Rumour: Xiaomi Mi3 is just a transitional model, big updates headed for Xiaomi Mi3S

AndiDecember 5, 2013

Timing could be worse (for Xiaomi) on this latest rumour which claims the current Xiaomi Mi3 isn’t the companies true next generation product and we will see big updates to the next generation Xiaomi Mi3S due April!

If (like me) you had been waiting for the launch of the WCDMA Snapdragon 800 version of the Xiaomi Mi3 to launch this month, this new rumour might make you reconsider your purchase. Early last evening reports came in that Xiaomi are already working on a ‘true’ next generation flagship phone named the Xiaomi Mi3S.

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This new model will not only address some of the styling issues of the current Mi3, namely narrow screen bezels, but will feature an almost full redesign, feature 4G LTE and be bowered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 805 processor.

Although it would be easy to pass this off as a simple rumour, Xiaomi do have a recored of updating their phones mid-way through their lifecycle and we were already expecting an Mi3S to arrive halfway through 2014, the part about a full redesign is a surprise though.

So future Xiaomi Mi3 owners do you buy the Mi3 now, wait for the Mi3S, or just buy something else?

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About the author
Andi

kolyamba
December 5, 2013
Mi3 is absolutely fail, imho. It’s too big for 5″. As I already wrote, my ZTE V987 Grand X Quad (it’s about 6 month old! sic!) has sizes 141 x 70 x 8.9 mm vs Mi3 144 x 73.6 x 8.1 mm.
p.s. wife has xiaomi mi2s and we really like it.
- Airyl
  December 6, 2013
  I really like the size of the Xiaomi Mi3 since it fits more comfortably in my hand. The design is also very ergonomic. If it’s too big for you doesn’t mean it’s an absolute failure.
  - kolyamba
    December 11, 2013
    I didn’t write “it’s just too big”. I wrote “it’s too big FOR 5″”. Other manufacturers can put in this size MORE than 5″ screen. LG G2 has 5.2″ (!) and its sizes are 70.9×138.5×9.1 mm. So, yes, it’s absolutely fail of Xiaomi.
- Tony Iljazi
  December 6, 2013
  - kolyamba
    December 15, 2013
- Simon
  December 6, 2013
  Only thing with Mi2S its still stuck on MIUI 5, which I believe is only Android 4.2
thorun
December 6, 2013
i hope they maintain the 5 inch size! Just that and LTE and i will be very happy.
Ah, they must launch things more fast next time, people waited 3 months now for the launch of WCDMA version! If they really plan go globally they should rethink this strategy.
- Dominic
  December 6, 2013
  Agreed. The WCDMA issue was really out of their hands though. Qualcomm had delays manufacturing the 8974AB due to a shortage of the basic snapdragon 800 model.

zaikatanox
December 6, 2013
This is mobile phone industry. If your model is not transitional, then you’re not moving fast enough 🙂
Zhel ues
December 6, 2013
Ef it. I’ve been waiting since august… Cant wait anymore 🙁
Dominic
December 6, 2013
Depends how long it takes to come to Taiwan. I’d rather purchase from the xiaomi here in TW so I have the option of local support. If for example it doesn’t get here till February I’d consider waiting. I’ve been waiting so long though unless the rumors are pointing to mi3 shattering specs I’ll probably just buy the mi3 when its available and sell it when mi4 comes out.

