MediaTek denies report that its next chip is running into thermal issues

MediaTek Processor Lifestyle Alt
(Image credit: MediaTek)

Update (Sep 13, 12:20 pm ET): MediaTek says the claims are false about its unannounced chip.

What you need to know

  • The next Dimensity 9300 is tipped to feature an unconventional octa-core design.
  • Tipster Evan Blass reveals that it will only have fast and high-performance cores, which may lead to overheating.
  • MediaTek has denied the rumors regarding its yet-to-be-announced chipset running into problems.

Original story:

MediaTek is likely gearing up to launch its next flagship chipset, which is said to be a top-tier one to take on Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 series of chipsets. However, the chipset appears to be running into issues before the launch, according to a new rumor.

The tip comes from leaker Evan Blass (via Android Headlines), claiming that the next flagship chipset, apparently dubbed the Dimensity 9300, has been too hot to handle for OEMs, according to people familiar with the chipset maker's firm. Blass further notes this has been a significant issue for OEM makers, who are said to have been promised performance benefits for their best Android phones likely to be released with the new chipset in the near future.

Blass says the issue boils down to the design aspect of the upcoming chipset, which is apparently an unconventional one. The octa-core Dimensity 9300 is believed to utilize all powerful cores while ditching the slow-performance cores altogether. These powerful performance cores include four Cortex A720 and another four Cortex-X4 cores.

Generally, ARM-based chips are said to have an even distribution of throttle performance with the utilization of high-performing and slow cores. MediaTek is reportedly opting for only high-performing cores in favor of boosting its chip, raising concerns between the chipset and OEM makers, as the end consumers would have to bear the heat on their hands if the alleged chipset makes its way to their smartphones.

With the chipset, which is also equipping on-device generative AI, rumored for an October launch, Blass notes that MediaTek has to figure out a way to address the concerns around the Dimensity 9300 before it is released. Of course, if the report is to be believed, and with the next Snapdragon flagship chipset also set to launch in October, this could give Qualcomm a much-needed boost as Android OEMs figure out what to do.

Update

MediaTek vehemently denies the rumors that it's running into issues with its upcoming chip, stating that claims regarding its unannounced chipset overheating are false.

"The rumor started by Android Headlines about MediaTek’s yet to be announced chipset is completely false and has no source or basis in fact," a MediaTek spokesperson told Android Central.

As such, it seems there may be absolutely nothing to worry about regarding MediaTek's next flagship chipset. The company has yet to reveal when the chip will be announced, but we expect a launch to occur before the end of the year, where we will learn more about its capabilities and hopefully the upcoming phones that it will power.

Vishnu Sarangapurkar
News Writer

Vishnu works as a freelance News Writer for Android Central. For the past four years, he's been writing about consumer technology, primarily involving smartphones, laptops, and every other gizmo connected to the Internet. When he is away from keyboard, you can see him going on a long drive or chilling on a couch binge-watching some crime series.

With contributions from