Qualcomm and MediaTek Unveil New Chips for Midrange and Premium Android Devices
Two of the biggest names in mobile processors—Qualcomm and MediaTek—have introduced new chipsets set to power the next wave of midrange to high-end Android smartphones later this year.
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 4: Smarter, Faster, More Capable
Qualcomm has announced its Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 platform, which will appear in upcoming devices from brands like Honor, Realme, and Vivo. Specific models haven’t been confirmed yet, but the chip brings notable performance gains across the board.
Compared to its predecessor, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 delivers:
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27% faster CPU performance
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30% improvement in graphics
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65% boost in AI processing (NPU)
That major AI uplift enables features like on-device generative AI and support for large language models (LLMs)—capabilities usually reserved for flagship processors. This means mid-tier smartphones will soon be able to run advanced AI assistants and other smart features directly on the device.
In addition to enhanced AI, the chip will also support improved photography experiences, including smarter autofocus, better white balance, and more stable video through AI-assisted electronic image stabilization.
In the past, devices like Motorola and Nothing phones used Snapdragon 7 series chips in U.S. releases, so there’s a possibility this new chip could appear in future U.S.-bound phones—though nothing official has been confirmed.
MediaTek Dimensity 9400e: Power Meets Efficiency
On the other side, MediaTek introduced the Dimensity 9400e, a slightly toned-down version of its flagship 9400 and 9400+ processors. It’s built on a 4nm process and sticks with MediaTek’s performance-first CPU layout, featuring:
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4 Cortex-X4 cores at 3.4GHz
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4 Cortex-A720 cores at 2.0GHz
This chip focuses on efficient power use during high-performance tasks like gaming, boasting enhanced frame rate stability and reduced energy consumption. It also adds support for mobile ray tracing and pushes Wi-Fi speeds up to 7.3Gbps, a step above last year’s 6.5Gbps cap.
Brands like OnePlus and Realme are planning to use the Dimensity 9400e in future models. However, those devices are expected to target Asian markets like India and China, with no immediate plans for U.S. launches. While OnePlus does sell phones in the States, it often reserves its lower-cost models for overseas buyers.
Both Qualcomm and MediaTek are stepping up their game in bringing AI and gaming-focused features to more affordable smartphones. As Android devices prepare to roll out these new chips, consumers can expect smarter performance and better efficiency—even outside of flagship-tier phones.
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