Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 is the Affordable Mid-range 'AI' Processor
Qualcomm has been refreshing its mid-range chipsets lately. Following the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 last month, the chipmaker unveiled the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, another mid-range SoC that should deliver AI features and better graphics to more affordable mid-rangers.
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Although generative AI has become the standard in flagship smartphones this year, its adoption in mid-range devices has been sluggish and scarce, primarily due to the lack of capable hardware to run these resource-intensive features. Now, Qualcomm has announced new processors that should enable AI across a wider range of smartphones.
The Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 is the successor to the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 that powers major mid-range devices like the new Sony Xperia 10 VI and Motorola Moto G Stylus. Qualcomm skipped the second generation, likely to align the new chip with its recent offerings. The new platform is slated for action in upcoming mid-range smartphones and budget entries even.
How fast is the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 compared to the Gen 1?
In terms of performance, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 SoC is very close to the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, with both silicons based on a 4 nm node and featuring an octa-core CPU and an Adreno 710 GPU. The differences lie in the clock speed and the supported maximum display refresh rate.
The chip’s processor is headlined by four Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.4 GHz and four efficiency Cortex-A55 cores that run at 1.8 GHz, which is slightly lower than the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2’s 1.9 GHz. According to Qualcomm, the CPU is 10 percent faster overall than the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1.
While it has the same Adreno 710 GPU, Qualcomm touts the overall graphics performance is 30 percent better than the previous generation. Similarly, the new neural processing unit, also known as the AI engine, is said to offer 20 percent improved processing. There are also features like variable rate shading, color upscaling, and refresh rate optimization in games.
Elsewhere, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 SoC features the same 12-bit ISP with up to 200 MP sensor compatibility as the Gen 1. Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, and Quick Charge 4+ are also supported.
Smartphones that may be powered by Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 SoC
With this setup, we’re likely to see premium performance even in mid-range Android smartphones at more affordable prices. It’s unclear yet which models will be fitted with the new chip, but the alleged 2025 Sony Xperia 10 VII and Motorola Moto G Stylus might be among those that will be powered by the platform.
Which of these new AI features would you like to see added to mid-range smartphones? Let us know in the comments.
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