Introduction

The Exynos 2400 vs Dimensity 8500 vs Dimensity 8450 comparison is interesting because these chips belong to different product generations and market positions.

The Exynos 2400 was announced in January 2024 and is classified by NanoReview as a flagship chipset. It uses a 10-core CPU, Samsung’s Xclipse 940 GPU based on RDNA 3, and a 4nm Samsung process. The Dimensity 8500 arrived in January 2026 as a mid-range processor, while the Dimensity 8450 was announced in May 2025 and is also classified as mid-range. Both MediaTek chips use eight Cortex-A725 cores and Mali-G720 graphics.

Quick Answer

The Exynos 2400 is the strongest overall chipset in this NanoReview comparison, scoring 73, compared with 68 for Dimensity 8500 and 67 for Dimensity 8450. It leads in CPU performance and NanoReview gaming performance, while both Dimensity chips have a higher battery score of 91. Dimensity 8500 is the strongest MediaTek option here.

Specification Comparison

NanoReview’s specifications show a major difference in positioning. The Exynos 2400 has the more advanced flagship CPU, display and video configuration, while Dimensity 8500 has the strongest memory subsystem.

CPU Architecture and Performance

Exynos 2400 has the strongest CPU design in this comparison because it combines a Cortex-X4 prime core with nine additional cores and a larger 8MB L3 cache.

The Exynos 2400 uses one Cortex-X4 at 3.21GHz, two Cortex-A720 cores at 2.9GHz, three Cortex-A720 cores at 2.6GHz and four Cortex-A520 efficiency cores at 1.95GHz. NanoReview lists an 8MB L3 cache.

Dimensity 8500 uses eight Cortex-A725 cores: one at 3.4GHz, three at 3.2GHz and four at 2.2GHz. Dimensity 8450 uses the same general arrangement but clocks the groups at 3.25GHz, 3GHz and 2.1GHz. Both have 6MB of L3 cache.

The MediaTek processors are notable because all eight cores are Cortex-A725 performance-oriented cores rather than a traditional flagship arrangement with a Cortex-X prime core and dedicated efficiency cores.

That gives the Dimensity 8500 particularly strong multi-core capability for a mid-range processor, but the Exynos 2400 retains a substantial single-core advantage because of its Cortex-X4.

NanoReview rates CPU performance at 75 for Exynos 2400, 67 for Dimensity 8500 and 66 for Dimensity 8450.

GPU and Gaming

Exynos 2400 has the highest NanoReview gaming rating, but Dimensity 8500 demonstrates that newer Mali graphics can remain highly competitive in specific graphics workloads.

Exynos 2400 uses Samsung’s Xclipse 940, based on AMD RDNA 3, with 768 listed shaders and 3406.8 GFLOPS. Dimensity 8500 uses Mali-G720 MP8 at 1508MHz with 3088.4 GFLOPS, while Dimensity 8450 uses Mali-G720 MP7 at 1300MHz with 2329.6 GFLOPS.

NanoReview gives Exynos 2400 a gaming score of 59, compared with 53 for Dimensity 8500 and 50 for Dimensity 8450.

However, individual 3DMark results are more nuanced. Exynos 2400 scores 1,769 in Steel Nomad Light, compared with 1,467 for Dimensity 8450. In Solar Bay, Exynos reaches 8,302 versus 6,549. Against Dimensity 8500, NanoReview currently lists 3,812 versus 4,058 in Wild Life Extreme, favoring the newer MediaTek chip in that particular test.

The practical conclusion is that Exynos 2400 has the better overall NanoReview gaming rating, but benchmarks can vary by graphics API, workload and driver optimization.

Manufacturing and Efficiency

Dimensity 8500 and Dimensity 8450 tie for the highest NanoReview battery score at 91.

All three processors use 4nm manufacturing. Exynos 2400 is manufactured by Samsung, whereas Dimensity 8500 and 8450 are manufactured by TSMC.

NanoReview gives the Exynos 2400 a battery score of 86, while both Dimensity 8500 and Dimensity 8450 score 91. Therefore, battery efficiency is a tie between the two Dimensity processors according to NanoReview.

