The MediaTek Dimensity 1000C and MediaTek Helio G99 Ultra were introduced for different smartphone categories and reflect MediaTek's evolving processor roadmap. Released in September 2020, the Dimensity 1000C is manufactured on TSMC's 7nm process and targets premium 5G smartphones with four Cortex-A77 performance cores, a Mali-G57 MC5 GPU, and an integrated 5G modem. The Helio G99 Ultra entered commercial devices in January 2024, using a more efficient TSMC 6nm process for upper budget 4G smartphones. It combines two Cortex-A76 performance cores, a Mali-G57 MC2 GPU, and improved power efficiency to deliver responsive everyday performance, smoother multitasking, enhanced battery life, and consistent thermal behaviour during prolonged gaming, video streaming, and productivity workloads.
General
The MediaTek Dimensity 1000C and MediaTek Helio G99 Ultra differ significantly in market positioning, connectivity, and manufacturing technology. The Dimensity 1000C was designed for premium 5G smartphones and integrates MediaTek's first-generation flagship 5G modem, making it suitable for high-speed streaming, cloud gaming, and low-latency communication. The Helio G99 Ultra focuses on affordable smartphones with efficient 4G connectivity, lower power consumption, and improved thermal management, making it well suited for daily communication, social media, entertainment, and extended battery life.
| General specification | MediaTek Dimensity 1000C | MediaTek Helio G99 Ultra |
|---|
| Launch date | 3 September 2020 | January 2024 |
| Processor generation | Premium 5G | Upper-mid-range 4G |
| Target devices | Premium smartphones | Budget and mid-range smartphones |
| Manufacturing process | TSMC 7nm | TSMC 6nm |
| CPU architecture | 64-bit | 64-bit |
| Network support | 5G SA/NSA, 4G LTE | 4G LTE |
| Model number | MT6885Z | MT6789 Ultra |
CPU
Both processors feature an octa-core CPU but employ different core layouts to address distinct smartphone workloads. The Dimensity 1000C uses four Cortex-A77 performance cores alongside four Cortex-A55 efficiency cores, enabling sustained performance during demanding gaming, 4K video editing, AI image processing, and intensive multitasking. The Helio G99 Ultra combines two Cortex-A76 performance cores with six Cortex-A55 efficiency cores, prioritising balanced responsiveness, faster app launches, smoother social media usage, video conferencing, and efficient everyday multitasking while reducing heat generation through its newer 6nm fabrication process.
| CPU specification | MediaTek Dimensity 1000C | MediaTek Helio G99 Ultra |
|---|
| CPU design | Octa-core | Octa-core |
| Performance cores | 4 × Cortex-A77 @ 2.0GHz | 2 × Cortex-A76 @ 2.2GHz |
| Efficiency cores | 4 × Cortex-A55 @ 2.0GHz | 6 × Cortex-A55 @ 2.0GHz |
| Highest clock speed | 2.0GHz | 2.2GHz |
| Instruction set | ARMv8-A | ARMv8.2-A |
| Manufacturing node | TSMC 7nm | TSMC 6nm |
| 64-bit support | Yes | Yes |
Graphics
Graphics capabilities reflect the different smartphone segments these processors target. The Dimensity 1000C integrates the Mali-G57 MC5 GPU, providing additional graphics resources for demanding games such as BGMI, Call of Duty Mobile, and Genshin Impact while supporting smoother HDR rendering and advanced visual effects. The Helio G99 Ultra uses the Mali-G57 MC2 GPU, focusing on efficient graphics processing for casual gaming, Full HD video playback, social media editing, and longer gaming sessions with lower power consumption and stable thermal performance.
