Xiaomi Mi Note 3 Comprehensive Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Design and Build Quality

The Xiaomi Mi Note 3 features a sleek and modern design that captures attention with its elegant aesthetics. The device measures 152.6 x 74 x 7.6 mm and weighs 163 g, offering a comfortable grip. Its build consists of a glass front protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 4, a glass back, and an aluminum frame, providing a premium feel and robust protection against scratches and impacts. The dual SIM capability with nano-SIM slots adds to its practical design.

Display

The phone boasts a 5.5-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels. The screen-to-body ratio is approximately 73.8%, ensuring a vibrant and immersive viewing experience. The display's pixel density of around 401 ppi showcases crisp and clear visuals, ideal for multimedia consumption. Protection is guaranteed with Corning Gorilla Glass 4, defending against minor scratches and drops.

Performance and Software

Under the hood, the Mi Note 3 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 chipset with an octa-core CPU setup consisting of 4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver. This configuration ensures efficient performance, capable of handling multiple tasks and demanding applications with ease. The GPU Adreno 512 enhances the gaming experience by offering smooth and consistent graphics rendering.

The device originally shipped with Android 7.1 (Nougat) and is upgradable to Android 9, running on the MIUI 12 interface. MIUI offers a customizable user experience with features such as dual apps, second space, and a variety of themes.

Memory and Storage

The Xiaomi Mi Note 3 comes with two storage variants - 64GB and 128GB. Both variants are paired with 6GB of RAM, ensuring ample memory for multitasking and performance-intensive applications. However, the absence of a card slot limits storage expansion, making the choice of internal storage capacity crucial based on user needs.

Camera Capabilities

The Mi Note 3 sports a dual-camera setup on the rear, featuring a 12 MP wide-angle lens with an f/1.8 aperture and a 12 MP telephoto lens with an f/2.6 aperture capable of 2x optical zoom. Camera features include PDAF, 4-axis optical image stabilization (OIS), dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, and panorama mode. Video recording capabilities include 4K at 30fps and 720p at 120fps, catering to both high-resolution photography and cinematic video capture.

The front-facing camera is a single 16 MP shooter with an f/2.5 aperture, designed for high-quality selfies and capable of recording 1080p video at 30fps. The inclusion of various beautification modes and settings enhances the selfie experience.

Battery and Charging

The device is equipped with a non-removable 3500 mAh Li-Ion battery. It supports 18W wired charging with Quick Charge 3.0 technology, allowing for swift recharging times. This battery performance is designed to support day-long usage under moderate to heavy use, making it suitable for users who require longevity from their device without frequent charging interruptions.

Network and Connectivity

The Xiaomi Mi Note 3 supports a diverse range of network technologies, including GSM, CDMA, HSPA, EVDO, and LTE. Users can enjoy fast internet speeds with HSPA up to 42.2/5.76 Mbps and LTE Cat6 up to 300/50 Mbps.

Connectivity features comprise Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac with dual-band capability, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, and an infrared port. The inclusion of USB Type-C ensures fast data transfer and charging. For positioning services, the device uses GPS, GLONASS, and BDS.

Audio and Additional Features

The device is equipped with stereo speakers, enhancing the audio quality for music playback and video streaming. However, it lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack, requiring users to adopt wireless solutions or USB Type-C adapters for using traditional earphones.

Additional features include a front-mounted fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking, and sensors such as an accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, compass, and a barometer, which add to the utility of the device in various scenarios.

Market Availability and Pricing

The Xiaomi Mi Note 3 was officially announced in September 2017 and made available for purchase in the same month. The pricing started at approximately 280 EUR, positioning it as a mid-range device with premium features, appealing to a broad range of consumers looking for value-driven smartphone options.

Conclusion

The Xiaomi Mi Note 3 offers a well-rounded package with a balance of design, performance, and camera capabilities. It's an ideal choice for users seeking a smartphone with solid performance, a decent camera setup, and reliable battery life in a sleek and visually appealing design. While the lack of expandable storage and headphone jack might be seen as drawbacks, the overall feature set and performance make it a compelling option within its market segment.