You might be wondering why we’re suddenly comparing the Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 to a three-year-old CPU, the Snapdragon 695.
Well, Qualcomm quietly launched the Snapdragon 6s Gen 3, which was intended to be an improvement over the SD 6 Gen 1.
However, the reality is quite disappointing.
Instead of an upgrade, the SD 6s Gen 3 turns out to be a significant downgrade and bears striking similarities to the SD 695.
That’s why we’re dipping into the Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 vs. 695 comparison to uncover how Qualcomm’s confusing naming convention has misled us.
Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 vs. 695 Comparison
| Details | Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch Date | June 2024 | October 2021 |
| Model number | SM6375-AC (For 5G), SM-6370 (For 4G) | SM6375 |
| Process | 6nm TSMC | 6nm TSMC |
| CPU | Two Cortex-A78 @ 2.3GHz, Six Cortex-A55 @ 2.0GHz | Two Cortex-A78 @ 2.2GHz, Six Cortex-A55 @ 1.8GHz |
| Cores | 8 | 8 |
| Instruction set | ARMv8.2-A | ARMv8.2-A |
| TDP | 4W | 4W |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 619 |
| GPU Architecture | Adreno 600 | Adreno 600 |
| Execution units | 2 | 2 |
| Total shaders | 256 | 256 |
| Neural processor (NPU) | Hexagon | Hexagon 686 |
| Memory | LPDDR4X | LPDDR4X |
| Memory frequency | 2133 MHz | 2133 MHz |
| Max size | 12GB | 12GB |
| Storage type | UFS 2.2 | UFS 2.2 |
| Max display resolution | 2520 x 1080 | 2520 x 1080 |
| Max camera resolution | 108MP | One 108MP or Two 16MP |
| Video recording | 1080p@60fps | 1080p@60fps |
| Modem | Snapdragon X51 | Snapdragon X51 |
| 4G | LTE Cat. 18 | LTE Cat. 18 |
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | 5 | 5 |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.2 |
As you can see, there’s little to distinguish between the SD 6s Gen 3 and SD 695, aside from slightly higher frequencies in the SD 6s Gen 3 cores.
However, it’s important to note that this frequency difference isn’t substantial enough to qualify as an upgrade. It ranges from just 100 MHz to 200 MHz, translating to a real-world speed difference of approximately 5% to 7%.
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The Reason Behind Qualcomm’s Confusing Naming
The clear motive behind Qualcomm’s confusing naming strategy is profitability. What could be more lucrative than rebranding three to four-year-old CPUs with new names?
In 2021, Qualcomm promised that their CPU names would become more understandable for consumers with the launch of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. However, things have taken a different turn.
Now, Qualcomm’s CPU naming conventions have become so convoluted that consumers often need to double-check to determine if a newly launched CPU is truly an upgrade or just a renamed version of an older model.
There have been numerous instances where Qualcomm has misled consumers by launching older CPUs under different names.
What’s more concerning is that this practice isn’t a one-time occurrence; Qualcomm continues to re-launch the same CPUs multiple times under varying names.
For example, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 resembles the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1, which is essentially identical to the Snapdragon 695.
What should we call these tactics? Perhaps nothing short of profit-driven maneuvers.
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How Confusing Names Are Fooling Us
When the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 was launched, it gained attention for its impressive performance at an affordable price point.
However, there were no Snapdragon 6 Gen 2 smartphones, nor did we see a Snapdragon 6s Gen 2. Suddenly, the company introduced the Snapdragon 6s Gen 3.
Naturally, one would expect it to be an upgrade over previous generations. After all, by numerical sequence, the 6 Gen 1 is older than the 6s Gen 3.
Unfortunately, it turns out to be a rebranded version of an even older CPU, significantly weaker than the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1. This leads to confusion and disappointment.
Consumers who are unaware of these tactics may believe they’ve purchased a phone with a new and powerful CPU. Discovering the truth later can be disillusioning.
Neither Qualcomm nor smartphone companies disclose this information willingly; otherwise, who would buy their newly launched phones?
These naming strategies are intended to deceive consumers into believing they’re getting new and improved CPUs with their latest devices.
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Our Thoughts
We’re well aware of the power and capability of Qualcomm CPUs, particularly in leading the market with their use in top-tier flagship smartphones.
While confusion has already begun in the flagship lineup, it’s becoming increasingly problematic in the budget and mid-range segments.
Increasing core speeds by just 100 to 200 MHz and rebranding the entire CPU under a new name seems unnecessary. Such minor speed adjustments typically don’t significantly enhance performance enough to justify a new CPU designation.
We’re deeply disappointed by this approach, especially from a prominent brand that resorts to such tactics with its loyal consumers.
What are your thoughts on these confusing naming practices by CPU manufacturers? Feel free to share your opinions.
Also, check out the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 vs 7 Gen 3 comparison.
Basically everytime Qualcomm adds an S assume it is an overclocked ( at the cost of power) lower tier SoC that has benchmarks just meeting/beating the upper tier.
6s –> 4XX
7s –> 6XX
8s –> 7XX
The + denotes a foundary shift on the same process node for better perf/watt
8 gen 1 (SLSI)–> 8 gen + 1 (TSMC)
The number post Gen denotes if there is really some level of up change or upgrade/downgrades(yes this too can happen especially with DDR B/W to meet a particular power spec).