NEW DELHI: MediaTek is strengthening its premium SoC lineup with advanced features like AI, powerful cores, and gaming optimizations, exemplified by the Dimensity 9300 and 9400 platforms. In an interaction with the PageOne Asia,   Anku Jain, Managing Director, MediaTek India speaks on mediaTek's premium chipset expansion, enhancing 5G connectivity and growth in Indian market.

How is MediaTek growing its market share in the Indian smartphone industry, and what key factors have contributed to this performance?

According to Counterpoint, India overtook the US in 5G shipments in the first half of the year (H1), becoming the second-largest 5G handset market. Among the top five countries, India experienced the fastest growth. 5G handset shipments have been increasing steadily, and with the rise of affordable 5G handsets in the budget segment, emerging markets have seen high growth in this area. In India, the surge in telecom services has been notable, with widespread adoption of affordable 4G and 5G networks driving rapid digitization across the country. This, in turn, has fueled smartphone sales, especially in the highly competitive mainstream market, which sees hundreds of new smartphone releases each year.

This market segment is the most accessible for the majority of consumers. Consumers in emerging markets are increasingly viewing 5G handsets as an upgrade to their existing devices, even in the lower price segments. For customers looking to spend under Rs 10,000 on their first Android smartphone, MediaTek powers numerous devices with the mainstream Dimensity 6000 series, offering them capable 5G smartphones at this price point. Our latest MediaTek Dimensity 9400 integrates a second-generation All-Big Core design, along with industry-leading AI, computing, gaming, and photography capabilities. For those seeking a flagship experience, our MediaTek Dimensity 8300 or Dimensity 9200+ powered premium smartphones deliver unmatched performance and impeccable connectivity features, such as support for 3CC CA and compliance with both SA and NSA 5G networks.

How is MediaTek working to expand its chipset market share in the premium 5G device segment in India?

MediaTek is strengthening its premium SoCs with advanced technologies. MediaTek SoCs are known for their exceptionally powerful big cores and dedicated NPUs that accelerate AI workloads. For instance, the MediaTek Dimensity 8000 series is designed using the ultra-efficient TSMC N4 (4nm-class) and N5 (5nm-class) production processes. The Dimensity 8300, in particular, powers a range of premium mid-range handsets and offers on-device generative AI capabilities, fast connectivity, powerful Cortex-A715 cores, and is backed by MediaTek Adaptive Game Technology (MAGT) for extraordinary gaming experiences. Our flagship MediaTek Dimensity 9300 platform is optimized for Google's Large Language Model Gemini Nano for on-device Gen AI computing and features an innovative All-Big core cluster for unmatched performance.We have also recently launched the successor to the Dimensity 9300, the MediaTek Dimensity 9400. This platform, among other features, supports the fastest LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage, and includes the world’s first goal-oriented Agentic AI to accelerate performance-driven workloads.

How do you differentiate MediaTek from its competitors in the budget smartphone segment?

India is a price-sensitive market, and MediaTek is working to offer even more affordable 5G experiences in the future. The next phase of growth is expected to come from rural markets as technology becomes more accessible at the grassroots level. MediaTek’s strategic focus on 5G technology has positioned it as a key player in the democratization of high-speed connectivity, especially in the budget segment, without compromising on quality. MediaTek has established itself as a leading player in this category with chipsets from the Dimensity 6000 series, such as the MediaTek Dimensity 6300. These chipsets deliver premium features—including exceptional power efficiency, vivid displays, high frame rates, AI-powered camera technologies, leading low power consumption, and reliable Sub-6 5G connectivity—at an accessible price point.

A few of our latest budget smartphones include the Tecno Spark 30C with MediaTek Dimensity 6300, Infinix Hot 50 5G powered by MediaTek Dimensity 6300, Realme Narzo 70X powered by MediaTek Dimensity 6100+, Samsung Galaxy M15 5G powered by MediaTek Dimensity 6100+, Poco M7 Pro 5G powered by MediaTek Dimensity 7025 Ultra, and Vivo T3 Lite powered by MediaTek Dimensity 6300, among others.
Moreover, MediaTek’s chipsets support both SA (Standalone) and NSA (Non-Standalone) bands, rather than just one, offering consumers more comprehensive coverage and greater flexibility when choosing a telecom provider. Notably, MediaTek Dimensity chipsets support 13 bands, including sub-6GHz and mmWave 5G bands, ensuring broader coverage.

What are the major reasons that have helped MediaTek increase its market share and dominate the Indian smartphone chipset market for sub-Rs 30,000 5G phones?

MediaTek’s leadership in India’s smartphone market is a result of its dedication to innovation, affordability, and accessibility. According to a Counterpoint report, MediaTek powered 64% of all 5G smartphones under the Rs 30,000 price band in India in the first half of 2024 (H1 2024). By equipping OEMs with advanced chipsets and delivering a seamless, high-performance 5G experience, MediaTek has established itself as a frontrunner in this space.
We have placed particular emphasis on ensuring that our mainstream chipsets support premium features, such as 10-bit displays with impressive refresh rates, high-resolution camera sensors, fast memory and storage, and powerful performance cores. At the same time, our chipsets are built on industry-leading process nodes, ensuring unmatched efficiency when handling demanding tasks like gaming. Our chipsets also provide an uncompromised 5G experience by supporting 4×4 MIMO technology, allowing smartphones to leverage four antennas for four simultaneous data streams, compared to the two antennas used in 2×2 MIMO.
We also offer best-in-class connectivity features, including support for carrier aggregation and multiple antennas, ensuring excellent network coverage. Thanks to our innovative technologies and an extensive portfolio that spans devices priced from under Rs 10,000 to Rs 1 lakh, we are effectively capturing the market with value-for-money products. A recent study by CMR highlights our strong presence in the Indian smartphone market. Not only do we lead in market share, but we also have a competitive edge in brand salience and awareness among Gen Alpha.