Last week, Qualcomm quietly introduced the Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 chip, which raised eyebrows due to its striking resemblance to the Snapdragon 695, launched in 2021. Qualcomm has now confirmed that the 6s Gen 3 is indeed an enhanced version of the older chip.
Qualcomm’s Admission
In a statement to Android Authority, Qualcomm acknowledged, “The Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 is an enhanced version of the Snapdragon 695, offering better CPU, GPU, and AI performances.” This admission confirms suspicions that the new chip is essentially a rebranded version of the three-year-old Snapdragon 695.
Improved Features
The Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 brings improvements in CPU clock speed and enhancements in GPU and AI capabilities. However, Qualcomm did not elaborate on the specifics of these improvements. This strategy of rebranding an older chip with slight upgrades is not uncommon in the tech industry.
Naming Confusion
Qualcomm’s naming scheme has the potential to confuse consumers, especially with the use of suffixes like “s” to denote a slightly improved version of an existing chip. The hierarchy appears to be “s” as the least improved, followed by the standard chip number, and “+” as the most enhanced version.
Industry Strategy
Rebranding and upgrading existing chips is a common practice to reduce production costs and make efficient use of existing technology. While this can be advantageous in terms of performance enhancements, it can also lead to consumer confusion and potential dissatisfaction.
Consumer Reactions
Consumer reactions to Qualcomm’s strategy have been mixed. While some appreciate the improved performance, others feel misled by what they perceive as marketing tactics to sell old technology under a new name.
What are your thoughts on Qualcomm’s strategy of rebranding and slightly enhancing old chips? Share your opinions in the comments below!
