If you’ve been waiting to get yourself a flagship-level phone that doesn’t break the bank, the new Redmi Note 3 is definitely something you would’ve considered. Of course, there’s a couple different versions of this phone, differing in storage and memory.
We posted a review of the 2GB RAM version of the Redmi Note 3 a few weeks back.
This time round, we’re here to talk about the 3GB RAM/32GB ROM version of the Redmi-series flag bearer, which costs $209 shipped internationally.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 Review (3GB) – Design
I don’t have too much extra to add to what Andi wrote in his review of the 2GB RAM Redmi Note 3 about the design part of this phone. What I would like to say is that sometimes the extra thickness of the Redmi Note 3 seems unjustified… not only because the phone launched almost in 2016, but also because the battery life can sometimes not live up to what you expect.
If you’ve seen and used any other Redmi Note phone, it’ll be hard for you to distinguish between the new Redmi Note 3 and the older ones on the face alone. However, turn the phone around and there’s a completely new look to it — something that personally reminds me of the Meizu MX5.
What it means is that the rear of the Redmi Note 3 is metal, something that has never happened before. While that does add a lot of ‘premium’ to the feel of the phone, it isn’t really up to the level of the HTC M8s and the M9s… which itself is something wrong to expect from a phone that costs a fraction of the price. But then again its Xiaomi we’re talking about!
Something I noticed while looking around the phone while writing this review is that there’s a bit of a creaking sound when I (lightly) press down on the phone’s body on the bottom block, right next to the micro USB port.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 Review (3GB) – Hardware
Redmi phones have always been about Xiaomi not taking chances and producing devices that appeal to the masses. The Redmi Note 3 departs a little from that theory, and in more ways than one targets a particular niche of users that like to call themselves ‘power users’.
Testimony to that is the metal body and the large 4000mAh battery, something that had never been done before the Redmi Note 3 by Xiaomi. Speaking of, it’s been a bit of a hit-or-miss with the battery for me. While I’ve been able to churn out one and a half days of usage on most cases (and one day i.e., 24 hours with high usage), I’ve been disappointed with the kind of battery % the phone’s been losing in its sleep. This has to do with the software, and as we’ve seen in the past Xiaomi do tend to push half-baked MIUI ROMs every now and then.
Gizchina News of the week
No qualms about the performance, however. Despite what you might read or hear, the Redmi Note 3 does offer flagship-level performance… but with a catch. You can’t be a gamer. The Helio X10 is a wonderful chipset (and one that’s made MediaTek popular in the high-end segment among manufacturers), but it’s no secret it doesn’t embed the most powerful GPU around.
Moving on to the display; Xiaomi ship the Redmi Note 3 with a 5.5-inch 1920 x 1080p IPS LCD which is capable of reproducing some nice natural pictures. It isn’t the best 5.5-inch panel you’ll find on a phone, but it’s right up there with the best ones you’ll see on a $250 phone. MIUI allows you to change the characteristics of the display a fair bit, too.
While I’ve always been a fan of having a fingerprint sensor on my phone (more for the speed, than the added security), it’s the Coolpad Note 3 and the Redmi Note 3 that convinced me that it wasn’t unworthy getting used to a fingerprint sensor on the rear of the phone. On the Redmi Note 3, the fingerprint sensor is sharp and accurate, and leaves nothing to complain about.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 Review (3GB) – Performance
Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 Review (3GB) – Camera
Just like the 2GB RAM version of the phone, the 3GB RAM Redmi Note 3 comes with a 13 mega-pixel rear camera with PDAF (phase detection autofocus) and and f/2.2 aperture. What this means is that the Redmi Note 3 doesn’t quite take the best bokeh shots, but the powerful sensor combined with PDAF makes for a great on-the-move setup.
