MediaTek has recently launched its Dimensity 8450 chipset, which is primarily an incremental upgrade from its predecessor, the Dimensity 8400. While it promises some improvements in gaming performance and 5G efficiency, the changes appear rather modest. The Dimensity 8450 is manufactured using TSMC’s second-generation 4nm process, just like the 8400. It employs the same octa-core architecture, consisting of 1 Cortex-X4 core at 3.25 GHz, 3 Cortex-A720 cores at 3.0 GHz, and 4 Cortex-A520 cores at 2.1 GHz.
The graphics processing unit remains the Mali-G720 MC7, clocked at 1300 MHz, with minor optimizations focused on gaming and image signal processing. A notable feature in this new chipset is the StarSpeed Engine, designed to enhance gaming experiences further. MediaTek has also introduced live-stream optimizations in the image signal processing to improve user performance during live events. Furthermore, the Dimensity 8450 incorporates MediaTek’s UltraSave 3.0+, aiming to provide better power efficiency for 5G connectivity compared to its predecessor.
While this chipset is anticipated to appear in various mid-range smartphones soon, the rapid pace of chipset development means that its relevance may be short-lived. Already, the first devices featuring the Dimensity 8450 have been announced, including the upcoming Reno 14 Pro in India, followed by another model from the K series. Overall, the Dimensity 8450 seems to be a stepping stone for MediaTek rather than a groundbreaking advancement, setting the stage for future developments while offering incremental performance improvements for users.