The common 4nm node means process technology alone does not explain the difference. Architecture, clock speeds, modem behavior, thermal management, display characteristics and smartphone software all affect actual battery life.

For users primarily focused on endurance, the NanoReview data gives the two Dimensity chips the advantage.

RAM, Memory and Storage

Dimensity 8500 has the strongest memory specification, with 76.8GB/s bandwidth and 4800MHz LPDDR5X.

Exynos 2400 supports LPDDR5X at 4200MHz, reaching 68.2GB/s bandwidth and up to 24GB RAM. Dimensity 8450 uses LPDDR5X at 4266MHz and also reaches 68.2GB/s.

Dimensity 8500 increases memory frequency to 4800MHz and raises maximum bandwidth to 76.8GB/s, a 13% advantage over the other two according to NanoReview’s comparison. All three support up to 24GB RAM.

Storage also favors the newer MediaTek platforms. Exynos 2400 supports UFS 3.1 and UFS 4.0, Dimensity 8500 supports UFS 4.0 and UFS 4.1, while Dimensity 8450 supports UFS 4.0.

For fast storage and memory-heavy workloads, Dimensity 8500 is the strongest specification on paper.

AI and NPU

All three processors have dedicated AI hardware, but the available NanoReview data does not provide an equivalent TOPS figure that allows a reliable numerical AI ranking.

NanoReview lists an NPU for Exynos 2400 and the MediaTek NPU 880 for both Dimensity 8500 and Dimensity 8450.

Because comparable TOPS measurements are not supplied for all three, assigning a definitive AI winner would go beyond the source data.

For real-world AI workloads, software support and model optimization can matter as much as raw accelerator specifications.

Camera, ISP and Video

Exynos 2400 has the strongest video-recording capability in this comparison.

All three chipsets support up to 320MP camera hardware in NanoReview’s specifications. Dimensity 8500 and Dimensity 8450 additionally list support for three 32MP cameras, while Exynos 2400 lists one 320MP camera.

The major difference is video. Exynos 2400 supports 8K at 30fps and 4K at 120fps, whereas both MediaTek processors are listed at 4K60 maximum capture.

That makes Exynos 2400 the clear specification winner for high-resolution video recording.

Maximum sensor resolution should not be confused with actual camera quality. Image processing, sensor selection, stabilization, HDR and phone-level camera tuning remain essential.

Display and Connectivity

Exynos 2400 has the strongest connectivity and display specification in this group.

NanoReview lists maximum display support of 3840×2400 for Exynos 2400, compared with 2960×1440 for both Dimensity 8500 and Dimensity 8450.

The biggest connectivity difference is the modem. Exynos 2400’s Exynos 5400 modem supports up to 12.1Gbps download and 3.67Gbps upload, while both Dimensity processors are listed at 5.17Gbps maximum download.

All three support Wi-Fi 6. Bluetooth is 5.3 on Exynos 2400 and 6.0 on both Dimensity chips.

Therefore, Exynos has the stronger cellular specification, while MediaTek offers the newer Bluetooth version.

Benchmark Comparison

The benchmark results show that Exynos 2400 has stronger CPU performance, while Dimensity 8500 takes the AnTuTu 11 lead despite its lower overall NanoReview score.

NanoReview’s current AnTuTu 11 data places Dimensity 8500 first at 2,120,347, followed by Exynos 2400 at 2,046,435 and Dimensity 8450 at 2,016,572.

The CPU benchmarks tell a different story. Exynos 2400 reaches 2,115 single-core and 6,826 multi-core in Geekbench 6, compared with 1,555/6,405 for Dimensity 8500 and 1,612/6,210 for Dimensity 8450.

This is an important distinction: AnTuTu measures a broader combination of CPU, GPU, memory and UX performance, while Geekbench focuses heavily on CPU performance. That is why a processor can win one benchmark but lose another.

Real-World Performance

Exynos 2400 is the better choice for demanding CPU workloads, gaming-oriented flagship phones and advanced video features, while Dimensity 8500 is better suited to efficient performance-focused mid-range devices.

