In a move that’s raising eyebrows and causing confusion, Qualcomm has recently unveiled the Snapdragon 6s Gen 3. However, this supposedly “new” chipset is essentially a rebranded version of the Snapdragon 695 5G, a processor that was initially launched back in 2021 and powered the likes of Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G and Oppo A98 5G, among other aging phones.
This rebranding strategy is particularly perplexing given the current state of the chipset market. While competitors are transitioning to 4nm chipsets, Qualcomm’s latest offering is still based on an older 6nm process. The 6s Gen 3 boasts the same SM6375 part number as the Snapdragon 695, further solidifying its status as a rehashed product.
The rebranded chipset features a slightly faster clock speed compared to its predecessor but shares identical CPU, GPU, RAM, and storage configurations. This means that the Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 will likely offer comparable performance to the 695, a far cry from the advancements expected in 2024.
Motorola’s upcoming Moto G85 is slated to be the first device to utilize the 6s Gen 3. Ironically, Motorola already has a range of smartphones powered by the original Snapdragon 695, making this move even more baffling.
Qualcomm’s decision to rebrand a three-year-old chipset and position it as a new product in 2024 raises concerns about its commitment to innovation and transparency. This tactic, while potentially beneficial for marketing purposes, ultimately misleads consumers and hinders their ability to make informed purchasing decisions.
With how fast the mobile tech space is moving, Qualcomm’s rebranding efforts risk alienating consumers who expect genuine advancements with each new generation of chipsets. Whether this strategy will prove successful in the long run remains to be seen. But if you find yourself using a phone powered by the Snapdragon 6s Gen 3, know that you’re essentially using a chipset equipped with 3-year-old mobile tech and not the latest version available today.
