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Raspberry Pi 3 uses a 64-bit ARM CPU, while its predecessors used 32-bit ones.

How does this affect software compatibility?

Can all of the old 32 bit binary packages for Raspberry Pi 1 and 2 be properly run on it? Or have most of the Raspbian packages already been recompiled for the new architecture?

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While the OS software is identical (as in the answer) the Pi3 requires different drivers and different Device Tree settings due to the changes in hardware. – Milliways 9 hours ago
up vote 17 down vote accepted

While the processor in the Pi 3 is 64bit. The new chip is fully backward compatable and it uses the same 32bit OS, hence all programs will continue to work. Additional information can be found in this question.

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