zypper -vv didn't really give more information on how those installations are handled, it just had more info on repo related stuff. > sudo zypper -vv in --oldpackage kernel-default-5.11.4-1.3.x86_64.rpm Parts of output: The following NEW package is going to be installed: kernel-default 5.11.4-1.3 x86_64 Plain RPM files cache openSUSE The following package is going to be REMOVED: kernel-default 5.11.4-1.2 x86_64 openSUSE The following package requires a system reboot: kernel-default 5.11.4-1.3 x86_64 Plain RPM files cache openSUSE 1 new package to install, 1 to remove. Checking for file conflicts: ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................[done] (1/2) Removing kernel-default-5.11.4-1.2.x86_64 ................................................................................................................................................................................................................[done] (2/2) Installing: kernel-default-5.11.4-1.3.x86_64 .............................................................................................................................................................................................................[done] CommitResult (total 2, done 2, error 0, skipped 0, updateMessages 0) The summary and the progress shows it happening in 2 steps: 1) remove old, 2) install new. Compared to regular package updates: > sudo zypper dup The following 2 packages are going to be upgraded: iscan iscan-data Checking for file conflicts: ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................[done] (1/2) Installing: iscan-data-1.39.1-5.30.noarch ................................................................................................................................................................................................................[done] (2/2) Installing: iscan-2.30.4-5.30.x86_64 .....................................................................................................................................................................................................................[done]