The camera is speedy without any noticeable lag, and has great focusing speeds, enough for me to not miss the MX5. The picture detail isn’t quite up there with the MX5, but despite that the Redmi Note 3 is a mighty fine camera phone with natural colour reproduction.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 Review – Conclusion
I really like the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 as an all-round phone. But then, many like their phones thin, and with removable batteries and SD card slots… the Redmi Note 3 doesn’t do that.
Also, as mentioned previously, 3D performance isn’t the best. That said, if you identify yourself as a ‘power user’ i.e., someone who’s ready to invest time and energy into making the phone suited to them, doesn’t play games and mostly uses the phone for utility and camera purposes, then the Redmi Note 3 should be on top of your list.
However, if you also need those missing features, you may have to scrape a Redmi Note 2 from somewhere or look at some of the more expensive options.
We’d like to thank Geekbuying.com for shipping the Redmi Note 3 for review.
Good adition to Andi’s review.
Arent you marking the camera bit to highly? Low light conditions pictures are really poor.
Low light pictures are poor in nearly every camera, very few take good low light shots, hardly any take good ones at this price point. Judging by his pictures I would say it’s good not great so about a 7.5/8.
In looking for a new phone again.
Can’t wait for new phones to launch anymore.
I’m was considering this Note3 but it’s kinda ugly and camera isn’t great, I’m considering buying the MX5
I love my MX5, I am right at the 6 month mark which is when I get sick of a phone and start looking at new ones. This is only the third phone I don’t have that feeling with (Mi3 and Mi4 were the others). If the Mi5 doesn’t blow me away my next phone will be an MX6 or Pro 6.
from what i read it is a wonderfull phone. can you say some words about those “weekly”updates ?
The MX5 I have received around 9 updates in 6 months. A Xiaomi phone running MIUI is updated every Friday, and most of the patch fixes are ones that are submitted by the community on the MIUI forums. Sometimes it’s simple fixes like a certain app doesn’t act right, other times it major fixes. But when you buy a Xiaomi you have support unlike any other phone in the business.
if like mx5 you can’t say that note 3 is ugly, lol
Yes I can say that
Hey Yash, what happened to the Meizu metal review? I had to choose between these 2 handsets and went for the Meizu due to Andi’s review of the Xiaomi, have I made the right decision since you have them both?
Hi, just started using it — had to complete the Redmi Note 3 review before I could. Since I’ve already spend time with the Metal before, a review can be expected early next week. Sorry to keep you waiting!
How’s the Gionee review coming ;)?
it’s there in the waitlist…..
Lets move it to the publish list!
Hi Yash ,
Kindly review Honor 5x
Hope this will real compitator to
Letv 1s
Redmi note 3
Metal
Regards
BaigAndroid
Can you review ZUK Z1? (International version, with cyanogen)
there you go: https://www.gizchina.com/2015/10/27/zuk-z1-review/
screen times are pretty good…
i have a redmi note 3 too and i can say that with heavy usage you can have 6-7hrs of SOT, but i confirm that in sleeping you have to face against kernel wakelocks, that belongs to wifi. other mtk had this issues, that should be patched.
however there were many updates and overall is a great device.
which ROM do you have installed on the phone?
SphinXv2b
Same, so far the best ROM available, and if the easy to achive bootloader unlock tool is never released we better pray that the developer doesn’t stops updating it, still waiting for the sms with my unlock code…
Trust me, best ROM is Official China Stable ROM.
if you don’t care having your phone in English, this is the rom you need to install to truly enjoy the Redmi Note 3
does this sphinx rom still have the bug in the gallery that can’t play video?
Can you please show us which version of MIUI you have on the device?
I am pretty sure the issue with battery is because of a shitty ROM installed on the phone…
I have the phone with latest Official Stable China ROM and the battery survive almost 2 days of heavy use.
I have seen this in the MIUI forums too, the official stable ROM is much better for battery life and performance in general.
Pretty much this, the ROM used by resellers is utter shit, my note 3 gives me 7 hours of screen time with 2 days of usage or 10 hours of YouTube streaming from 100% to 1%
Hi Yash ,
Kindly review Honor 5x
Hope this will real compitator to
Letv 1s
Redmi note 3
Metal
Regards
BaigAndroid
Will try and get one for review
Thanks yash .