| Graphics specification | MediaTek Dimensity 1000C | MediaTek Helio G99 Ultra |
|---|
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC5 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| GPU architecture | Valhall | Valhall |
| GPU cores | 5 | 2 |
| Maximum frequency | Up to 850MHz | Up to 1.0GHz |
| Vulkan API | Vulkan 1.1 | Vulkan 1.1 |
| OpenGL ES | 3.2 | 3.2 |
| OpenCL | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| DirectX | 12 | 12 |
| Display capability | QHD+ @ 90Hz | Full HD+ @ 120Hz |
| Gaming optimisation | MediaTek HyperEngine 2.0 | MediaTek HyperEngine 2.0 Lite |
Memory
Both processors support LPDDR4X memory, but their memory subsystems are optimised for different smartphone experiences. The Dimensity 1000C provides higher memory bandwidth through a wider interface, allowing quicker application switching, improved AI computation, faster image processing, and smoother multitasking during gaming and video editing. The Helio G99 Ultra focuses on responsive everyday performance with efficient LPDDR4X memory and UFS 2.2 storage, enabling faster application loading, shorter installation times, and improved overall system responsiveness.
| Memory specification | MediaTek Dimensity 1000C | MediaTek Helio G99 Ultra |
|---|
| Memory technology | LPDDR4X | LPDDR4X |
| Maximum frequency | 2133MHz | 2133MHz |
| Memory interface | 4 × 16-bit | 2 × 16-bit |
| Maximum bandwidth | 34.1GB/s | 17GB/s |
| Maximum RAM | 16GB | 12GB |
| Storage support | UFS 2.2 | UFS 2.2 |
| eMMC support | 5.1 | 5.1 |
Multimedia
The MediaTek Dimensity 1000C and MediaTek Helio G99 Ultra integrate capable image signal processors (ISPs) designed for different smartphone categories. The Dimensity 1000C supports higher-resolution camera sensors, multi-camera processing, and advanced AI-powered imaging, enabling detailed HDR photography, portrait shots, 4K video recording, and improved noise reduction. The Helio G99 Ultra focuses on efficient image processing for upper-budget smartphones, delivering responsive camera performance, AI scene recognition, Full HD and 2K video capture, and smooth content creation while maintaining lower power consumption for extended photography and video recording sessions.
| Multimedia specification | MediaTek Dimensity 1000C | MediaTek Helio G99 Ultra |
|---|
| Image processor | MediaTek Imagiq 5.0 ISP | MediaTek Imagiq ISP |
| Maximum camera | 80MP | 200MP |
| Multi-camera support | Dual 32MP + 16MP | Dual camera support |
| Maximum video recording | 4K @ 60fps | 2K @ 30fps |
| Maximum display resolution | QHD+ | Full HD+ |
| Maximum refresh rate | 90Hz | 120Hz |
| Video codecs | H.264, H.265 (HEVC), VP9, AV1 decode | H.264, H.265 (HEVC), VP9 |
| Audio codecs | AAC, LDAC, aptX HD, AI audio enhancements | AAC, LDAC, aptX, AI audio enhancements |
Connectivity and network
Connectivity is one of the biggest differences between the MediaTek Dimensity 1000C and MediaTek Helio G99 Ultra. The Dimensity 1000C integrates an advanced 5G modem supporting both standalone (SA) and non-standalone (NSA) networks with theoretical download speeds of up to 2.3Gbps, making it suitable for cloud gaming, ultra-high-definition video streaming, and low-latency online gaming. The Helio G99 Ultra is a 4G-focused chipset that relies on LTE connectivity while incorporating Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.2, and multi-constellation navigation for stable wireless performance, faster location tracking, and efficient battery usage during everyday browsing, streaming, video calls, and navigation.
| Connectivity specification | MediaTek Dimensity 1000C | MediaTek Helio G99 Ultra |
|---|
| 5G modem | Integrated MediaTek 5G modem | Not supported |
| 5G compatibility | SA and NSA | Not applicable |
| Maximum download speed | Up to 2.3Gbps | Up to 600Mbps (4G LTE) |
| Maximum upload speed | Up to 1.25Gbps | Up to 150Mbps (4G LTE) |
| Dual SIM | Dual 5G SIM | Dual 4G SIM |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Navigation | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, NavIC | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, NavIC |