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Xiaomi Redmi 3 Unveiling Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Release Date
2016, January
Camera
13MP
Battery
4100mAh
Battery Type
10W
Processor
Snapdragon 616
Screen
5.0"
Storage
16GB/32GB , microSDXC
Ram
2/3GB RAM
Operating System
Android 5.1, MIUI 7

Introduction to Xiaomi Redmi 3

The Xiaomi Redmi 3, announced and released in January 2016, was a significant entry into the budget smartphone market. Known for its robust features at a competitive price, it offered an attractive option for users seeking a balance between functionality and affordability. Although the device has since been discontinued, it remains noteworthy for its specifications and performance during its time.

Design and Build

The Xiaomi Redmi 3 features a sleek design with dimensions of 139.3 x 69.6 x 8.5 mm and a weight of 144 grams, making it comfortable to hold and use. The device boasts a glass front coupled with an aluminum back and frame, lending it a premium feel despite its budget pricing. The phone supports a Hybrid Dual SIM, which allows either two SIM cards or one SIM card and a microSD card for expanded storage.

Display

The smartphone comes with a 5.0-inch IPS LCD display, offering a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels, translating to a pixel density of approximately 294 ppi. The screen-to-body ratio stands at about 71.1%, providing adequate viewing space for browsing, multimedia, and general use. The display produces acceptable color reproduction and brightness suitable for most lighting conditions.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the Xiaomi Redmi 3 is powered by the Qualcomm MSM8939v2 Snapdragon 616 chipset built on a 28 nm process. The octa-core CPU consists of 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 and 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A53 cores, coupled with the Adreno 405 GPU. This setup ensures responsive performance for day-to-day tasks and moderate multitasking. The device was available in two variants: 16GB internal storage with 2GB RAM and 32GB internal storage with 3GB RAM, both supporting microSDXC cards through a shared SIM slot.

Software

Running on Android 5.1 (Lollipop) with Xiaomi's MIUI 7 skin, the Xiaomi Redmi 3 provides a user-friendly interface packed with features and customizability. MIUI is known for its vibrant design and various enhancements over stock Android, including better security features and a host of system applications to improve productivity.

Camera

The Xiaomi Redmi 3 is equipped with a single 13 MP main camera with an aperture of f/2.0, featuring PDAF, LED flash, HDR, and panorama. It offers the capability to capture 1080p videos at 30fps. The 5 MP front camera with an f/2.2 aperture also supports 1080p video recording, making it decent for selfies and video calls. Image quality is satisfactory in good lighting conditions, with acceptable detail and color balance.

Battery Life

One of the standout features of the Xiaomi Redmi 3 is its impressive 4100 mAh non-removable Li-Ion battery, offering excellent endurance. The device supports 10W wired charging. The large battery capacity translates to longer usage times, with many users reporting an endurance rating of up to 107 hours under typical usage scenarios, making it ideal for heavy users and travelers.

Connectivity and Other Features

The Redmi 3 offers an array of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.1, GPS, GLONASS, BDS, FM radio, and an infrared port. However, it does not support NFC. The phone has a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer. The device also features essential sensors such as an accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, and compass, enhancing its utility.

Colours and Pricing

Xiaomi released the Redmi 3 in several color options, including Gold, Dark Gray, Silver, and Classic Gold, allowing users to choose according to their preference. At launch, the phone was priced around 160 EUR, offering substantial value for money given its feature set and capabilities.

Conclusion

The Xiaomi Redmi 3 remains a memorable device in Xiaomi's lineup, demonstrating the company's commitment to delivering feature-rich smartphones at an affordable price point. While technology has continued to advance, and newer models offer more advanced features, the Redmi 3 laid the groundwork for many budget-friendly devices that followed. With its solid performance, long battery life, and attractive design, it was a favored choice for many and continues to be remembered fondly by those who used it.

Key Features of Xiaomi Redmi 3

  • Supports GSM, CDMA, HSPA, EVDO, and LTE technologies for wide network connectivity.
  • Lightweight design with an aluminum back and frame, weighing just 144g.
  • 5.0-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels for clear visuals.
  • Powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 616 chipset with an octa-core CPU for efficient performance.
  • Available with up to 32GB internal storage and 3GB RAM, expandable via microSDXC.
  • 13 MP main camera with features like PDAF, LED flash, HDR, and panorama.
  • High-resolution 5 MP front camera and both cameras support 1080p video recording.
  • Equipped with a 4100 mAh battery providing excellent endurance with a rating of 107 hours.
  • Includes essential communication options such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, infrared port, and FM radio.
  • Offers convenient Hybrid Dual SIM slot supporting Micro-SIM and Nano-SIM.
  • Various color options including Gold, Dark Gray, Silver, and Classic Gold.

Disadvantages of Xiaomi Redmi 3

  • Discontinued model, which means no official support and updates from the manufacturer.
  • Uses a relatively outdated operating system (Android 5.1 Lollipop) which lacks support for recent apps and security updates.
  • Hybrid dual SIM slot limits the use of both dual SIM and expandable storage simultaneously.
  • No NFC support, limiting mobile payment options and some connectivity features.
  • MicroUSB 2.0 used instead of the more modern USB-C, which offers better data transfer speeds and charging capabilities.
  • Display resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels, which might not satisfy users looking for higher pixel density or 1080p and above resolutions.
Network
Technology GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
2G bands GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2
3G bands HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands 1, 3, 7, 38, 39, 40, 41
Speed HSPA, LTE, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps
Launch
Announced 2016, January. Released 2016, January
Status Discontinued
Body
Dimensions 139.3 x 69.6 x 8.5 mm (5.48 x 2.74 x 0.33 in)
Weight 144 g (5.08 oz)
Build Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame
SIM Hybrid Dual SIM (Micro-SIM/Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
Display
Type IPS LCD
Size 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~71.1% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density)
Platform
OS Android 5.1 (Lollipop), MIUI 7
Chipset Qualcomm MSM8939v2 Snapdragon 616 (28 nm)
CPU Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A53)
GPU Adreno 405
Memory
Card slot microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM
Main Camera
Single 13 MP, f/2.0, PDAF
Features LED flash, HDR, panorama
Video 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single 5 MP, f/2.2
Video 1080p@30fps
Sound
Loudspeaker Yes
3.5mm jack Yes
Comms
WLAN Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot
Bluetooth 4.1, A2DP
Positioning GPS, GLONASS, BDS
NFC No
Infrared port Yes
Radio FM radio
USB microUSB 2.0
Features
Sensors Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Type Li-Ion 4100 mAh, non-removable
Charging 10W wired
Misc
Colors Gold, Dark Gray, Silver, Classic Gold
Models 2015816
SAR 0.90 W/kg (head)     0.56 W/kg (body)
SAR EU 1.33 W/kg (head)
Price About 160 EUR
Tests
Camera Photo / Video
Battery (old) Endurance rating 107h

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