MediaTek quietly rebrands its dimensity processor lineup for 2023
In 2023, MediaTek made a subtle yet significant move by silently rebranding its Dimensity processor lineup, leaving consumers in anticipation and curiosity about what these revamped chipsets have to offer.
The Android smartphone processor arena has long been a battleground primarily dominated by two giants: Qualcomm and MediaTek. Qualcomm boasts its Snapdragon chipsets, while MediaTek powers Android smartphones with its 5G-enabled Dimensity chipsets, renowned for their reliability over the past three years thanks to their production by TSMC's cutting-edge technology.
MediaTek quietly rebrands its dimensity processor lineup for 2023
However, in 2023, MediaTek quietly embarked on a rebranding journey for its Dimensity SoC lineup, sowing confusion about which MediaTek chipset stands superior and which ones might be missteps. In this article, we aim to demystify MediaTek's new nomenclature, categorizing Dimensity processors into three tiers—Tier A, Tier B, and Tier C—ranging from the best to the least-ranked processors.
Starting with Tier C, all newly rebranded Dimensity 6000 and 7000 series processors find their place here. These processors share a common trait—an octa-core CPU configuration with only 2 Performance Cores and 6 Efficiency Cores. This configuration, with fewer performance cores, limits their capacity to run games at higher graphical settings and may lead to slower device performance.
Typically, Tier C processors achieve benchmark scores between 380k to 550k in Antutu, with a notable exception being the Dimensity 7200, reaching nearly 740k. This outlier may be attributed to the processor's manufacturing on TSMC's advanced 4nm process and featuring the newer ARM Cortex A715 performance cores, delivering enhanced performance at the same power efficiency level as A78 and A76 cores.
Notably, the Dimensity 6080, formerly known as the Dimensity 810, appears in this tier. It's worth highlighting that this processor is found in both the recently-announced Redmi Note 13 and the Redmi Note 11 (known globally as the Poco M4 Pro 5G), which debuted almost two years ago in 2021 in the Chinese market. This suggests that a 2023 budget Android smartphone could be powered by a processor that's nearly two years old while commanding a price tag as if it were brand new.
In summary, Tier C processors generally offer modest performance and a less favorable price-to-performance ratio, except for the Dimensity 7200. For better performance, consider smartphones equipped with Tier B or Tier A processors.
Tier B processors strike a balance between speed and efficiency, comfortably handling everyday tasks and offering gaming capabilities at medium graphical settings. This tier houses four MediaTek Dimensity processors, listed below in ascending order of performance:
These Tier B processors adopt an octa-core SoC structure, featuring 4 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores. This balanced configuration ensures smooth performance for demanding tasks while optimizing power efficiency for less demanding activities. Tier B processors have received acclaim for their ability to blend performance with affordability, frequently finding their place in budget flagship smartphones.
Lastly, Tier A encompasses MediaTek's cream of the crop processors within the Dimensity lineup. These processors not only deliver outstanding performance but also excel in power efficiency. Tier A comprises five Dimensity processors:
Despite sharing the same processor structure (4+4) as Tier B counterparts, Tier A processors enjoy a significant advantage. They are manufactured using TSMC's advanced 5nm and 4nm process nodes, resulting in performance gains of up to 20% while maintaining low power consumption to prevent overheating. Additionally, Tier A processors feature highly capable GPUs, enabling users to indulge in high or ultra-high graphical settings—an experience unattainable with Tier B and C processors.
Tier A processors find their homes in a range of devices, from budget-friendly options like the Redmi K50i and Poco X4 GT to flagship contenders such as the Vivo X90, Redmi K60 Ultra, and the upcoming Xiaomi 13T Pro.
In conclusion, opting for a smartphone equipped with a Tier A MediaTek Dimensity processor ensures top-notch long-term performance without significant slowdowns.
