MediaTek has introduced the Dimensity 9600 Pro and Dimensity 9600M in Malaysia, setting the stage for the next wave of flagship smartphones. The chipsets headlined the company’s inaugural Malaysia Tech Day in Kuala Lumpur on 13 October 2026, where vivo confirmed that its X500 series will launch locally at the end of October.
The event, themed “The Next Leap”, focused on how advances in processing, on-device AI, graphics and imaging could translate into everyday improvements. For Malaysian buyers, the most immediate development is the upcoming vivo launch, although local pricing and the exact launch date have yet to be announced.
Dimensity 9600 Pro brings a 2nm flagship platform
The Dimensity 9600 Pro is built on a 2nm process and uses a 2+3+3 All Big Core CPU layout. It combines two C2-Ultra cores running at up to 4.55GHz, three C2-Pro cores at 4.35GHz and another three C2-Pro cores at 3.1GHz.
MediaTek claims up to 17% higher single-core performance and 15% higher multi-core performance over the previous generation, alongside a 61% reduction in multi-core power consumption. These figures were obtained using demonstration devices in MediaTek’s laboratories; retail phones may perform differently depending on cooling, software and workload.
On-device AI becomes a bigger priority
A dual-NPU architecture and the Dimensity Agentic AI Engine underpin the platform’s AI capabilities. MediaTek is positioning this as a move towards more proactive assistance, with smartphones able to interpret context and handle more sophisticated AI tasks directly on the device.
The NPU 1090 offers 51% faster large language model prefill performance, according to the company. The chipset also supports Google’s on-device AISeal security architecture, with faster responses and stronger privacy protections among the intended benefits.
Gaming gains with the G2-Ultra NX GPU
The integrated G2-Ultra NX GPU delivers up to 27% higher peak performance, up to 24% lower power consumption at peak performance and up to 18% faster ray tracing, MediaTek says. The platform supports gaming experiences at up to 185fps.
That frame-rate figure is a platform capability rather than a guarantee for every game. Actual results will depend on game support, the handset’s display and the manufacturer’s performance settings.
vivo X500 series coming to Malaysia in late October
The Dimensity 9600 Pro also features the Imagiq 1290 ISP and AI Imaging Fusion Architecture, combining image processing and AI computing for photography and video creation.
At the event, vivo Malaysia confirmed that its collaboration with MediaTek will bring 4K 120fps 10-bit Log video and 60fps subject tracking to the upcoming X500 series. These features target creators who want more flexibility when filming moving subjects or grading footage.
The X500 series is scheduled to launch in Malaysia at the end of October 2026. The announcement did not disclose Malaysian RM prices, a precise launch date or the full local model lineup, so those details remain pending.
What about the Dimensity 9600M?
MediaTek introduced the Dimensity 9600M alongside the Pro model as another premium processor option. It draws on technologies from the Dimensity 9600 Pro platform, bringing together AI, imaging, gaming, performance and connectivity capabilities.
The Malaysian release did not provide a complete CPU specification sheet or equivalent performance comparisons for the 9600M. The Pro model’s clock speeds and improvement figures should therefore not be assumed to apply to both chipsets.
With the new platforms now showcased locally, the next step is seeing how smartphone brands implement them. The vivo X500 launch later this month should offer Malaysian consumers a clearer picture of the available devices, features and prices.
Source: MediaTek Malaysia’s official press release dated 13 October 2026. Performance claims are based on MediaTek laboratory testing.
