Introduction
The MediaTek Dimensity 8100 is the latest 5nm chipset from MediaTek aimed at high-end smartphones. Announced in early 2022, this chipset brings significant improvements in CPU, GPU, AI, and imaging performance compared to previous Dimensity chipsets.
With its octa-core CPU based on Arm Cortex-A78 and A55 cores along with an Arm Mali-G610 MC6 GPU, the Dimensity 8100 delivers excellent performance while maintaining power efficiency. It is built on TSMC’s advanced 5nm process node, allowing for a smaller chip area while packing more transistors.
Some of the key highlights of the Dimensity 8100 include an upgraded CPU and GPU, staggering AI performance improvements, high refresh rate display support, advanced camera capabilities, and 5G connectivity. Overall, the Dimensity 8100 promises flagship-level performance and features for more affordable premium smartphones.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of the new MediaTek Dimensity 8100 chipset, examining its specifications, real-world performance, and how it compares to competitors like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and Exynos 2100.
CPU
The MediaTek Dimensity 8100 features an octa-core CPU configuration with 4 high-performance Arm Cortex-A78 cores and 4 power-efficient Arm Cortex-A55 cores.
The 4 Cortex-A78 cores are based on Arm’s latest v6.0 architecture and can reach clock speeds up to 2.85GHz. These high-performance cores deliver a nice boost in processing power compared to previous Dimensity chips. They handle demanding workloads like gaming, creative apps, and multi-tasking smoothly.
Complementing the performance cores are the 4 Cortex-A55 cores clocked at 2.0GHz. Based on the power-efficient v5.0 architecture, these cores efficiently handle light background tasks. The combination of performance and efficiency cores provides a good balance between high performance and long battery life.
The octa-core CPU brings a significant uplift in both single-threaded and multi-threaded performance compared to the previous Dimensity 9000 chip. As an example, Geekbench scores show a 20% increase in single-core performance and 10% gain in multi-core. This should result in snappier app launches and faster processing in day-to-day usage.
Overall, the octa-core CPU configuration in the Dimensity 8100 delivers excellent processing power for a mid-range 5G chipset. With two clusters tuned for high performance and efficiency, it promises fast and smooth smartphone experiences.
GPU
The Dimensity 8100 features an Arm Mali-G610 MC6 GPU that delivers excellent graphics performance. The GPU has 6 cores and operates at a peak clock speed of up to 2.85GHz, making it one of the fastest smartphone GPUs in its class.
The high clock speed enables significantly better graphics rendering compared to previous generation mid-range GPUs. This results in higher frame rates and smoother gameplay while running graphics-intensive apps and games.
With the Mali-G610 MC6, the Dimensity 8100 can support FHD+ displays up to 168Hz refresh rate. This enables incredibly fluid visuals and responsiveness while scrolling web pages or playing high frame rate games. The GPU is also capable of handling visually demanding games with complex 3D graphics and special effects.
Even with heavy graphical workloads, the Mali-G610 MC6 can operate efficiently thanks to its power-saving architecture. It balances high performance and longer battery life for a great gaming experience on devices powered by the Dimensity 8100.
Overall, the fast 2.85GHz GPU gives the Dimensity 8100 exceptional graphics capabilities for a mid-range 5G chipset. It brings flagship-level visual performance to more affordable smartphones.
AI Performance
MediaTek’s Dimensity 8100 features an integrated AI Processing Unit (APU) and Neural Processing Unit (NPU) to enable powerful on-device artificial intelligence.
The APU is designed to handle tasks like ERM, noise reduction, and image quality optimization. It can process ULTRA HD video calls in real-time for sharper images and clearer audio. The APU works together with the NPU for optimal AI performance across a wide range of use cases.
The NPU is built for efficient AI inference, the process of executing pre-trained deep learning models. It provides up to 5 TOPS of performance at maximum clock speed. This level of throughput allows the Dimensity 8100 to run advanced AI applications, from real-time video enhancements to AI multi-camera features.
With the APU and NPU working in tandem, the Dimensity 8100 brings flagship-level AI capabilities to upper mid-range 5G smartphones. Users can enjoy incredibly fast and accurate AI processing for photography, videography, voice assistance, and more.
Display Features
The MediaTek Dimensity 8100 packs in an impressive array of display features that enable smooth, high-quality visuals on the latest smartphone displays.
A key highlight is support for FHD+ displays with refresh rates up to 168Hz. This enables incredibly fluid scrolling and animations, with frames rates nearly three times higher than standard 60Hz displays. The 168Hz refresh rate results in barely perceptible lag and zero visual stuttering when browsing sites or playing games.
By integrating an intelligent dynamic refresh rate switching mechanism, the Dimensity 8100 can also match the display’s refresh rate to the content being shown. This enhances power efficiency by avoiding unnecessary high refresh rates when viewing static content. Overall, the MediaTek chipset delivers a premium visual experience whether watching movies, gaming, or just browsing the web.
The Dimensity 8100 also supports HDR10+ high dynamic range content. With a wider color gamut and increased contrast, HDR10+ brings photos and videos to life with more vivid, accurate colors and additional detail in bright and dark areas. Even without HDR content, the chipset uses AI picture quality enhancement to boost details and vibrance.
With its exceptional refresh rates, intelligent switching between refresh modes, and enhancements for detail and color, the Dimensity 8100 enables smartphone displays to deliver their very best visual capabilities. Users can enjoy fluid responsive experiences with crisp, vivid graphics at all times.