For CPU-heavy applications, Exynos 2400’s Cortex-X4-based architecture provides a meaningful advantage. The processor also combines its stronger CPU with a capable Xclipse 940 GPU, high-end video support and a powerful modem.

Dimensity 8500 is more balanced around efficient sustained performance. Its Cortex-A725 configuration, 4800MHz LPDDR5X and 76.8GB/s memory bandwidth make it particularly interesting for modern mid-range phones where high performance and battery endurance are both priorities.

Dimensity 8450 is slightly behind 8500 but remains close. Its biggest advantage is efficiency, where its NanoReview battery score matches the newer 8500 at 91. Its lower CPU clock, MP7 GPU and 68.2GB/s bandwidth explain its lower overall position.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Exynos 2400

Strengths

• Highest overall NanoReview score
• Strongest CPU rating
• Strongest gaming rating
• Cortex-X4 flagship CPU architecture
• Xclipse 940 RDNA 3 GPU
• 320MP camera support
• 8K30 and 4K120 video
• 12.1Gbps 5G download
• 3840×2400 maximum display
• 8MB L3 cache

Weaknesses

• Lower battery score than both Dimensity chips
• Lower memory bandwidth than Dimensity 8500
• Bluetooth 5.3
• Older than both MediaTek rivals

Dimensity 8500

Strengths

• Highest AnTuTu 11 score
• 76.8GB/s memory bandwidth
• 4800MHz LPDDR5X
• UFS 4.0/UFS 4.1
• 24GB maximum RAM
• 91 battery score
• Mali-G720 MP8
• Bluetooth 6.0
• Newer 2026 platform

Weaknesses

• Lower CPU rating than Exynos 2400
• Lower NanoReview gaming score
• 4K60 maximum video capture
• 5.17Gbps listed 5G download

Dimensity 8450

Strengths

• 91 battery score
• 24GB maximum RAM
• UFS 4.0
• Bluetooth 6.0
• 320MP camera support
• Efficient 4nm TSMC design

Weaknesses

• Lowest overall score of the three
• Lowest gaming rating
• Lowest AnTuTu 11 result
• Lower GPU configuration than Dimensity 8500
• Lower memory bandwidth than Dimensity 8500

Best Processor for Different Users

Final Verdict and Ranking

Exynos 2400 is the overall winner, Dimensity 8500 takes second place, and Dimensity 8450 ranks third.

#1 Exynos 2400

The Exynos 2400 wins this comparison because NanoReview gives it the highest overall score at 73, along with the highest CPU score of 75 and gaming score of 59. Its flagship CPU architecture, Xclipse 940 GPU, 8K video capability and faster modem also give it the broadest high-end feature set.

Its main weakness is efficiency: its battery score of 86 is lower than the 91 scores of both MediaTek processors.

#2 Dimensity 8500

The Dimensity 8500 is the strongest MediaTek processor in this matchup. It has a NanoReview score of 68, but its AnTuTu 11 score of 2,120,347 actually exceeds Exynos 2400’s 2,046,435. It also provides the highest memory bandwidth at 76.8GB/s, newer UFS 4.1 support and a 91 battery score.

For a modern performance-oriented mid-range smartphone, Dimensity 8500 is arguably the most balanced option of the two MediaTek chips.

#3 Dimensity 8450

The Dimensity 8450 ranks third with a NanoReview score of 67. It remains a capable processor and shares the 91 battery rating of Dimensity 8500, but its lower CPU clock, Mali-G720 MP7 GPU and 68.2GB/s memory bandwidth leave it behind the 8500.

The gap is not enormous, though. Its Geekbench 6 results remain respectable, and its efficient design makes it a strong choice for upper-mid-range phones.

Winner Summary

Final Ranking

1. Exynos 2400
2. MediaTek Dimensity 8500
3. MediaTek Dimensity 8450

The most important takeaway is that Exynos 2400 remains the stronger overall chipset despite being older. Dimensity 8500 is the more interesting newer mid-range alternative, especially because of its efficiency, memory bandwidth and AnTuTu performance. Dimensity 8450 follows closely and makes the most sense where efficiency matters more than maximum performance.

Source: NanoReview processor pages and current comparison data, checked October 4, 2026.