Soon, a new hardware option will appear in the segment of basic and mid-range phones that will compete directly with the solutions offered by Mediatek and Unisoc.
Qualcomm has just unveiled the Snapdragon 6s Gen 3, a midrange mobile platform that will launch in two variants: a 5G version (SM6375-AC) and a 4G version (SM6370). There are still options for 4G as original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have flexibility in their choice of hardware, and in reality, for most consumers, 4G is completely adequate, as you will see from the technical details.
Technical specifications Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 (6nm)
- CPU and GPU – Kryo CPU with 64-bit architecture and frequency up to 2.3 GHz, together with Adreno GPU, supporting various graphics APIs (OpenGL ES 3.2, OpenCL 2.0, Vulkan 1.1).
- Camera – the Qualcomm Spectra image processor supports up to 108 MP stills, up to 1080p / 60 FPS and 720p / 30 fps video recording with three cameras simultaneously.
- Audio – includes AI-based echo and noise cancellation technology, delivering up to 384kHz/32-bit audio quality.
- Display – supports HD+ and FHD+ displays with 120 Hz refresh rate.
- Charging – Qualcomm Quick Charge 4+ technology allows the battery to be charged up to 50% in 15 minutes.
- Download and upload speeds: download up to 2.5 Gbps (5G), 800 Mbps (LTE); Upload up to 1.5 Gbps (5G), 210 Mbps (LTE).
At the same time, the new Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 comes with support for UFS 2.2 storage units, is compatible with LPDDR4x memory at a frequency of 2133 MHz, and includes wireless connectivity 802.11a/b/g/n plus Bluetooth 5.2. This latest mobile platform from Snapdragon provides worldwide 5G coverage thanks to the Snapdragon X51 5G RF modem, which is capable of handling both sub-6 GHz and mmWave networks. The platform is also designed to be versatile, supporting multiple network configurations such as SA and NSA, TDD, FDD and DSS.
According to available information, Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 is often put in parallel with Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, introduced to the market in 2022. The former model is distinguished by more advanced performance due to the technological process of 4nm compared to 6nm, the ability to support camera resolutions of up to 200 MP in contrast to 108 MP, and the possibility of video recording up to 4K. In addition, it is equipped with a high-end gaming-optimized GPU and LP-DDR5 memory, which reaches a frequency of 2750 MHz.
However, it is not appropriate to directly compare the new “s” version with its predecessors, since “s” indicates a variant optimized for efficiency. A fairer comparison would be between the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 and the upcoming Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, should the latter be released. Moreover, some analysts seem to be overlooking the improved AI capabilities of the new chipset.
Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 brings a state-of-the-art AI engine and an impressive set of smart features. With the integration of Qualcomm AI Engine, which includes Vector Extensions (HVX) and Scalar Accelerator, it promises fast and efficient AI processing. It also features an energy-efficient Sensing Hub that coordinates sound, voice and motion. Support for multiple always-on voice assistants and remote detection capability with echo cancellation are intended to increase the accuracy of voice recognition and enrich the camera's functionality.
We anticipate that the Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 will be integrated into entry-level and mid-range phones that will hit the market, thus competing with Mediatek and Unisoc products.
