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MediaTek's next sub-flagship chip has surfaced in fresh leaks, and the details raise eyebrows. Known in rumors as the Dimensity 9500e but referred to by a tipster as the Dimensity 9400++, the processor could borrow heavily from this year's flagship 9400 family while targeting a lower price tier.
What the leak actually reveals
Tipster Digital Chat Station posted on Weibo that the prototype runs at up to 3.73 GHz and uses a surprisingly flagship-grade CPU layout: 1x Cortex-X925, 3x Cortex-X4, plus 4x Cortex-A720 cores. Graphics are handled by a G925 MP12 GPU clocked at 1612 MHz. The chip is reportedly manufactured on TSMC's 3 nm N3E node.
Those specs closely mirror the Dimensity 9400 and 9400 Plus, with the leak noting that CPU, GPU, and cache remain largely unchanged from the flagship part. If accurate, MediaTek would be repurposing top-tier silicon into a sub-flagship SKU — a move that could shake up value-oriented flagship alternatives.
Why the name is confusing — 9500e or 9400++?
Earlier reports floated the name Dimensity 9500e, but Digital Chat Station labeled the chip Dimensity 9400++. The discrepancy likely reflects MediaTek's internal testing names or a strategy to position the chip as a tuned 9400 derivative rather than an entirely new series. Either way, the close technical overlap explains the alternate naming.
What this means for phone makers and buyers
The leak also claims the first phones with this silicon will emphasize better battery life, premium displays, improved build quality, and stronger overall hardware. Imagine a mid-priced handset that feels and performs like a flagship but costs less — that seems to be the target.
From a market perspective, reusing flagship-grade compute and GPU blocks in a sub-flagship offering helps brands deliver headline performance without shouldering every premium component cost. For consumers, it could mean faster real-world performance in devices that prioritize battery and screen quality over the absolute cutting edge.
Timing and the competitive landscape
The Dimensity 9400++ or 9500e is expected to debut in Q1 2026, according to the tip. That timetable places MediaTek well into next year as it competes with Qualcomm, which is reportedly preparing Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 for announcement later this year. Expect a busy cycle of launches and comparisons once both vendors finalize silicon and partner devices.
Whether MediaTek keeps clock speeds, cache sizes, and the G925 MP12 GPU identical to the 9400 line or tweaks them for power efficiency will determine real-world differences. For now, the leak paints a picture of a chip that blurs the line between flagship and value flagship.
Should you care?
If you follow mobile performance or are shopping for a high-value phone in 2026, this leak is worth watching. A chipset that delivers 9400-caliber performance in devices with larger batteries and nicer screens could be a compelling choice for many buyers. Stay tuned for official details as MediaTek and its partners reveal names, benchmarks, and final product launches.
Source: gizmochina
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