Over the weekend, Qualcomm quietly launched its latest mid-range chipset, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3. This new 4nm processor replaces the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, bringing significant enhancements to the table.
When placed side by side against the Snapdragon 6 Gen1, Qualcomm claims that the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 features 10% improved CPU performance, 30% better GPU performance, and a 20% hike in AI performance.
Advanced AI Capabilities
The Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 shines in its improved AI performance. Users can expect enhanced experiences in tasks such as activity tracking and noise cancellation during calls.
CPU Architecture and Performance
At its core, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 bears a striking resemblance to the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, with some notable differences.
The chipset boasts an octa-core CPU configuration, featuring four Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.4 GHz and four Cortex-A55 cores at 1.8 GHz.
Also Read: OPPO Reno12 F 5G review
While this matches the architecture of the 7s Gen 2, the efficiency cores in the 6 Gen 3 run at a slightly lower clock speed compared to its counterpart’s 1.95 GHz.
Display and Graphics
In terms of display support, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 can handle Full HD+ resolution with a 120 Hz refresh rate. This is a slight step down from the 7s Gen 2’s 144 Hz capability but still offers smooth visuals for most users.
The chipset incorporates an Adreno 710 GPU, ensuring decent graphics performance for mid-range devices.
Memory and Storage
Flexibility in memory support is a key feature of the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3. It’s compatible with both LPDDR4X and the newer LPDDR5 RAM standards, allowing manufacturers to optimize costs and performance.
However, storage support is limited to UFS 3.1, which still offers fast read and write speeds for most applications.
Connectivity Features
The Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 doesn’t skimp on connectivity. It includes support for Bluetooth 5.2 and Wi-Fi 6E, ensuring that devices equipped with this chipset can take advantage of modern wireless technologies.
Camera Capabilities
The chipset can handle a single 48 MP sensor for continuous reads, dual 32 MP and 16 MP sensors, or impressive 200 MP photo capture.
This versatility allows smartphone manufacturers to implement various camera configurations to suit different market segments.
Availability
Interestingly, Qualcomm has chosen a low-key approach for this launch, forgoing an official press release. As a result, the timeline for the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3’s availability to OEMs remains uncertain.
This quiet introduction may indicate Qualcomm’s strategy to gradually phase in the new chipset, possibly allowing manufacturers time to integrate it into their upcoming mid-range smartphone designs.
Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 Specification
- CPU structure: Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 comes with four Cortex-A78 performance cores clocked at 2.4GHz and four Cortex-A55 efficiency cores running at 1.8GHz.
- Architecture: The Qualcomm chip is fabricated using a 4nm manufacturing process.
- Memory: The chip supports up to 12GB LPDDR5 RAM with 3.2GHz speed and UFS 3.1 storage.
- Graphics: The graphics will be handled by an Adreno 720 GPU. It supports APIs like OpenGL ES 3.2, Vulkan 1.1, and OpenCL 2.0.
- AI support: There is Snapdragon Hexagon powered low-energy, on-device edge-AI.
- 5G support: The 5G connectivity is enabled by a Snapdragon 5G Modem-RF System with up to 2.9Gbps speed. There is support for mmWave, sub-6GHz, and Global 5G Multi-SIM.
- Other connectivity options: You also get other IO options like 6GHz Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, Bluetooth LE, LTE, NFC, USB-C, NavIC, and GPS (L1, L5).
- Charging support: Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 works with Quick Charge 4+ technology.
- Multimedia support: This one has FHD+ 120Hz display support and 4K30 fps video playback.
- Camera support: Qualcomm has equipped the chip with up to 200MP primary rear camera setup backed by Qualcomm Spectra ISP, Staggered HDR, 720p @240fps, and H.265 (High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC).
- Miscellaneous: Other Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 features include Snapdragon Sound Technology Suite (for low latency gaming, lossless music, and Spatial Audio) and Snapdragon Elite Gaming (Variable Rate Shading or rendering quality for different regions of an image, low touch latency, and enhanced colours).