Pushkin
December 6, 2013
I just buy Oppo Find 7, Mi3 is fail.
- Simon
  December 6, 2013
  What about Oppo N1 ?
- Alan
  December 6, 2013
  THe Oppo Find 7 is equally not available ( but would be more appealing bc of Cyanogen behind it )

liljohn
December 6, 2013
did u say april andi? i hope there wont be an ‘april-fool’
i’m guessing one factor of the full body redesign is to provide removable battery while maintaining a unibody look…
5.2″ screen thinner bezel, ‘forehead’ and ‘chin’ around the same measurement as mi3 or just a bit bigger
qualcomm sd805, igzo display, 4000++mah, 3gb ram, 32gb rom (basic model) / 16 gb + microsd slot
after waiting mi3 for so long, wont hold back no more, i’ll buy it, whenever it is available and whenever i can get one…
what about the zimi or mipad??? any news?
Hoàng Vững
December 6, 2013
Wait, wait, wait, but wait for how long 😀

Jason
December 6, 2013
And next year around this time, the Mi4 will most likely be released. I am saying that if you are happy with the phone, just buy it. Everybody knows that every 6-7 months a new phone will be released, because the competition is tough,

roobs
December 6, 2013
I personally don’t think that mi3s will come with a re-design, i’m pretty sure that only the specs will be updated. The re-design will be for the MI4.
Just my 2 cents =)
- liljohn
  December 6, 2013
  make sense! if mi3s will only get specs upgrade, i’ll skip……just mi3 and hopefully a powerful mipad, and waiting for mi4s, maybe in mid (april?) 2015……
Simon
December 6, 2013
Only thing is, 6 months after that Xiaomi Mi4 will have tongues salivating. Maybe best to look to other manufacturers such as Oppo, Vivo, Meizu, Gionee until Xiaomi gets things sorted. At least for people outside China.

Jögo Suán-Kōr
December 6, 2013
I was so sure about Xiaomi will make an improvement version of Mi3 as they did with Mi2, but if they say april, i hope they won’t wait for it and made it late september internationally. And yes, definitely, Xiaomi needs to catch up the huge space in the competition for the next year’s new standarts for the smartphones and do it quickly internationally. Zopo, Zte, Huawei, Oppo, they are already on the international side and are doing well, why to miss the best one as Xiaomi.. I’m so pissed off because Xiaomi didn’t make it internationally so far by now.. and Mi3 was big ‘waiting’ disappoointment for me personally, i’m still waiting it WCDMA version for 7 months.. and finally i bought Hongmi just to have something in the pocket and i would wait for Mi3S rather than holding on the edge for Mi3… 🙂
- Jögo Suán-Kōr
  December 6, 2013
  and please, don’t tell me that the display should be less than 5′ i won’t buy smaller sized phone for Xiaomi sake never, although Mi2s was better from Hongmi, i still prefered the 4.7′ display, …

rememberus
December 6, 2013
only redesign xiaomi MI3S will get are smaller bezels.
Alan
December 6, 2013
the problem (for me ) with chinese phones is international availability Mi3 was anounced months ago “officially” if i hear april it sounds like august/september 2014 to me.
@ liljohn: im even tempted by the “LG G2” its already on the market the price droped to a nice 399€ (16gb) battery life is supposed to be extrodinary by reviews, ( only a stylus is missing ) never seen such narrow bezels before

Michael Amen
December 6, 2013
The Mi3S will be available by April/May 2014 .. the Hardwareupdates of the Mi-Series are coming up every half year ! Take an example on the older Mi-One or Mi2 !
Simon
December 7, 2013
I’m going to buy the Nexus 5, and in 12 months time, see what Xiaomi are producing. Hopefully it will be worth the wait.
- December 7, 2013
  I was also looking at the Nexus 5 but the camera and battery life have put me off. I’ve been playing around with an Oppo N1 for the past few days and it is fantastic! A really fun device!

MIUI Android
December 7, 2013
I’d still try the MI3 it’s a great device. Yes, it’s got some style issues for some users but overall its a great device as I said. I’ve used the TD version for over a month now and other than it getting a bit hot with intensive games its all good ; ) screens awesome too!
simplyshriek
March 6, 2014
Hi Andi any updates on this news. Xiaomi is launching Mi3 in Singapore today (Mar 7′ 2014) as i write for same price as mainland china. Do u think should be a good idea to buy now or wait for 64gb ver or Mi3s. PLZ SUGGEST:)