MediaTek has announced that it has developed a smartphone chipset using TSMC’s 3nm fabrication process. In the process, the Taiwanese firm became the world’s first to bring a 3nm smartphone SoC beating the likes of Apple, Qualcomm, and Samsung, a major feat in the industry.
MediaTek refrained from naming the chipset but it will offer a leap in performance and power efficiency. The firm said that the processor will provide enhanced performance power, and yield. Additionally, it is able to support high-performance computing and mobile applications.
In stats, TSMC’s 3nm technology offers up to 18% speed improvement at the same power, or 32% power reduction at the same speed. Likewise, the premium tech provides a 60% enhancement in logic density. These improvements could bring an elevated user experience from the current-gen smartphone processors from Qualcomm, and Samsung.
“We are committed to our vision of using the world’s most advanced technology to create cutting-edge products that improve our lives in meaningful ways,” stated Joe Chen, President of MediaTek. “TSMC’s consistent and high-quality manufacturing capabilities enable MediaTek to fully demonstrate its superior design in flagship chipsets, offering the highest performance and quality solutions to our global customers and enhancing the user experience in the flagship market.”
“This collaboration between MediaTek and TSMC on MediaTek’s Dimensity SoC means the power of the industry’s most advanced semiconductor process technology can be as accessible as the smartphone in your pocket,” commented Dr. Cliff Hou, Senior Vice President of Europe and Asia Sales at TSMC. “Throughout the years, we have worked closely with MediaTek to bring numerous significant innovations to the market and are honored to continue our partnership into the 3nm generation and beyond.“
Also read: MediaTek Unveils Dimensity 9200+ | 5G, WiFi 7, 320 MP Camera
MediaTek 3nm chipset to debut in 2024
Not much for the spec sheet has been disclosed yet but MediaTek did mention that its first 3nm chipset will debut in smartphones, tablets, intelligent cars, and other electronics somewhere in the second half of 2024. The 3nm chipset is a high-end product and we expect only the premium and upper-mid-range devices to feature them.
MediaTek and TSMC are long-time collaborators. TSMC fabricates the majority of the MediaTek Dimensity chips.
The 3nm race!
While MediaTek is officially the first to announce the development of the 3nm smartphone chipset, its competitors are not far behind. In fact, Apple could possibly launch its next-generation iPhone 15 series with a 3nm Apple A17 series processor. If that happens, the US company will be the first to actually ship devices with the 3nm SoC.
On the other hand, Qualcomm and Samsung might also launch their 3nm chips at the end of 2024. There are rumors that Samsung could use its 3nm asset for its next-gen Galaxy S25 series.
Why 3nm is a key?
In semiconductors, nm stands for nanometer. In layman’s terms, it is the distance between transistors. Modern-day chipsets consist of billions of transistors and the more the better as they translate to higher computing capability. To house more transistors, the distance should also be smaller. That is why, a lower number always indicates better. That is why, the 3nm chipset is better than the 5nm chipset. TMSC’s 3nm SoC will reportedly have 300 million transistors per square mm. But GPU, RAM, and other factors equally remain vital as to how good performance a smartphone can deliver.
Which “nm” technology is used to make your phone’s SoC? Do share with us in the comments below.
