The silicon sleuths are at it again, and this time, MediaTek's flagship is under the microscope. Just days after the tech world got its first look at the inner workings of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, renowned semiconductor teardown specialist Kurnalsalts has done the same for MediaTek's contender, the Dimensity 9500.
The newly revealed die shot offers a fascinating glimpse into MediaTek's strategy, showcasing a noticeably larger chip that prioritizes incremental but significant upgrades to its CPU cache and Neural Processing Unit (NPU), cementing its unique all-performance-core design philosophy.
A Tale of Two Chips: Dimensity 9500 vs. 9400
The analysis was made even more insightful thanks to a direct comparison. Kurnalsalts didn't just post the Dimensity 9500 in isolation; they placed it side-by-side with its predecessor, the Dimensity 9400. This allows for a clear, visual roadmap of where MediaTek is investing its precious silicon real estate.
The most immediate takeaway is the size. The Dimensity 9500 measures in at approximately 140.79 mm², a significant jump from the Dimensity 9400's ~126 mm². This also makes it larger than its primary rival, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, which sits at a similar ~126 mm². This size increase signals that MediaTek is pushing for raw performance gains that couldn't be achieved by the node shift from TSMC's N3E to the enhanced N3P alone.
You can see the detailed comparison for yourself in the post from the expert himself.
The full die shot analysis, comparing the D9500 to its predecessor, reveals the strategic expansion of key components.CPU: Doubling Down on the All-P-Core Design and Cache
MediaTek is sticking to its guns. The die shot confirms that the Dimensity 9500 maintains the company's bold all-P-core (Performance-core) CPU cluster, forgoing the efficiency cores (E-cores) that are standard in competing designs. This approach aims for maximum performance across all tasks.
To feed this powerful cluster, MediaTek has made a critical upgrade: the L3 cache has been boosted to a substantial 16 MiB, a healthy increase from the 12 MB found on the Dimensity 9400. More cache acts as a larger, faster reservoir of data for the CPU, reducing the need to fetch information from slower memory and thereby improving overall efficiency and performance, especially in sustained workloads.
The physical layout of the CPU cluster remains largely unchanged, with the fastest prime core situated in the bottom-right corner of the block.
NPU and GPU: A Clear Focus on AI and Graphics
If the CPU got an upgrade, the NPU received a full-blown expansion. The die shot clearly shows that the Neural Processing Unit has "gotten substantially larger." This is hardly a surprise, as 2025 is the year of on-device AI. A more powerful NPU is essential for handling increasingly complex AI tasks—from advanced image and video generation to sophisticated virtual assistants—directly on your phone, without needing a cloud connection.
On the graphics front, the Dimensity 9500 is equipped with the Mali C1 Ultra GPU, which, according to the analysis, boasts "far more cores/CUs than the Adreno 840" in the Snapdragon rival. This points to a significant push for superior gaming and high-resolution rendering performance, setting the stage for a fierce GPU battle in this generation of flagship chips.
A More Integrated 5G Modem and Future Glimpses
To make room for these expanded components, MediaTek engineers had to get creative. The report notes that the 5G modem has been further shrunk, freeing up die area for an enhanced Image Signal Processor (ISP) and video engine. This suggests improvements in camera processing capabilities and video recording features, which will be crucial for the flagship smartphones, like the anticipated Vivo X300, that will house this chip.
For a deeper look at the devices powered by this new silicon, you can check out this comprehensive report.
MediaTek's Next-Gen Titan: Vivo X300 and More to Feature Dimensity 9500
Overall, the Dimensity 9500 appears to be a strategic, evolutionary step for MediaTek. It refines a proven design rather than overhauling it. The message is clear: more cache, more AI power, and more graphics cores. The true architectural leap is likely being saved for next year's Dimensity 9600, which has already taped out and will be built on TSMC's cutting-edge 2nm N2 node, promising another significant shift in the mobile landscape. For now, the Dimensity 9500 is shaping up to be a formidable and highly specialized flagship SoC.
MediaTek Dimensity 9500 Dieshot
— Kurnal (@Kurnalsalts) September 30, 2025
Diesize 10.88x12.92=140.79mm2
Photo#1 D9500 Dieshot
Photo#2 8Elite Gen5 VS D9500
Photo#3 D9500 VS D9400 VS D9300 pic.twitter.com/K0SGypOdR6
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