Barcelona, Spain – OPPO and MediaTek are showcasing significant advancements in on-device artificial intelligence at Mobile World Congress 2026, signaling a shift towards more private, efficient, and responsive AI experiences on smartphones. The collaboration centers around a new “Omni” model designed to process voice, text, and video directly on the device, eliminating the demand for cloud connectivity and bolstering user privacy. This development promises to redefine how mobile devices interact with the physical world, offering real-time comprehension and interactive capabilities.
The push for on-device AI is driven by a desire to move beyond the limitations of cloud-based solutions, which can suffer from latency issues and raise concerns about data security. Both companies are prioritizing solutions that deliver cloud-like performance while keeping data secure on the user’s device. This strategy, dubbed “on-device compute,” is central to OPPO’s broader AI strategy encompassing “New Computing, New Perception, and New Ecosystem,” according to Jason Liao, President of the OPPO Research Institute.
At the heart of this advancement is the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chipset, which powers OPPO’s newly developed on-device AI Translate and AI Portrait Glow features. These features, slated for release in the OPPO Locate X9 Series via the ColorOS 16 software update, are demonstrating performance comparable to their cloud-based counterparts. The Dimensity 9500’s architecture, featuring a third-generation All-Big-Core CPU, delivers up to 32% higher single-core performance and 17% higher multi-core performance compared to the previous generation, while reducing peak power consumption by up to 55%, according to OPPO’s official announcement.
AI Translate and Portrait Enhancements
OPPO’s AI Translate, running directly on the device, has reportedly achieved a 15% improvement in accuracy over conventional translation methods, offering seamless multilingual translation even without an internet connection. This capability is particularly valuable in scenarios with limited or unreliable network access. The AI Portrait Glow feature utilizes real-time analysis and reconstruction of lighting to enhance portrait photography in challenging conditions, such as low light or high-contrast environments.
The MediaTek Dimensity 9500 also incorporates the Arm G1-Ultra GPU, providing up to 33% higher graphics performance and 42% better power efficiency, enabling console-grade ray tracing. OPPO has further optimized the chipset with its Trinity Engine to maximize efficiency and performance. A customized cooling system within the OPPO Find X9 Series ensures stable performance during demanding graphical tasks, as detailed by OPPO.
The Omni Model: A New Approach to AI
The Omni model, jointly developed by OPPO and MediaTek, is being touted as the first full-modal AI system for mobile devices. Unlike traditional AI systems that focus on single input types, Omni can process and interpret voice, text, and video simultaneously, allowing it to understand scenes and respond to questions dynamically without relying on remote servers. This represents a significant step towards greater autonomy and privacy in personal data management.
Liao emphasized that on-device compute transforms AI from a remote function into a “perceptible, accessible, and useful” tool in everyday life by reducing latency and eliminating external connection dependencies. This approach aligns with a growing consumer demand for privacy and responsiveness in AI applications.
Looking Ahead
The collaboration between OPPO and MediaTek signals a broader industry trend towards prioritizing on-device AI processing. This shift is expected to drive innovation in mobile applications, creating a more personalized and secure user experience. As the technology matures, we can anticipate further advancements in areas such as real-time language translation, intelligent image processing, and contextual awareness. The focus on efficient, on-device AI is poised to reshape the future of mobile computing, offering a compelling alternative to cloud-dependent solutions.
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