TSMC’s cutting-edge manufacturing processes are piling on steep costs for its partners, which is why Apple was the only company to unveil its A17 Pro and M3 chips on the new 3nm ‘N3B’ node last year. The upcoming second-generation 3nm process, known as ‘N3E,’ isn’t any cheaper, but it does promise improved yields, along with performance and efficiency boosts. These enhancements could persuade more tech companies like Qualcomm and MediaTek to adopt this advanced technology.
For the Android world, the first chipsets to utilize this lithography will be the Dimensity 9400 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 4. A reliable tipster suggests that MediaTek’s flagship SoC, the Dimensity 9400, will come with a 20% price increase but will still be more affordable than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4. This price difference could make the Dimensity 9400 a favorite among many Chinese smartphone brands.
The anticipated price for the Dimensity 9400 is around $155, whereas the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 is rumored to be pricier at $190. Another tipster had previously mentioned a $240 price tag for Qualcomm’s next flagship chip, suggesting a 20% rise in cost. This earlier estimate hints that the current-generation Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is priced at $200, which makes the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 being cheaper seem very unlikely. If we take these price estimates at face value, the Dimensity 9400 appears to be the more logical choice for manufacturers, especially given its reported performance.
The Dimensity 9400 is turning heads with impressive benchmark scores, being the first smartphone chipset to achieve over 3 million points on AnTuTu. Its new ARM Immortalis-G925 MP12 GPU also shows robust performance, outpacing Apple’s M4 in GFXBench’s Aztec Ruins 1440p benchmark. These benchmarks elevate the Dimensity 9400’s appeal for manufacturers looking to deliver high-performance smartphones. While we await real-world performance results from commercial devices, a $155 price point for the Dimensity 9400 could put significant pressure on Qualcomm.
The buzz around these new chipsets highlights an exciting time for technology enthusiasts and industry insiders alike, as the race for superior performance and efficiency continues to drive innovation.
