MediaTek is stepping into the 2nm era. The company has confirmed that its next MediaTek flagship SoC has been taped out using TSMC’s 2nm process, with mass production set to begin in 2026.
MediaTek flagship SoC marks early adoption of 2nm
Announced on September 16, the development puts MediaTek among the first companies to adopt TSMC’s 2nm technology. This chip, still unnamed, will be ready for mass production by the end of 2026 and is expected to debut across mobile, computing, automotive, and even data center markets.
The announcement also highlights the deep collaboration between MediaTek and TSMC, a partnership that has already driven some of the most competitive chip platforms in the world.
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MediaTek flagship SoC gains from nanosheet transistor structure
TSMC’s 2nm node introduces a nanosheet transistor design, replacing the FinFET structures used in earlier generations. This change enables:
- 1.2x logic density increase over N3E
- Up to 18% performance uplift at the same power
- Around 36% lower power use at the same speed
These improvements give the upcoming MediaTek flagship SoC a stronger balance between performance and efficiency, crucial for power-hungry markets like AI PCs and high-end smartphones.
MediaTek flagship SoC may connect to NVIDIA partnership
The company has not revealed which segment this SoC will first target, though the “flagship” designation hints at something larger than a smartphone chip. MediaTek and NVIDIA have already collaborated on the GB10 Grace Blackwell Superchip, and rumors point to further joint efforts around AI PCs.
With NVIDIA’s N1X and N1 SoCs still unannounced, speculation suggests this MediaTek flagship SoC could play a role in a wider rollout timed for 2026.
TSMC 2nm process brings industry-wide momentum
MediaTek isn’t the only company banking on TSMC’s next node. AMD is reportedly preparing to use 2nm for its Zen 6 CPUs, while NVIDIA looks to move beyond 3nm in upcoming AI accelerators. The shift from 3nm to 2nm represents not just incremental gains, but a substantial leap in both energy efficiency and raw performance.
MediaTek flagship SoC expected timeline
If roadmaps hold, MediaTek will showcase more details either at Computex 2026 or NVIDIA’s GTC 2026, should the rumored collaboration materialize. Mass production by late 2026 puts consumer and enterprise availability in the same window, suggesting that the SoC’s debut will be part of a coordinated high-profile launch.
