9'

LG Nexus 5 could cost less than the Xiaomi Mi3! Which would you choose?

AndiOctober 8, 2013

Xiaomi, the undisputed masters of high-end low-cost phones, could be in for a shock if the latest Nexus 5 pricing rumours have any truth to them!

Google and LG are preparing to launch this years Nexus flagship phone, and like the current model the duo might be offering the handset at the lowest possible price! The current Nexus 4 surprised the tech industry last year by launching at just $299 (in the U.S), reports claim that the successor could also enjoy keen pricing.

According to PhoneArena the 16GB version of the Nexus 5 will cost just $299 but will ship with are pathetically small 2300mAh battery, an extra $100 though can you a 32GB version with much larger 3000mAh battery!

Both of these prices are lower than the Xiaomi Mi3 which boasts similar hardware specifications, including a 5-inch 1080 display, Snapdragon 800 processor and NFC support!

Gizchina News of the week

Join GizChina on Telegram

Xiaomi Mi3 Vs LG Nexus 5

[komper pid=118,122 compareform=no]

We don’t need to wait for the launch of either device to know that they will both be in extremely high demand. The Nexus 4 spent much of this year listed as out of stock, and Xiaomi are known for keeping stock low and demand high. Also, both of these phones are going to cost more for people outside of China and the United States, where Google subsidise the cost of Nexus phones.

Things will become extremely interesting once Xiaomi finally launch the Mi3 internationally, especially if they can keep the retail price as low as it is in China.

[poll id=”9″]

Which phone do you prefer to get your hands on? The Xiaomi Mi3 or LG Nexus 5?

Disclaimer: We may be compensated by some of the companies whose products we talk about, but our articles and reviews are always our honest opinions. For more details, you can check out our editorial guidelines and learn about how we use affiliate links.

About the author
Andi

fan
October 8, 2013
Lucky for the US. LG charged twice the price in India. And I don’t think Americans buy phones they can’t pronounce.
Allanitomwesh
October 8, 2013
Nexus 5 if it has LTE,but really the true answer is neither as I still await Find 7 from OPPO.

hoang vung
October 8, 2013

Marius
October 8, 2013
I don’t really care about the Nexus 5. I wanted to buy a Nexus 4 but if you live in a country where Google doesn’t feel like selling you a Nexus device then tough luck.
A Xiaomi will cost me more than it costs in China yes, but I can easily pick one up if I choose to and the added cost won’t be as much as for the Nexus 5.
The only thing I don’t really like with the Xiaomi is the size.
x425m
October 8, 2013
For sure will get the LG Nexus 5, as it will get the latest software update from google. Just as for the same price will you get a BMW or KIA ?
- Goose
  October 8, 2013
  - kia with m3 engine?
    or bmw with m3 engine?
    if you are willing to pay for example $70, 000 USD for kia with m3 engine and not just buy bmw m3 is up to you.
    kinda like buying a “Casio” watch with rolex movement but paying rolex price.
    all xiaomi phone should cost no more than $150 usd.

foggyflute
October 8, 2013
There will be no difference in term of custom rom after 3 months between samsung highend, nexus and xiaomi (maybe even oppo… not sure it can keep up just by great open source support).
And honestly, I’m not gaming, just surfing and chat… even galaxy S3 is still too fast for my need. I planned to buy it at Feb because I love the look, if not S3 can rocking a few more years until they can not port new android version down to it anymore (which I may not care much because there was no impressive feature since ICS update, JB was great on paper but run kind of the same on S3 what smooth still smooth and what lag still lag).

