Dimensity 9500 vs Google Tensor G5 – The Battle of Next-Gen 3nm AI Chipsets

The smartphone chipset war in 2025 has entered a new era with two major 3nm contenders — MediaTek’s Dimensity 9500 and Google’s Tensor G5. Both chips promise power, efficiency, and next-generation AI performance, but their goals and strengths differ.

Based on initial benchmarks and specifications, here is a comparative overview:

Feature	MediaTek Dimensity 9500	Google Tensor G5
Manufacturing Process	TSMC’s 3nm (N3P)	TSMC’s 3nm (N3E)
CPU Architecture	Latest Arm C1-series cores (All Big Core design)	Arm Cortex CPU cores (Older generation, e.g., 1x Cortex-X4, 5x A725, 2x A520)
Peak CPU Frequency	Up to 4.21 GHz (C1-Ultra core)	Up to 3.78 GHz (Cortex-X4 core)
GPU	Arm Mali-G1 Ultra MC12 (Supports Ray Tracing)	Imagination Technologies DXT-48-1536 GPU (No Ray Tracing)
Benchmark Performance	Substantially higher (e.g., up to 75% faster in single-core and 81% faster in multi-core Geekbench scores compared to Tensor G5, based on MediaTek’s reported numbers)	Lower than Dimensity 9500 and other flagships, as it does not chase raw benchmark numbers.
AI Focus	High performance with MediaTek NPU 990, Generative AI Engine 2.0, and BitNet 1.58-bit support.	Primary focus with the latest Google Edge TPU; optimized for running Google’s Gemini Nano model on-device and powering Pixel-specific AI features.
Modem	MediaTek Release 17 5G modem (Sub-6GHz only)	Samsung Exynos 5400 5G modem

Architecture and Performance

The Dimensity 9500 is built on TSMC’s advanced 3nm process, featuring a high-performance CPU cluster — one ultra core at 4.21 GHz, three premium cores at 3.5 GHz, and four efficiency cores at 2.7 GHz. This setup delivers exceptional benchmark scores, easily rivaling Qualcomm’s latest flagship chips.

On the other hand, Google’s Tensor G5, also produced by TSMC on a 3nm node, uses a blend of Cortex-X4 and Cortex-A725 cores. While the raw CPU numbers may not reach the same heights as the Dimensity 9500, Google has tuned the chip for smarter, more efficient task handling across Android and Pixel devices.

Graphics and Gaming Power

MediaTek’s 9500 brings a Mali-G1 Ultra GPU with 12 cores and ray tracing support, aiming at serious gamers and creators. Early tests suggest impressive 3D performance with stable thermal control.
The Tensor G5 keeps its GPU details under wraps, but it’s known to emphasize AI-driven rendering and camera enhancements over pure gaming horsepower.

AI and Machine Learning

Both chipsets push AI to the forefront. The Dimensity 9500’s NPU 990 supports advanced machine-learning operations, image generation, and real-time object recognition.
The Tensor G5 leans heavily on Google’s TPU (Tensor Processing Unit), offering up to 60% faster on-device AI processing — improving features like voice recognition, photo editing, and translation.

Efficiency and Real-World Use

MediaTek highlights major gains in power efficiency compared to older Dimensity models, while Google’s shift from Samsung to TSMC brings much-needed thermal stability.
In real-world scenarios, Dimensity 9500 may lead in sustained gaming and heavy workloads, while Tensor G5 delivers smoother performance for daily use and AI-based experiences.

Key Takeaways

Raw Performance: The Dimensity 9500 is designed for maximum raw CPU and GPU performance, featuring the latest Arm core designs, higher clock speeds, and a more powerful, ray-tracing capable GPU. Its early benchmark results (which should be taken with caution as they are vendor-reported) indicate a significant lead over the Tensor G5 in sheer computing power.
AI and Efficiency (Google’s Focus): The Tensor G5 prioritizes custom hardware for Google’s software experience, particularly on-device Artificial Intelligence (AI) through its new Edge TPU. While it’s a significant upgrade over previous Tensor chips (moving to TSMC’s 3nm process for efficiency), it still uses older-generation Arm CPU cores and a mid-tier GPU. Google’s strategy is to optimize the overall user experience, thermal efficiency, and AI features rather than compete on peak benchmark scores.
Manufacturing: Both chips are fabricated on a 3nm process node by TSMC, which is a major shift for Google’s Tensor line and is expected to offer better power and thermal efficiency compared to previous generations of Tensor chips.

Verdict

If your priority is raw power, gaming, or multitasking, the Dimensity 9500 stands out as a performance beast.
If you value AI features, camera intelligence, and deep Android integration, Tensor G5 offers a uniquely optimized experience.

In summary, the Dimensity 9500 appears to be the better choice for users prioritizing peak performance and gaming, while the Tensor G5 is tailored for the Google Pixel ecosystem, focusing on deep integration of AI features and overall user experience rather than winning benchmark wars.

Both represent the future of mobile computing — one driven by speed, the other by smart optimization.