Camera Capabilities
The MediaTek Dimensity 8100 features impressive camera capabilities powered by an advanced image signal processor. It supports staggering camera resolutions up to 200MP, enabling incredibly detailed photos.
The 8100 is also capable of AV1 video encoding. AV1 is a new, state-of-the-art video codec that offers superior compression efficiency compared to older codecs like H.264 and H.265. This allows Dimensity-powered devices to capture high quality 4K and even 8K video while using less storage space and bandwidth. AV1 encoding also enables faster upload speeds and lower power consumption during video recording.
Overall, the combination of up to 200MP photo capture and AV1 encoding makes the Dimensity 8100 a highly compelling platform for mobile photography and videography. Users can expect their photos and videos to have more detail, take up less space, and require less time and battery power to share. These camera capabilities position MediaTek Dimensity-powered devices as excellent choices for content creators and photography enthusiasts who demand top-tier imaging performance from their mobile devices.
Connectivity
The MediaTek Dimensity 8100 packs an integrated 5G modem for fast and reliable connectivity. This modem supports both 5G standalone (SA) and non-standalone (NSA) network architectures.
It delivers super-fast 5G speeds up to 7Gbps on the downlink and 3Gbps on the uplink. The integrated modem also provides energy savings compared to discrete 5G modems.
For 4G LTE connections, the modem offers carrier aggregation across FDD and TDD bands. This results in high peak data rates of up to 4.7Gbps downlink and 2.5Gbps uplink.
The SoC also packs MediaTek’s 5G UltraSave technology. This helps reduce power consumption in 5G mode compared to LTE mode. Overall, the integrated 5G modem delivers fast and reliable 5G and 4G connectivity with great power efficiency.
Power Efficiency
The MediaTek Dimensity 8100 is built on TSMC’s second generation 6nm process node. This advanced manufacturing process allows the chipset to deliver powerful performance while remaining extremely power efficient.
Compared to previous 7nm process nodes, TSMC’s 6nm process provides up to 18% better power efficiency. This is achieved through innovations like the use of EUV lithography techniques and optimized standard cell libraries. As a result, the overall power consumption of the Dimensity 8100 is significantly reduced.
Despite having more transistor density than 7nm chips, the Dimensity 8100 operates at lower voltages. The chipset is able to extract more performance per watt, striking an optimal balance between high performance and long battery life.
With Arm’s big.LITTLE architecture, the Dimensity 8100 can dynamically allocate tasks to the appropriate high-performance or power-efficient CPU cores. This maximizes efficiency by only utilizing the maximum CPU power when absolutely necessary.
Advanced power management features like dynamic voltage and frequency scaling also help improve efficiency. The chipset can automatically adjust operating frequencies based on workload demand. By scaling down during less intensive tasks, overall power draw is decreased.
In summary, the shift to a cutting-edge 6nm process gives the Dimensity 8100 a significant advantage in power efficiency over previous generation chipsets. Even with more power-hungry 5G connectivity, the Dimensity 8100 sets a new standard for battery life in premium smartphones.
Real-World Performance
The Dimensity 8100 delivers excellent real-world performance that matches or exceeds many flagship chips thanks to its advanced 5nm process node and efficient CPU and GPU design.
In benchmarks, the Dimensity 8100 posts scores comparable to the Snapdragon 888 and often surpasses chips like the Dimensity 9000 and Exynos 2100. For example, in AnTuTu the Dimensity 8100 scores over 720,000 which is better than the Exynos 2100 and on par with the Snapdragon 888.
The Dimensity 8100’s performance is already being showcased in real-world devices. The recently released OnePlus Nord 2T with Dimensity 8100 matches the multi-core performance of 2021 flagships with Snapdragon 888 while using less power. In single-core tests, the Nord 2T outperforms the Google Pixel 6’s Tensor chip.
Other Dimensity 8100 devices like the Oppo Reno 8 Pro demonstrate the chip’s ability to provide a smooth and responsive user experience. The Reno 8 Pro scores highly in touch sampling rate tests for gaming and achieves excellent results in benchmarks like Geekbench.
With its advanced TSMC 5nm process, fast and efficient CPU and GPU, plus MediaTek’s optimizations, the Dimensity 8100 delivers excellent real-world performance comparable to last year’s flagship chips. This has been demonstrated through benchmark comparisons and devices like the OnePlus Nord 2T and Oppo Reno 8 Pro. The Dimensity 8100 provides a flagship-tier experience while being more affordable and power efficient.
Conclusion
The MediaTek Dimensity 8100 stands out as a flagship-level chipset that brings high performance and advanced features to more affordable devices. With its octa-core CPU based on Arm Cortex architecture and Mali-G610 MC6 GPU, the Dimensity 8100 delivers excellent all-around performance for gaming, creative apps, photography, and daily use.
AI is a strong suit for this chipset. The APU 3.0 AI processor delivers up to 4x performance gains for intelligent features like noise reduction and HDR imaging. For mobile photography and videography, the support for 200MP cameras, multi-frame HDR capture, AV1 hardware decoding, and other imaging features allow users to capture professional-quality content.
Connectivity is another highlight. With an integrated 5G modem supporting both mmWave and sub-6 networks, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3, the Dimensity 8100 enables the fastest speeds and lowest latency, keeping users connected anywhere. The chipset is also manufactured on a 5nm process for excellent power efficiency.
Overall, the Dimensity 8100 brings flagship power and next-gen features like AI, imaging, and connectivity to more affordable device categories. For users wanting great performance without the premium price tag, phones powered by this new MediaTek chipset will provide excellent value and capabilities.
