The MediaTek Dimensity 9300 is Finally Here; Too Bad your Next Phone comes with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
Following the launch of the new Qualcomm Snapdragon and MediaTek Dimensity chips only weeks apart, a lot of smartphone enthusiasts are probably wondering (and quite possibly arguing) as to which of the two is the more ideal SoC in terms of overall performance and efficiency.
The debut of the Dimensity 9300 has clearly shown that MediaTek has what it takes to push back towards competitors, and while we’re still waiting to see how the 9300 performs out in the real world, there have been a lot of promises as to what it can do versus the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, itself a much-anticipated follow-up to the well-received Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 from last year.
With that in mind, the Dimensity 9300’s presence is sure to be felt soon – there’s just a catch, however.
READ: MediaTek’s Dimensity 9300 is Here and it is a MASSIVE Upgrade!
Heated Competition
In presenting the Dimensity 9300, MediaTek wasted no time in pointing out how its new chipset can out-perform the 8 Gen 3, at least as far as benchmarks are concerned. The 9300’s architecture comes with 4 Ultra-Large Core + 4 Big Cores, which on paper should provide the chip with considerably better performance versus the 8 Gen 3’s 1 Ultra-Large Core + 5 Big Cores + 2 Small Core-architecture.
MediaTek even went so far as to present benchmark numbers showing the 9300’s capability to go neck-and-neck with the 8 Gen 3, with an AnTuTu score of 2,130,000+. Scores also show the new chip out-performing the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 by over 40%, at least based on early GeekBench v6 Multi-Core tests.
Of course this is not to say that the 8 Gen 3 is old news by now, as these early impressions might still differ from real-world performance. MediaTek hasn’t given exact on-the-dot dates as to when we can expect to see the 9300 out in the wild, but it did state that we’ll see them in smartphones near the end of the year, which brings us to our next point of discussion.
Stuck with Snapdragon?
By now, you’ve probably read all the fancy new improvements that the Dimensity 9300 comes with (not to mention the benchmarks that we mentioned just now) and decided that you want to go for a device with MediaTek’s new flagship chip inside. One big consideration is that if you live in North America, this might not be easily possible.
…buyers looking forward to getting their hands on a 9300-powered smartphone will have to go through the extra mile of importing a unit from overseas
Given the somewhat limited availability of foreign smartphone brands in the US, buyers looking forward to getting their hands on a 9300-powered smartphone will have to go through the extra mile of importing a unit from overseas, which will come with some considerable costs, and possible compatibility issues with features and connectivity with US carriers.
Take for example the upcoming Vivo X100, which is expected to be the first smartphone to launch with the Dimensity 9300 inside. Since Vivo in general lacks a considerable presence in the US market, this means that most buyers in North America will have to import one from overseas third-party sellers, or instead settle for a non-Dimensity powered phone. Brands like Samsung and Motorola for example often use Qulacomm’s flagship chips on their high-end devices, limiting MediaTek’s reach in the West.
READ: MediaTek’s Dimensity 9300 is Ready to Take on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
So What Now?
Of course, opting to go instead for a smartphone with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 inside isn’t so bad – after all, Qualcomm’s much-anticipated sequel to the 8 Gen 2 boasts some of the most impressive specs and performance that we’ve seen in a while, both in terms of raw performance as well as AI software features.
If you live outside the US however, then you’re in luck – there’s a wide variety of OEMs that MediaTek has partnered with for its latest chipset, including the likes of Oppo, vivo, Xiaomi, and more, meaning that getting your hands on MediaTek’s latest and greatest is a sure possibility.
Of course, it should be noted that while the Dimensity 9300’s benchmarks are rather impressive, discerning buyers (or hopeful importers) will want to wait and see some more real-world usage samples, once MediaTek’s new mobile SoC hits international markets. Nevertheless, it’s apparent that MediaTek has the capacity to fully elevate itself in terms of competing with the more “popular” names in the industry – it’s a just a shame that not all will be able to experience it.