The 2-nm Mediatek Dimensity 9600 processor will also receive a copper heatsink like the Exynos 2600
The lithography industry is facing hard times - Moore's Law has started to stall, and technology is approaching the physical limits of silicon. To ensure performance gains every year, manufacturers are increasing the crystal area and raising frequencies, but this is a road to nowhere - the increase in heat generation must somehow be overcome in the cramped body of a smartphone.
Not much is known about the Mediatek Dimensity 2600 processor (Dimensity 9500 is yet to be announced), except that it will be the first 2-nm processor from Mediatek. It will be manufactured at TSMC fabs, and the announcement is expected in the second half of 2026.
An official promotional image of Mediatek Dimensity 9600 has been posted on the Chinese social network Weibo, which clearly shows a massive radiator. The text of the post states that Mediatek and TSMC have recently completed the finalisation of the Dimensity 9600 design, meaning that the processor architecture has been defined, the first engineering samples will be produced soon (at this stage, only minor design changes are occasionally made when critical issues are identified), and then a long process of bringing their functionality to a stable state at operating frequencies will take place.
Context.
Not so long ago, Samsung went through exactly the same rake. In the summer, the manufacturer faced the problem that their own 2-nm manufacturing process was unable to ensure stable operation of the upcoming Exynos 2600 without overheating. After that, in July, there were reports that the manufacturer Galaxy S26: Exynos 2600 gets new HPB technology to combat overheating into the top of the processor to dissipate heat. The Exynos 2600 may be the first 2-nm chip and is due to be released in January 2026 in the Galaxy S26 line.
Apple does not work on magic either. The recently announced iPhone 17 Pro has a 3nm A19 Pro processor made by TSMC, which has a huge camera with de-ionised water to dissipate heat. The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are likely to become the most mass-produced liquid-cooled smartphones in the world. Such are the times.
Source: m.weibo.cn
