The MediaTek Dimensity 9400 chipset, scheduled for release this month, has been confirmed to be optimized for artificial intelligence (AI) tasks on the Gemini Nano-based device. On Monday, the chipmaker announced that not only its upcoming flagship processor, but also Dimensity’s other SoCs will support Google’s small language model designed for smartphone-based workflows. This means that any smartphone equipped with compatible MediaTek Dimensity chips will be able to run the AI features that come with the Android operating system. Currently, only Pixel devices and some Samsung Galaxy phones have access to these features.
In a blog post, the chip maker confirmed that the upcoming MediaTek Dimensity 9400 chipset will be optimized to run Google’s internal large language model for tasks on the Gemini Nano device. For this, the company integrated the eighth generation of its neural processor (NPU). The new NPU is designed to provide hardware acceleration for AI tasks involving text, images and speech.
To offer this optimization for the Gemini Nano, MediaTek has partnered with Google. The chipmaker said the move not only reflects Google’s continued support for LLMs, but also “underlines the company’s commitment to expanding its Generative AI ecosystem and advancing Edge AI capabilities on Dimensity platforms.”
Google currently delivers two types of AI features through its Android platform. The first is server-side features such as the Gemini virtual assistant on Android, Gemini in Messages, the recently introduced Ask Photos in Google Photos, and more. These are usually handled by the larger Gemini models in the cloud.
The second level of AI features are those that are partially or fully processed on the device. This will include Pixel-specific features such as real-time call transcription, text summary, image creation, and more. The search circle, which has also been added to Samsung smartphones, is another example of the same. These features work on Gemini Nano or similar models.
As more chipsets are optimized for the Gemini Nano, it’s likely that Google will start rolling out some Pixel features to other Android smartphones as well. Notably, the Vivo X200 and Oppo Find X8 are rumored to be the first smartphones to feature the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 chipset.
