Apple processors’ dominance in single-core performance could come to an end if rumors of upcoming chipsetsThe Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 and the Dimensity 9500 will turn out to be true.
These next-generation processors from Qualcomm and MediaTek, respectively, can match Apple’s M4 chip in single-core performance due to a combination of a number of factors, including the use of SME instructions and production using TSMC‘s advanced 3nm N3P process technology.
As a well-known Digital Chat Station insider clarifies on his Weibo page, both the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 and the Dimensity 9500 will support Arm’s SME, an instruction set that allows processors to handle complex workloads more efficiently.
This can significantly improve the performance of a single core, potentially putting upcoming Qualcomm and MediaTek products on a par with Apple’s M4 chip.
In addition to SME support, both chipsets will be manufactured using TSMC’s 3nm N3P process technology, which will significantly improve both performance and energy efficiency. Interestingly, the Apple A19 chip will also use the same 3nm process technology, as TSMC is experiencing problems with the release of 2nm chips.
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite 2
There is currently no more or less reliable information about the technical specifications of the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2. The only thing that is known for sure is that this processor will be produced at TSMC facilities.
MediaTek Dimensity 9500
According to rumors, the future MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chipset will integrate two Arm Cortex-X930 super cores with an operating frequency of up to 4.0 GHz and six Arm Cortex-A730 cores operating at 3.5 GHz.
The Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 and the Dimensity 9500 are expected to be unveiled this fall, but there are rumors that the former could be released “sometime in mid-2025.”