MediaTek has made a resurgence in the budget to mid-range smartphone market in recent years, providing power to the Motorola Edge 40 and the Realme 11 Pro Plus, among others. In contrast to Qualcomm, which has implemented a standardised nomenclature to aid users in differentiating its products, MediaTek’s processor naming scheme is intricate and devoid of precise significance.
Consequently, it is necessary to conduct numerous Google queries in order to discern the distinctions between two MediaTek processors, such as the Dimensity 8000 and the Dimensity 8050—where the latter is in fact superior despite its name. The following is comprehensive information regarding MediaTek’s nomenclature scheme.
The Smartphone Processors of MediaTek
Prior to proceeding with the explanation, it is critical to mention that the names of MediaTek’s processors lack a consistent pattern. This article consequently classifies these processors into the following three categories:
Tier Flagship
While MediaTek’s resurgence is primarily attributed to its affordable processors, the company has also ventured into the premium market, providing Qualcomm with much-needed competition. In addition, the competitive pricing of these processors makes them a preferred option for flagship-killer smartphones. The following are the premier processors from MediaTek, in order of performance:
The following are the levels of dimensibility: 8000, 8100, 8200, 8200 Ultra Dimensity, 8200 Dimensity, 8200 Ultra Dimensity, 9000 Dimensity, 9200+ Dimensity
It is evident that MediaTek’s naming scheme is inconsistent, as evidenced by the aforementioned processor names; the company employs the suffix “+” and “Ultra” interchangeably to denote higher series within the same range.
Nevertheless, it is puzzling why specific processors, such as the Dimensity 8050 (further information forthcoming), are classified as midrange while others are situated in the prestige segment. The solution can be found within the manufacturing procedure. In contrast to the rest of its processor lineup, MediaTek’s premier processors are manufactured using TSMC’s 5nm process, which alone contributes to a performance increase of 20% or more.
Tier Midrange
In contrast to the general practice of companies rebranding to enhance product differentiation, MediaTek has opted to align the nomenclature of its mid-range processors with that of its premier lineup.
Let us examine the Dimensity 8050, which was formerly designated as the Dimensity 1300. Users may be misled by the numerical designation into believing that it is superior to the Dimensity 8000; however, this is not the case. With an Antutu score of 716,896, the 8050 is classified as an upper mid-range processor. In contrast, the 8000 is regarded as a flagship processor, possessing an Antutu score of 835,209. Additional midrange processors in this lineup consist of:
Dimensity 1000 and Dimensity 1000+, its variant
With the sole exception of the Dimensity 1000, which utilises TSMC’s 7nm process node, every semiconductor in this tier is manufactured utilising the 6nm node process. This renders them a prime contender for smartphones priced below $500, such as the OnePlus Nord Nord 2.
Budget Tier Three
The MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Ultra in image
MediaTek has consistently excelled in the affordable market segment by delivering exceptional performance at a competitive price. Included in MediaTek’s affordable series are:
Eighthously Dimensity 7200, 6020 Dimensity 7200 Ultra, 900 Dimensity 920, 7020 Dimensity 7030 Dimensity 7050
To provide context, the processor scheme utilised by this lineup is 2+6, consisting of two performance cores and six efficiency cores. Their current configuration renders them highly suitable for routine duties and regular smartphone usage.
However, in light of the recent rebranding, some companies, including Xiaomi, have capitalised on the ambiguity by equipping their latest smartphones with obsolete processors. The forthcoming Redmi Note 13, for instance, will utilise the Dimensity 6080 processor, which is a rebranded iteration of the Dimensity 810 that was introduced a decade ago.
Prior generation processors
Although MediaTek has transitioned its attention to its Dimensity line, the company still provides 4G processors that are utilised in extremely low-priced smartphones such as the Samsung Galaxy A14. These processors exhibit suboptimal performance when it comes to computationally intensive activities, such as gaming. Furthermore, they deviate from the conventional Dimensity nomenclature by incorporating designations such as the Helio G99, G88, and G70.