Yes Pre-market can surely be a hit or a miss
To my understanding differentiating between meme coins and utility tokens is the catch. Meme coins like Hamster Kombat often generate a lot of initial hype but may not have the long-term potential compared to some tokens with real-world utility. On the other hand, ZKlink, Layer3, and Swell Network are indeed examples of utility tokens with promising pre-markets.
Additionally, Pepe Unchained which can be considered similar to a meme coin has a unique approach and a growing community. If it continues to develop its ecosystem and provide tangible utility, it could potentially bridge the gap between meme coins and utility tokens.
But that's just my POV...
You are right, however, if the project does have utility, it doesn't mean that it would have the ambition and the power to become something bigger than its competitors, thus, premarket can bring you either good or bad news, depending on how the project will develop with time. It's everybody's choice to get their hands to work, in analysis as well as into when to make a move to gain something from it. That's, of course, my opinion

Absolutely, the potential of a project, whether it’s a meme coin or a utility token, heavily depends on its long-term development and adaptability. Even with inherent utility, a project's success in the pre-market can be unpredictable.
The example of Pepe Unchained is particularly interesting. While it may start with the meme coin label, its success will hinge on how well it can evolve its ecosystem and add real value. Projects like Mega Dice Token - Presale also show that with the right blend of utility and community engagement, they can bridge gaps and make significant impacts in their respective spaces.
Ultimately, thorough research and timing play critical roles in navigating the pre-market landscape effectively.