MediaTek Processor Naming Scheme Explained: How to Pick the Best Chip?
MediaTek first announced its Dimensity series of processors in 2019 and since then has launched several chipsets targeting phones in different price ranges. The problem? The naming scheme of MediaTek processors. It can be overwhelming to judge them based on their model names, especially with the multiple rebrands they go through.
For example, the Dimensity 7050 is essentially a rebranded Dimensity 1080, even though the higher model number might suggest it’s superior. Most people wouldn’t realize this unless they do some serious research.
Let’s understand the naming scheme of MediaTek Dimensity processors. To simplify, I’ve divided chipsets into four different tiers (Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3, and Tier 4), with Tier 1 being the absolute flagship and Tier 4 being the low-end budget processors.
Also Read:Qualcomm Snapdragon mobile processors have prettyconfusing naming conventionsthemselves. Take a look to understand better.
Table of Contents
Tier 1: MediaTek Flagship Processors
MediaTek wasn’t known for flagship processors. But it slowly gained a good reputation by providing great performance, controlled heating (something MediaTek was previously criticized for), and generally lower pricing compared to Qualcomm.
Dimensity 9000-series is the brand’s flagship offering, with processors typically scoring above 1 million in AnTuTu benchmarks. The Dimensity 9000 itself scores around 1 million, while the latest Dimensity 9300 Plus reaches over 2.2 million.
Here’s the complete lineup ranked from highest to lowest performance:
The Dimensity 9300 and 9300 Plus are currently the most powerful MediaTek processors, competing with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. They are based on TSMC’s 3rd-generation 4nm+ N4P process and feature a powerful combination of Cortex-X4 and Cortex-A720 cores.
The Dimensity 9300 Plus supports hardware ray-tracing, a first for a MediaTek chip, putting it on par with its Qualcomm rival. It boasts a 12-core Immortalis-G720 GPU and supports Wi-Fi 7, Sub6GHz, and mmWave connectivity.
Tier 2: MediaTek Upper Mid-range Processors
The Dimensity 8000 series is MediaTek’s premium offering for upper mid-range phones, known for its price-to-performance ratio. These chipsets sit just below the flagship 9000 series, offering great performance for competitively priced phones.
Some processors within this series, like the latest Dimensity 8300, even inherit flagship features such as improved AI processing and enhanced camera capabilities.
Here’s the complete list ranked from highest to lowest performance:
The Dimensity 8300, the latest and most powerful in the lineup, is built on TSMC’s second-generation 4nm fabrication process. In contrast, the older Dimensity 8000 series, once considered the younger sibling to the flagship Dimensity 9000, was fabricated on a 5nm node.
The Poco X6 Pro, equipped with the Dimensity 8300 Ultra, scores over 1.4 million in AnTuTu benchmarks, surpassing even the Dimensity 9200 mentioned earlier.
Notice how the nomenclature for the higher-spec chip changed from “Plus” to “Ultra” in this case.
Other chipsets, such as the Dimensity 8050, Dimensity 8020, and Dimensity 1200 and 1200 Ultra, were once considered flagship-level (considering what they’ve been rebranded from). However, being built on an older 6nm process, they have aged, and newer generations have consequently pushed them into the upper mid-range category.
Tier 3: MediaTek Mid-Range Processors
Next is MediaTek’s mid-range series, primarily consisting of Dimensity 7000-series processors. Most of them are rebrands of older 800, 900, and 1000-series chips with minor tweaks. These chipsets are designed to provide capable performance for everyday tasks and gaming.
Here’s the full list ranked from highest to lowest performance:
The top performers in this list include the latestDimensity 7350 Proused in the Nothing Phone 2a Plus, theDimensity 7200 Proin the Nothing Phone 2a, and theDimensity 7300in the CMF Phone 1 and Motorola Edge 50 Neo. These are all new, efficient 4nm-based processors currently dominating the mid-range segment.
Other Examples:
Tier 4: MediaTek Budget Processors
Lastly, we have low-end budget processors that are either built on 6nm or 7nm process and are mostly good for casual everyday smartphone use. Don’t expect wonders from these processors as they may struggle with demanding games or intensive tasks.
Here’s the detailed list ranked from highest to lowest performance:
The Dimensity 6080 is a slightly tweaked version of the Dimensity 810 with enhanced camera support. The Dimensity 6100+ and 6200 are rebranded versions of the Dimensity 700 with minor enhancements.
The Dimensity 6300, while based on the older Helio G99, gets improvements like higher CPU clock speeds, 5G connectivity, and enhanced AI capabilities.
A Note on Older MediaTek Processors
While we’ve focused on the current Dimensity series, it’s worth noting that MediaTek has a long history of producing processors, some of which still power devices today. This includes the Helio series, which was commonly found in budget and low-powered smartphones.
The Helio series was further divided into Helio G, Helio P, and Helio X, each targeting different performance tiers:
These processors generally followed a similar naming convention (e.g., Helio G90, Helio X30, Helio P22), with higher numbers indicating better performance within their respective series.
MediaTek Chipsets for Laptops
The Taiwanese chipmaker also makes processors for Chromebooks under its “Kompanio” series. In fact, it’s also designing ARM-based chips for Microsoft’s AI laptops, slated to launch in late 2025. Here are MediaTek processors used in Chromebooks:
Yeah, It’s a Hell Lot Confusing!
MediaTek’s naming scheme? It’s a puzzle, no doubt. But hey, at least you now have a simplified guide to navigate this maze of processor names.
Let’s recap:
Flagship and Premium:The Dimensity 9000-series and 8000-series are relatively straightforward. Higher numbers generally mean better performance, although watch out for the occasional rebranded older chip sneaking into the 8000-series.
Mid-Range and Budget:This is where the real confusion lies. It’s not just the inconsistent naming that throws you off, but also the baffling performance discrepancies. The Dimensity 7200 might outperform the 7300 in some areas, for instance. And then there’s the marketing hype with the “world’s first” launches, like Moto Edge 40 Neo debuts with the world’s first Dimensity 7030 (which in reality is a rebranded SoC). It’s all part of the marketing strategy to create a sense of constant innovation, even if the actual advancements are marginal.
In the end, it pays to do your research. Don’t fall for the numbers game or the marketing buzz. Do your homework, compare benchmarks, and read reviews before you commit to a mid-range or budget MediaTek phone.
Remember, the best processor isn’t always the one with the highest number or the flashiest launch – it’s the one that delivers the performance you need at a price you can afford.
Ritik Singh
With over 7 years of experience in tech, Ritik currently heads content at Techwiser.com. His journey started by sharing knowledge and helping others in online communities. That passion soon turned into a career in tech journalism, backed by a formal education in Electronic Media. He’s held editorial roles at GadgetsToUse and PC-Tablet, and has contributed to popular publications like HowToGeek and TheWindowsClub. With over 2,000 how-tos, reviews, and in-depth guides under his belt, Ritik has helped millions of readers get more out of their tech—from smartphones to smart homes.
