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Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 is the newer platform, with a higher listed CPU clock and a general advantage in published benchmark comparisons. But results vary by benchmark source, and neither chip’s score alone tells you which complete phone is the better buy.
How the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 and 6 Gen 1 differ
Both are 4 nm, eight-core platforms. Qualcomm lists a maximum CPU clock of 2.4 GHz for Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 and up to 2.2 GHz for Snapdragon 6 Gen 1. Qualcomm also associates both with Quick Charge 4+ and 5G, though it describes their modem systems differently.
| Specification | Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 | Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Process | 4 nm (Qualcomm) | 4 nm (Qualcomm) |
| Maximum CPU clock | 2.4 GHz (Qualcomm) | Up to 2.2 GHz (Qualcomm) |
| CPU configuration | Eight cores: four Cortex-A78 and four Cortex-A55 (NanoReview) | Eight cores: four Cortex-A78 and four Cortex-A55 (NanoReview) |
| GPU | Adreno 710; 1,010 MHz listed by NanoReview and 91mobiles | Adreno 710; 676 MHz listed by NanoReview and 91mobiles |
| Modem description | Snapdragon 5G Modem-RF System (Qualcomm) | Snapdragon X62 (Qualcomm) |
| Charging support | Quick Charge 4+ (Qualcomm) | Quick Charge 4+ (Qualcomm) |
The CPU cluster and GPU clock details are reported by third-party specification pages, not a guarantee of sustained operating clocks in every phone. Cooling and manufacturer tuning affect what a handset can maintain under load.
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What Qualcomm claims about Gen 3 performance
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 product page claims up to 10% better CPU performance, over 30% better GPU performance, and over 20% better AI performance compared with Gen 1. These are Qualcomm’s vendor claims; the page does not provide an independent test basis alongside the percentages. They indicate the direction Qualcomm intends to communicate, not a promise that every Gen 3 phone will outperform every Gen 1 phone by those amounts.
#1 Best Overall
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
What the published benchmarks show
Two comparison publishers show Gen 3 ahead on AnTuTu and single-core Geekbench, but their displayed results differ. Their multi-core Geekbench results also disagree, so the numbers should be read as separate datasets rather than merged into a universal score.
| Publisher and test | Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 | Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 |
|---|---|---|
| NanoReview AnTuTu 11 aggregate | 840,353 (123 tests) | 737,054 (70 tests) |
| NanoReview Geekbench 6 single-core aggregate | 1,013 (24 CPU test samples) | 930 (20 CPU test samples) |
| NanoReview Geekbench 6 multi-core aggregate | 3,000 (24 CPU test samples) | 2,700 (20 CPU test samples) |
| 91mobiles AnTuTu total | 868,311 | 846,599 |
| 91mobiles Geekbench single-core | 1,023 | 948 |
| 91mobiles Geekbench multi-core | 2,690 | 2,764 |
NanoReview’s figures are site aggregates, while 91mobiles says its AnTuTu results come from devices powered by each chip and that its chip-page score is the highest recorded by any device running that chip. Neither presentation is a controlled test of both processors in the same phone. Differences in handset design, software, cooling and test conditions can affect results.
Rank #2
- Carrier: This phone is locked to Tracfone, which means this device can only be used on the Tracfone wireless network. Tracfone plan required, activating is easy, just 3 steps.
- DISPLAY: Immersive viewing on a 6.7-inch super-bright 120Hz display with powerful stereo speakers and Bass Boost for cinematic entertainment.
- CAMERA SYSTEM: Advanced 50MP Quad Pixel camera captures sharp, detailed photos and videos in any lighting condition
- PERFORMANCE: Lightning-fast 5G connectivity paired with a powerful processor and RAM Boost for smooth multitasking.
- BATTERY LIFE: Long-lasting 5000mAh battery with TurboPower charging technology delivers hours of power in minutes.
The pattern supports a general performance step forward for Gen 3, especially in the displayed AnTuTu and single-core results. It does not establish that Gen 3 wins every workload: 91mobiles’ multi-core figure favors Gen 1, unlike NanoReview’s aggregate. For a purchase, same-model, comparable-device testing is more informative than treating either publisher’s chip-level figure as definitive.
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Connectivity figures are not handset guarantees
Qualcomm’s Gen 3 page lists peak download speeds of 2.9 Gbps and Wi-Fi 6/6E capability. Its Gen 1 page describes the X62 modem’s mmWave and Sub-6 coverage and FastConnect 6700 with Wi-Fi 6E. These are platform-level capabilities: a phone maker’s implementation, supported regional bands, carrier certification and local network conditions determine what a particular handset can use and achieve. Check the exact phone SKU for your country and carrier.
Rank #3
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
How to choose between phones using these chips
If two otherwise comparable phones use these platforms, Gen 3’s higher listed CPU clock and the broad benchmark trend make it the more promising starting point for performance. That is not enough to rank complete phones. Compare the actual models on:
- Exact chip and regional SKU: verify the processor in the specific version sold in your market.
- Memory and storage: compare RAM and storage capacity, as well as any differences between configurations.
- Cooling and sustained speed: look for comparable testing under extended workloads, not only short benchmark runs.
- Battery and charging: compare handset capacity, charging implementation and real-world endurance; chipset charging support alone does not establish charging speed.
- Display and cameras: assess the actual panel and camera hardware and software rather than inferring quality from the SoC.
- Software support and price: compare update commitments and the local price of the exact configurations.
Samsung Galaxy A36 5G appears among handsets associated with the compared SoCs in 91mobiles’ listings. Treat that as a search starting point, not proof of current availability, a specific regional configuration, or a like-for-like device comparison.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Carrier: This phone is locked to Tracfone, which means this device can only be used on the Tracfone wireless network. Activating is easy, just 3 steps.
- ACTIVATION Promotion: Includes 1500 min, 1500 texts & 1500 MB Data + add more as you need it
- CAMERA SYSTEM: 50MP Quad Pixel camera. Capture sharper, more vibrant photos day or night with 4x the light sensitivity.
- PERFORMANCE: Blazing-fast Qualcomm performance. Get the speed you need for great entertainment with a Snapdragon 680 processor and 4GB of RAM.
- 64GB built-in storage. Get plenty of room for photos, movies, songs, and apps. Made for US
Rank #4
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
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