MediaTek will power a ‘premium’ Android phone in the US this year

MediaTek is usually known for powering cheap devices, but the company has been building up some really good high-end chipsets too and, finally, it sounds like one of those chips will power a “premium” Android phone in the US market.

When MediaTek chipsets are used in the United States, they’re typically found in lesser devices. For instance, the Helio G99 powers Samsung’s Galaxy A15, and the Dimensity 7020 powers the Moto G Power (2024). In fact, MediaTek powers more Android phones in the US than Qualcomm does.

But, in the flagship market, Qualcomm dominates.

The only notable device sold in the US with a “top shelf” MediaTek processor is the OnePlus Pad, which launched in 2023 with a Dimensity 9000 under the hood.

That’s set to change this year, though.

At an analyst conference ongoing today, MediaTek confirmed that a “premium segment” Android smartphone will launch in the US later this year with one of the company’s chips inside.

There’s no word on what this device will be or what chip it will be using, though. Logical guesses could include a OnePlus foldable (the Oppo Find N3 Flip runs on a Dimensity 9200 chip) or perhaps a device from Motorola. Regardless of what it is, though, it’s a long-overdue debut for the chipmaker, and something to look forward to. The MediaTek Dimensity 9300 that launched last year was quite the powerhouse.

We’ll likely hear more about this expansion later on this year.

Follow Ben: Twitter/X, Threads, and Instagram

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.