Top Picks for 2025 Phones eschew Qualcomm powerhouses
In the dynamic world of technology, the competition between MediaTek and Qualcomm in the high-end smartphone market has reached new heights, particularly in China [1]. MediaTek, traditionally known as the second-tier chipmaker, is now making significant strides, challenging Qualcomm's dominance in the premium smartphone segment.
MediaTek's recent offerings, such as the Dimensity 9500 and Dimensity 9400 Plus, are among the top processors of 2025. They boast strong performance, better power efficiency, and longer battery life compared to Qualcomm chips [3]. These chips also incorporate features like generative AI, hardware-accelerated ray tracing, and adaptive gaming technologies that appeal to high-end users.
However, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite (Gen 4) still holds a slight edge in terms of raw power and sustained performance under load [3]. It also enjoys better gaming support, with high frame rate and graphics options, along with superior community support for custom ROMs and optimization due to wider source code availability.
In the market, the flagship performance gap is narrowing. Mid-range and upper-mid SoCs from both companies now deliver performance close to prior-generation flagships, making high-end features accessible on more affordable devices [2]. Despite MediaTek's rise, Qualcomm remains favored for flagship devices demanding the best sustained performance and gaming experience [3].
Leading manufacturers like Xiaomi experiment boldly with flagship features and collaborate with premium partners to ensure their flagship devices leverage the latest chip capabilities, whether Qualcomm or MediaTek-based [4].
The Vivo X200 Pro, one of the best camera-centric phones available today, is powered by MediaTek's Dimensity 9400. It takes the best photos of any phone used by AC Senior Editor Harish Jonnalagadda until now, and performs well in demanding games [5]. The X200 Pro holds up well in mundane situations and shows no differences when using on-device AI utilities [6].
Moreover, MediaTek's Dimensity 9400-powered phones, such as the X200 Pro, offer similar efficiency to Qualcomm's designs, with better battery life in some cases. The X200 Pro also received the Android 15 update at the same time as Qualcomm-based rivals [6].
However, these MediaTek and Qualcomm-powered devices are currently limited to China, which is a source of frustration [7]. MediaTek wants to continue making headway in the high-end market and shore up its lead in the mid-range categories in the interim. Its goal is to continue its momentum with the Dimensity 9500 [7].
In conclusion, while Qualcomm currently holds a slight edge in sustained flagship performance and ecosystem support, MediaTek is rapidly advancing, particularly in China, eroding Qualcomm’s traditional dominance in the high-end smartphone chipset market with efficient, feature-rich processors [1][3]. The race between these two giants promises to be an exciting one in the coming years.
[1] The Verge [2] AnandTech [3] Tom's Hardware [4] GSM Arena [5] Harish Jonnalagadda, AC Senior Editor [6] Harish Jonnalagadda, AC Senior Editor [7] Harish Jonnalagadda, AC Senior Editor
Smartphones equipped with MediaTek's high-end processors, like the Dimensity 9500 and Dimensity 9400 Plus, challenge Qualcomm's dominance in the premium segment, offering features such as generative AI, hardware-accelerated ray tracing, and adaptive gaming technologies.
In the market, MediaTek's recent offerings, such as the Vivo X200 Pro, rival Qualcomm-powered devices in terms of efficiency, battery life, and even in possibilities like camera performance and software updates.
