Top Picks for 2025 Phones eschew Qualcomm powerhouses
In the competitive world of high-end smartphone chips, MediaTek and Qualcomm are locked in a fierce battle in 2025. MediaTek, with its Dimensity series, is making significant strides, particularly with the Dimensity 9400 and the upcoming 9500, while Qualcomm relies on its premium Snapdragon 8 Elite line [1][2].
MediaTek's Ascendancy
MediaTek's rise in the market can be attributed to its competitive pricing and solid performance in the high-end Dimensity 9000 series. These chips offer premium performance that appeals to manufacturers aiming for cost-efficient flagship devices [1][2].
Dimensity 9400 in Flagship Devices
Phones like the Vivo X200 Pro and Find X8 Pro are now using MediaTek’s Dimensity 9400, allowing these devices to deliver flagship-level speed, efficiency, and multimedia capabilities at more affordable prices. This chip's success is helping MediaTek gain ground in markets traditionally dominated by Qualcomm [1].
Qualcomm's Strategy
Qualcomm's approach is centred around high pricing to maintain revenue growth, even as unit sales face pressure. The company is expected to continue advancing chip technology to 2nm process nodes to stay competitive, but higher prices may challenge phone makers' willingness to adopt the top-tier Snapdragon [1][2].
Market Dynamics
Qualcomm still dominates in premium, high-priced smartphone chip revenue, but MediaTek's value proposition is making it increasingly difficult for Qualcomm to maintain its lead in volume and even presence in premium flagships. The Vivo and Find phones exemplify this trend where MediaTek powers flagship phones that rival Snapdragon-based models [1][5].
Looking Forward
Both companies will continue to push forward technologically, with MediaTek planning to adopt 2nm manufacturing soon and Qualcomm refining its Snapdragon Elite lineup. The competition is expected to benefit consumers by fostering innovation and potentially driving down costs while maintaining performance [1][2].
Limited Expansion
However, MediaTek has yet to make a foothold in the foldable phone category, with all foldables in 2025 still powered by Qualcomm. Additionally, these devices are currently limited to China, which continues to be an annoyance [1][5].
Performance Parity
It's worth noting that there is no significant difference in performance between MediaTek's regular Arm cores and Qualcomm's custom design [1].
Update Rollout
To address this, MediaTek is working closely with major brands to ensure faster rollout of updates [1].
Mixed Manufacturer Use
Chinese manufacturers are using both MediaTek and Qualcomm designs in their phones. For instance, the X200 Pro uses the Dimensity 9400, while the X200 Ultra and Find X8 Ultra use Qualcomm [1].
Camera-Centric Phones
The Vivo X200 Pro and Find X8 Pro, both powered by the Dimensity 9400, are two of the best camera-centric phones available today [1].
[1] - AC Senior Editor Harish Jonnalagadda, Hardwired (2025) [2] - Various industry reports and analyst opinions [3] - Market research data on smartphone sales and chip adoption [4] - Interviews with phone manufacturers and chip suppliers [5] - On-device benchmarking and user reviews
Smartphones featuring MediaTek's Dimensity 9400, such as the Vivo X200 Pro and Find X8 Pro, offer flagship-level performance at more affordable prices, challenging the dominance of Qualcomm's Snapdragon in premium smartphone chips. MediaTek's increasing presence in flagship devices could lead to a shift in the market hierarchy, as technology advancements in gadgets continue to be a driving force in the competitive world of high-end smartphones.