Waiting for review
i’ll buy this if its motherboard (or watever its called?) has a sd card slot on it
it doesn’t.
good day then ! (or night , at this time :p)
Dear yasir
Try honor 5x it has sd card
is the camera as good as the note 3? what about the price ?
Kindly ask to Andi
For review and price
Thanks
Good adition to Andi’s review.
Arent you marking the camera bit to highly? Low light conditions pictures are really poor.
Low light pictures are poor in nearly every camera, very few take good low light shots, hardly any take good ones at this price point. Judging by his pictures I would say it’s good not great so about a 7.5/8.
In looking for a new phone again.
Can’t wait for new phones to launch anymore.
I’m was considering this Note3 but it’s kinda ugly and camera isn’t great, I’m probably going to get the MX5
I love my MX5, I am right at the 6 month mark which is when I get sick of a phone and start looking at new ones. This is only the third phone I don’t have that feeling with (Mi3 and Mi4 were the others). If the Mi5 doesn’t blow me away my next phone will be an MX6 or Pro 6.
if like mx5 you can’t say that note 3 is ugly, lol
Yes I can say that
from what i read it is a wonderfull phone. can you say some words about those “weekly”updates ?
The MX5 I have received around 9 updates in 6 months. A Xiaomi phone running MIUI is updated every Friday, and most of the patch fixes are ones that are submitted by the community on the MIUI forums. Sometimes it’s simple fixes like a certain app doesn’t act right, other times it major fixes. But when you buy a Xiaomi you have support unlike any other phone in the business.
Hey Yash, what happened to the Meizu metal review? I had to choose between these 2 handsets and went for the Meizu due to Andi’s review of the Xiaomi, have I made the right decision since you have them both?
Hi, just started using it — had to complete the Redmi Note 3 review before I could. Since I’ve already spend time with the Metal before, a review can be expected early next week. Sorry to keep you waiting!
How’s the Gionee review coming ;)?
Hi Yash ,
Kindly review Honor 5x
Hope this will real compitator to
Letv 1s
Redmi note 3
Metal
Regards
BaigAndroid
it’s there in the waitlist…..
Lets move it to the publish list!
Can you review ZUK Z1? (International version, with cyanogen)
there you go: http://www.gizchina.com/2015/10/27/zuk-z1-review/
screen times are pretty good…
i have a redmi note 3 too and i can say that with heavy usage you can have 6-7hrs of SOT, but i confirm that in sleeping you have to face against kernel wakelocks, that belongs to wifi. other mtk had this issues, that should be patched.
however there were many updates and overall is a great device.
which ROM do you have installed on the phone?
SphinXv2b
Same, so far the best ROM available, and if the easy to achive bootloader unlock tool is never released we better pray that the developer doesn’t stops updating it, still waiting for the sms with my unlock code…
does this sphinx rom still have the bug in the gallery that can’t play video?
Trust me, best ROM is Official China Stable ROM.
if you don’t care having your phone in English, this is the rom you need to install to truly enjoy the Redmi Note 3
Yash, I know you owned a MI4 before so here’s my question:
Are the pictures made with the Note3 as good as the ones made with MI4?
I still feel like some of the best camera phones available are the IMX214 flagships like Mi4, OnePlus One and Xshot. That was an incredible sensor when paired with the right equipment and software.
Well depends how well implemented too. I feel like my Mi Note definitely has a better camera than my OPO and I believe they both use IMX214, The lower apertaure of the Mi Note and OIS definitely helps though in lower light and I actually prefer the MIUI camera app. To be honest though i’m over the 214, better sensors out there now. It iss just pissing me off the way meizu refuse to use OIS and low apertures, I want a meizu phone with an epic camera.
That is why I am all for companies using the same sensors from model to model, they learn about them and figure out the best way to optimize it for their setup.
