MediaTek Outpaces Qualcomm To Develop 3nm Chipset Using TSMC's Technology

Chipset-making major MediaTek has developed its first 3-nanometer (nm) chip based on TSMC's 3nm process technology.

Chipset-making major MediaTek has developed its first 3-nanometer (nm) chip based on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company's (TSMC) 3nm process technology. MediaTek's new 3nm processor will make its commercial debut in 2024 and be a part of the flagship MediaTek Dimensity chipset series. The new SoC promises better efficiency and better performance.

The press note did not highlight much about the new chipset and only highlighted that it offers a substantial upgrade over the previous 5nm SoC. TSMC’s 3nm process technology provides enhanced performance, power and yield, in addition to complete platform support for both high-performance computing and mobile applications.

Compared with TSMC’s N5 process, the 3nm technology currently offers as much as 18 per cent speed improvement at the same power, or 32 per cent power reduction at the same speed, and approximately 60 per cent increase in logic density, the chipset maker noted.

“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,” Joe Chen, President of MediaTek, said in a statement.

“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.”

It is unlikely that 3nm chipset made by MediaTek will be the first to feature on a flagship device as Cupertino-based Apple was the first smartphone OEM to work with TSMC to build its 3nm SoC which may feature in its upcoming iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The vanilla Apple iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are likely to be powered by last year's A16 Bionic chip.