Airyl
October 8, 2013
Totally the Xiaomi Mi3. MIUI is awesome, larger battery, similar price, and the 64GB Mi3 costs the same as the 32GB Nexus.
NOOOOO, I WANT TEGRA 4 XIAOMI :))

nosense
October 8, 2013
I will buy the Nexus as it is the right time. I use to buy alternatively one nexus one crap phone : Magic-Nexus One-LG 2X-GNex-ZopoC2-…Nexus 5
I’m just tired of Chinese crap (Zopo C2)… namely Mediatek’s chipsets.
And for the record MIUI is just iFoolish crap.
- Airyl
  October 8, 2013
  Pretty sure what you just said was meant as a joke because your name is no sense.
Simon
October 8, 2013
At this moment i’m going for the Nexus 5.
Rdmkr
October 8, 2013
8MP cam & 2300mAh battery are deal breakers for me. Assuming the xiaomi has an actually 13MP sensor that would be my choice.

Olivier
October 8, 2013
I spend more for a Note 3 (the best) 😀

zaikatanox
October 8, 2013
The prices would actually be very similar, 2500 CNY vs 400 USD (unless, of course, if CNY appreciates much faster than we expect)
Nexus 5 pros:
– stock Android (and newest version)
– OTA update from Google directly
– a little cheaper (if you live in the US)
– LTE
– not Chinese brand (brand perception matters)
Xiaomi Phone 3 pros:
– front and rear cameras are (likely) better
– better CPU (and higher clocked GPU) for the Snapdragon version (8974AB vs. 8974)
– support for TD-SCDMA (important if you’re under contract with China Mobile)
– bigger storage capacity (64 vs 32 GB)
I think that Xiaomi would still be the better choice if you’re in China (since I heard it’s tough to get a Nexus device there), but you should definitely go with Nexus 5 if you’re either in US or Canada (not to mention that overseas customers probably won’t be able to get their hands on the Mi3 until sometimes next year).
- ajit
  October 24, 2013
  what about the options available in India…wouldn’t it make more sense to buy a MI3 than wait for nexus 5

sere83
October 8, 2013
Thing is as much as I like Xiaomi I actually think that stock android 4.4 will be more stable, less buggy and smoother than MIUI V5. Most of the MIUI additions can also be replicated with 3rd party apps. Also bare in mind Xiaomi will be at least 2 versions of android behind the Nexus 5 when it releases and xiaomi are not the quickest in updating the core OS version.
The fact the nexus 5 will be tested on networks here in the UK and include 4G is the clincher for me though really. I prefer obscure devices but my Mi One had 3G issues and Xiaomi Cameras have never been that great, the 13mp unit on the mi3 looks nice but i think the 8mp with OIS on the nexus 5 will also be sweet and as everyone knows its not just about Mega Pixels.
All this talk of battery as well seems stupid, I highly doubt he Nexus 5 will release without competitive battery performance.

Zheleus
October 8, 2013
Nexus 5 = lte, ois, consistent upgrade or core os
Mi3 = aesthetics(i like how it looks so bite me) miui and dev support, 13mp camera,
Lte is really important for me but it’ll all really just boil down to what’s going to be available here in the philippines, where there is a scarcity of both. =(

Enrico
October 8, 2013
I want to buy the xiaomi but i don’t know in wich website can i… Can you recommend me one??
josejorge
October 8, 2013
i really torn between the nexus 5 and the mi3 im really hoping that the mi3 snapdragon 800 comes in november
vijayshimla
October 8, 2013
Google will surely release a cat amongst pigeons with Nexus 5 at 299$ price point..OIS in camera is more important than just pixel count..it is hi time that over inflated mobile prices came back to earth..mobile manufacturers ..esp Apple r looting the public with rapecious pricing..

Benijama
October 9, 2013
The nexus 5 is ugly as fuck. I don’t care if it has the xvidia negra 40k or a fucking intel xeon. I wouldn’t touch that shit with a stick, that is a clear downgrade from the nexus 4, or any other phone.
- John K
  October 18, 2013
  I see you are an aesthetics over function person….. The nexus 5 is professional looking has no glare on the back of it and isn’t fragile when compared to all these other phones… It looks professional and non tacky.
gothikserpent
October 9, 2013