MediaTek Dimensity 9400 SoC can handle Gemini Nano-powered AI features
It has now been confirmed that the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 chipset, launching this month, is optimized to handle artificial intelligence (AI) tasks on the device, powered by the Gemini Nano model. On Monday, the chipmaker announced that not only its upcoming flagship processor, but also other Dimensity SoCs will support Google’s small language model designed for smartphone-based workflows. This means that any smartphone equipped with compatible MediaTek Dimensity chips can run the AI functions sent to the Android operating system. So far, only Pixel devices and some Samsung Galaxy phones have access to these features.
In a blog post, the chipmaker confirmed that the upcoming MediaTek Dimensity 9400 chipset will be optimized to run Google’s internal large language model for on-device tasks, Gemini Nano. For this, the company has integrated the eighth generation of its neural processing unit (NPU). The new NPU aims to provide hardware acceleration for AI tasks involving text, images and speech.
To offer this optimization for Gemini Nano, MediaTek partnered with Google. The chipmaker stated that this move not only reflects the company’s continued support for Google’s LLMs, but also “underlines the company’s commitment to expanding its Generative AI ecosystem and advancing Edge AI capabilities on Dimensity platforms .”
So far, Google has shipped two types of AI features through its Android platform. First, there are the server-based features like the Gemini virtual assistant on Android, Gemini in Messages, the recently introduced Ask Photos in Google Photos, and more. These are generally processed by larger Gemini models in the cloud.
The second level of AI functions are those that are fully or partially processed on the device. These include Pixel-specific features like live call transcription, text summarization, image generation, and more. Circle to Search, which has also been added to Samsung smartphones, is another example of this. These features are powered by Gemini Nano or similar models.
With more chipsets being optimized for Gemini Nano, it’s likely that Google will start rolling out some of the Pixel-specific features to other Android smartphones as well. The Vivo X200 and Oppo Find X8 are rumored to be the first smartphones to feature the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 chipset.
