 packs a single C1-Ultra core clocked at 4.21 GHz, 3x C1-Premium cores clocked at 3.5 GHz and 4x C1-Pro cores clocked at 2.7 GHz. It is still an octa-core setup, built on TSMC's latest (N3P) process.

This new Arm C1 series architecture brings the Dimensity 9500 finally to Qualcomm's and Apple's level. Arm says that the new C1-Ultra core brings 10% IPC uplift in single-threaded performance over the Cortex-X925.

Additionally, the official Geekbench Dimensity 9500 benchmarks reveals a 4,007 score in the single-core test and 11,217 in the multi-core test. The processor has managed to easily surpass the Dimensity 9400 and also the recently launched Apple A19 Pro, especially in multi-core performance.

It even reaches close to the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 in single core performance. MediaTek says that the Dimensity 9500 is up to 55% more power-efficient than last year’s Dimensity 9400.  

The SoC also brings the Arm Mali-G1 Ultra GPU

MediaTek has opted for the Arm Mali G1 Ultra GPU for the Dimensity 9500. It now brings up to two times more raytracing graphics performance while reducing the power usage. It is now said to offer 33% peak graphics performance while being 42% more power efficient.

Moreover, the GPU is said to bring up to 119% faster raytracing performance with 120 FPS gameplay support. It also offers Vulkan raytracing pipeline for realistic graphics and a dynamic cache architecture. Apart from this, the Mali G1 Ultra GPU also comes with support for Unreal Engine 5.5, along with MegaLights/Nanite features.

MediaTek Dimensity 9500 now has NPU 990

The AI processing unit on the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 has now been equipped with MediaTek's latest NPU 990. It claims that the new 9th-generation NPU is paired with the brand's 2nd-generation Gen-AI Engine to bring twice the performance compared to the Dimensity 9400. Developers will be able to leverage the Dimensity Agentic AI Engine or DAE to deliver new AI experiences and features.

Additionally, the new NPU 990 is capable of generating high-quality on-device AI videos. It is said to be the industry's first CIM-based NPU for always-on AI applications. Apart from that, it also brings 2x token generation speed and 4K resolution AI image generation, all while reducing the peak power usage by 56%.

MediaTek Dimensity 9500 ISP and Connectivity

The Dimesity 9500 can now capture 4K @ 60 FPS Cinematic portrait videos along with 30 FPS full-speed object focus tracking. It now can also record 4K 120FPS videos in HEVC format. Smartphones using the chipset will be able to capture 200 MP still images. It also brings the MiraVision SmartScreer for vivid and accurate colour reproduction.

Connectivity-wise, the SoC brings Wi-Fi 7 AI and Bluetooth 6.0 AI support. The MediaTek 5G modem can now deliver peak download speeds of up to 7.3Gbps.

MediaTek Dimensity 9500 Key Highlights

That said, with the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 out of the way, all eyes are now on the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor which is scheduled to go official on September 23, 2025. It is without a doubt that MediaTek is going to give its Samsung and Snapdragon counterparts a tough, head-to-head battle.

Moreover, with smartphones likes the Vivo X300 series and the Oppo Find X9 lineup adopting the new Dimensity 9500 processor, it will no doubt power the upcoming Android flagship smartphones in 2025 and beyond. So, keep a close watch at Beebom Gadgets as we will be sure to test these new devices out and report on the Dimensity 9500's prowess.