MediaTek has unveiled its Dimensity 9600 Pro flagship smartphone processor, designed to bring more AI capabilities directly onto mobile devices while improving performance and power efficiency.

The new chipset is built using TSMC’s 2-nanometre manufacturing process and supports Google’s Gemini Nano, which allows compatible AI applications to run on a smartphone instead of relying entirely on cloud-based processing. 

The launch comes as there is a growing push among smartphone chipmakers to make AI in devices more practical, with features that respond faster, while potentially reducing the need to send personal information to remote servers.

The technology could also eventually support smarter photo editing, more responsive digital assistants and other AI-powered features that continue working when an internet connection is limited, depending on how manufacturers use the capabilities.

A central feature of the Dimensity 9600 Pro is its dual neural processing unit (NPU) architecture, which separates different AI workloads to improve efficiency.

MediaTek says its second-generation Super Efficient NPU reduces power consumption by 40% for always-on AI tasks compared with the previous generation. A more powerful NPU 1090 is designed to handle demanding generative AI applications, including LLMs.

The company also reports a 51% improvement in LLM pre-fill performance and a 55% increase in token generation per watt. Though this needs independent testing in commercial smartphones. 

Gemini Nano support gives developers another option for building AI-powered applications that operate locally on compatible hardware. MediaTek’s Neural Pilot development platform is intended to help software makers create these experiences, while its AI Core and AI Seal technologies are designed to support secure execution and data isolation.

The new processor also targets conventional smartphone performance, gaming, photography and connectivity.

MediaTek claims the Dimensity 9600 Pro delivers up to 17% higher single-core CPU performance and 15% higher multi-core performance than its predecessor, alongside a reported 61% reduction in multi-core power consumption.

Its imaging capabilities include support for high-frame-rate video capture, while the graphics architecture allows the GPU and NPU to work together on AI-assisted processing.

The company also highlights improvements to wireless connectivity and navigation efficiency, although actual results will depend on the phone design, network conditions and software implementation. 

MediaTek has also introduced a standard Dimensity 9600 variant aimed at a wider range of premium handsets.

The company says smartphones powered by the new processors are expected to arrive soon, with manufacturers including Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo among the brands associated with its flagship chipset family. Australian release dates, local models and pricing will depend on individual manufacturers.