Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 vs MediaTek Dimensity 9000: The Dimensity 9000 is a mainstream chipset in the class of the Apple A15 Bionic and Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. So for the first time, one can say MediaTek has made a competitive mobile chip. Most 2022 flagship Android smartphones will be powered by these two chipsets (Snapdragon 8 Gen 1/MediaTek Dimensity 9000).
But the question is, which of these two processors is better? In this comparison, we’re going to look into the CPU, GPU, ISP, Connectivity, and AI & ML.
Process Technology
The manufacturing process of these two chipsets is very similar. Both are fabricated on a 4nm process technology. However, MediaTek Dimensity 9000 was built by TSMC, while the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is based on Samsung’s fabrication.
Aside from that, these two SoCs are built on ARM’s new Armv9 CPU design that delivers improved performance, more power efficiency, and advanced security.
• See Also: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 vs Apple A15 Bionic: chipset comparison
CPU
These two chipsets have similar CPU architectures. Both have 1+3+4 octa-core CPU designs. The core selection is also similar across both chipsets except for the minor differences in frequency which favors the MediaTek Dimensity 9000.
| CPU Core | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Dimensity 9000 |
| Power Cores | 1x Cortex-X2 | 1x ARM Cortex-X2 |
| Speed | 3.0 GHz | 3.05 GHz |
| Efficiency | 3x Cortex-A710 4x Cortex-A510 | 3x ARM Cortex-A710 4x ARM Cortex-A510 |
| Speed | 2.5GHz 1.8GHz | 2.85GHz 1.8GHz |
However, in a real-time test on the AnTuTu benchmark, both chipsets scored above a million points. To be precise, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 scored 1,035,020 points, while the MediaTek Dimensity 9000 had 1,007,396 points. Going by the benchmark, it is impressive to see MediaTek finally coming at par with Snapdragon’s best offering.
• See Also: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 offers better CPU, GPU, Advance AI, and ISP
GPU
In terms of the GPU, both chipsets are fully packed with features and are top-notch for gaming. For example, according to Qualcomm, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 GPU is 30% faster in performance with 25% less power than its predecessor.
Which is a welcome development. More so, the Adreno GPU brings exciting gaming features such as Frame Motion Engine, Volumetric lighting, and Variable Rate Shading Pro. Making it the most advanced GPU Qualcomm has made yet.
The Arm Mali-G710 GPU on Dimensity 9000 is about 20% better in performance than its predecessor. There’s also a new raytracing SDK for developers to bring new visual improvements. The Dimensity 9000 has a powerful GPU that rivals the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 squarely.
See Also: MediaTek Dimensity 9000 5G Chipset arrives on 4nm Process with Cortex-X2 “ultra core”
ISP
When it comes to camera sensor flexibility and advancement, both chipsets are at par. The 18-bit HDR ISP from MediaTek gives support of up to 320MP sensor and can record video of up to 8k resolution.
Moreover, it can process up to nine gigapixels per second. This surpasses the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1’s ISP that can only process 3.2 gigapixels per second. Additional features of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1’s ISP are quite impressive too.
The 18-bit HDR ISP on Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is capable of shooting 8k videos in HDR with electronic image stabilization. Which is amazing. Also, it can capture 240 photos of 12MP resolution in one second and there’s a dedicated engine for 4k Bokeh video recording.
Overall, both chipsets have a top-notch ISP that is fully packed. Let’s hope tech companies would take full advantage of it.
• See Also: Apple A15 Bionic vs MediaTek Dimensity 9000: chipset comparison
Memory
MediaTek Dimensity 9000 has an edge here, it is the first chipset with LPDDR5X memory support, while Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 maintains LPDDR5. The new LPDDR5X standard for RAM is superior to LPDDR5. Moreover, the LPDDR5X is even more power-efficient than LPDDR5.
Connectivity
The first mobile chipset to come with a Bluetooth version 5.3 is the MediaTek Dimensity 9000. While the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 has Bluetooth 5.2 support which is a generation behind.
But when it comes to 5G support – the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is superior. It supports both Sub-6GHz and mmWave. Unlike the MediaTek Dimensity 9000 that supports only Sub-6GHz. Even the 5G modem X65 used by Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is faster because it is capable of downloading up to 10Gbps.
• See Also: Snapdragon 888+ vs Google Tensor: chipset comparison
Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 vs MediaTek Dimensity 9000: Conclusion
So who wins the chipset battle between these two? First I must commend MediaTek for making a true flagship chipset that can squarely compare the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 without losing. Both chipsets are at par. I’m really impressed by this tough competition because such is good for consumers to get the best.
