Have you been looking at the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 and wonder what the differences are? what are the advantages of each? Which to buy? Then watch our comparison video.
There was a huge gap between the launch of the Xiaomi Redmi Note and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 2, but there was only a matter of months until the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 came along. The sudden launch of a 2nd Redmi Note this year came as a surprise to many and also caused confusion for customers wondering which to buy, but hopefully my hands on video comparison above points out the differences and helps you out.
Video: Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 2
Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 2
In the video I go through the differences of each phone, plus a few advantages of each, but let’s look at what is the same, or almost the same first.
First of all both phones have a 5.5-inch 1920 x 1080 FHD display, they are similar sizes, they both have 13 mega-pixel PDAF F2.2 rear cameras and both run MIUI 7. Both of my Redmi phones have a 2.0Ghz Mediatek Helio X10 chipset and 2GB RAM and Antutu tests show that performance is very very similar.
So what’s different? Well we already know that the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 is a unibody alloy phone with rear fingerprint scanner and dual LED flash. The new metal bodied phone measures 8.75mm thick and boasts a huge 4000mAh battery!
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 on the other hand has a polycarbonate body and measures 8.25mm thick with smaller 3080mAh battery. However, the rear on the Redmi Note 2 is removable and the battery is user replaceable too!
That removable rear on the Redmi Note 2 also means you can easily fit 2 SIM cards plus a Micro SD card where as the SIM tray on the Redmi Note 3 only has space for SIM cards.
The differences continue with the placement of the front facing camera, the colour of the back lit buttons (red on the 2 and white on the 3) and the 5.5-inch display itself. I was quite surprised to learn that the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 has a brighter, whiter display where as the Redmi Note 2 is slightly duller.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 Antutu
Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 photo sample
I took a few photos with each phone to see how the two cameras compare. Both are 13 mega-pixel shooters with F2.2 apertures and PDAF fast focus. There if very little difference between the two, but the Redmi Note 3 does seem to handle details and shadows a little better.
Take a look at the photos below and you will see that the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 has a little more exposure which helps produce brighter colours in low light (the red seat of the swing is a good example of this). On the other hand the Redmi Note 2 handles cool colours better and you see a nicer blue in the sky.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 Photo Samples
Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 Photo Samples
Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 Conclusion
So which is the better phone? Well in all honesty the Redmi Note 2 and Redmi Note 3 offer the same performance, and they offer very similar camera performance.
The advantages of the Redmi Note 2 are the thinner body, removable battery, SD card memory expansion and the lower price. The Redmi Note 2 with 2GB RAM starts at around $169.99.
The Redmi Note 3 benefits from a dual tone dual LED flash, much larger 4000mAh battery, alloy build, and fingerprint scanner. I love the fingerprint scanner on the 3, not only does it add security but it allow for a faster unlock speed. Pricing for the 2GB RAM Redmi Note 3 is around $199.99.
While it might be natural to compare these two phones it’s actually a little unfair. The fact that Xiaomi launched these phones so close means that they are meant to sell on the market next to each other. The Redmi Note 2 is the entry-level phablet, while the Redmi Note 3 is the flagship, hence the $30 price difference. Xiaomi really should have named the Redmi Note 3 the 2+ or 2Pro, which would explain the hierarchy better.
Given the choice I would opt for the Redmi Note 3 for the fingerprint scanner alone, but if I already had the Redmi Note 2 I wouldn’t upgrade there aren’t enough advantages to warrant the early upgrade. I also prefer the vibrant images the Note 3 produces too.
No matter which phone you choose you will be taking away a device with amazing performance, great camera and excellent build. So which do you choose?
Xiaomi phones are available from Shop.GizChina.com:
None. It’s the Mate 8 for me or the Pro 5. Just waiting for the review to come out.
you compare devices that costs 400+$/€ with one with 200$/€…it’s like compare apples with pears man.
You have to compare even the price tag.
Price doesn’t always tell the difference. And for some people price isn’t as big of a factor as it for others. I paid over $400 for a Gionee S6. The hardware in that phone is equal to phones that cost around $150-200.
Damn straight I am. I bought it blindly because my Gionee review guy (Yash) refused to publish his review. As usual with a Gionee: excellent camera, amazing build quality, confusing software.
Maybe moto e or lumia 435?
Pro 5?..u mean Mi 5 or something else?
Pro 5 is from Meizu. It is their newest ultra flagship, basically an MX5 with a Samsung Exnyos SoC.
I just want a big screen with expandable storage. I’m willing to try one without a removable battery. Hopefully, Xiaomi will come out with a new Note Pro with one.
Ok, but you should have added some context in your first comment… As you can see, no one understood what you meant! xD
However, may i suggest you gionee elife e8? Or some rebrand, that’s cheaper… It’s quite interesting with his 6 inch screen!
Solved with new updates: my friend has one, and he has very good battery life (5 and half hours sot always under 3g).
It was solved with MIUI release V7.0.12.0.LHMMICI . I know a few people that have one and they all said this global update fixed the issue for them.
nice comparison, IMHO the note 3 is a killer phone.
Ok, we miss sd card slot and removable battery, but we got fingerprint scanner, 1000 more mah, and a nice looking body that feels more solid and less cheap than plastic.