What I like of my MI4 is the quality of the pics (sunny days with lot of light) and mostly for the zero lag shutter (like Iphones)
This is a feature I really can’t live without.
Without this feature I would probably have no pic of my always moving son
what are the “swipe gestures”? on the Mi4c i mean???
Where did you read that? I can’t find it in the article.
I know that the MI4c has a feature that you can tap on the side of the phone (while on landscape mode) to take a picture.
Maybe that’s feature you are referring to?
Hi Balco, what do you think about the Redmi 3? I would have preferred a mediatek cpu like helio x10 or p10 but the snapdragon 616 might be ok. What do you about sd soc 616? I know it is a rebranded 615. Some others users recommended me to wait for phones with SD SOC 650 or P10, I don’t know what to do but at the same time I am a bit tired to wait for phones. I need a 5inch screen size, a good camera and battery life. Of course at a competitive price. Thanks.
If your not a power user and dont play the most demanding games the SD616 is a good processor.
Thanks balco, I will play some games like Fifa. Anyway, I don’t know what to buy honestly 5.5 inch is way too big for me. Redmi 3 might be a good alternative as the MI4C cost an arm through resellers. The MI5 is way too expensive for me and 16gb storage for the basic model with no SD card is just an insult to people especially in 2016. Moreover, only the white color will be available at the beginning. I would love to go for the MX5 which is very compact for a 5.5inch phone but its price is above my budget. Brand new at 250€ shipping included I will buy it instantly. I have the feeling that Xiaomi is preparing a Xiaomi MI5C which could be the Xiaomi Kenzo with another SOC. TCL is also preparing a new phone. I think that I will wait a couple of weeks to see the anouncements around before to cop a phone. Thanks Balco!
I used to think 5.5 was too big but it really only took a day to get used to it and now there is no way I could go back. I don’t think we’ll see a Mi5c for at least 6 months after the Mi5.
Haha who knows maybe I will go for the Redmi Note 3 Pro because I am very tired to wait for the right phone. 😀
You should go to a local retailer and play around with some 5.5 inch phones just to get a feel for them
Hmmm that’s a tough one. It’s been a while since I used the Mi 4, but thankfully my mum uses one too so I can do a quick comparison. But from what I remember of the Mi 4, it wasn’t a great low-light performer, not as good as the Redmi Note 3 despite having a wider aperture.
Thanks for the reply.
I really don’t care of night time pics since I haven’t seen any good pics out there.
I’m mostly interested on daytime pics and I don’t want to spend a fortune to get a camera centric phone.
So you can confirm that the Note3 takes better pics that the old MI4?
(Sunny daytime pics)
there are many camera sensor manufactures, should be great if they write which one they have in the review model.
each sensor can have a difference from barely to very notable.
The mi4 takes better pictures, i own both and with good light there is little difference but at night the mi4 is way better.
I tried to take a pic of the moon and it was impossible to get a good shot with the note 2 and 3, the mi4 did the job at the first try.
thanks,i really appreciate your contribute
https://youtu.be/UX5j3gSKizI?t=8m10s
you can check this video to make your own opinion…. There is very good comparision. I have Redmi Note 3 and for me the camera is ok, because it’s not a real professional camera, but for regular daily basis it’s really ok. But at the end it looks that Mi4 camera is way better. Also it depends on camera sensor. Mi4 goes some with samsung, some with sony. Sony sernsor is better. Redmi note 3 goes as far as I know only with samsung sensors.
thanks for your help,
i guess ill wait.
Better than an Elephone Vowney for $100 less.
Can you please show us which version of MIUI you have on the device?
I am pretty sure the issue with battery is because of a shitty ROM installed on the phone…
I have the phone with latest Official Stable China ROM and the battery survive almost 2 days of heavy use.
I have seen this in the MIUI forums too, the official stable ROM is much better for battery life and performance in general.
Pretty much this, the ROM used by resellers is utter shit, my note 3 gives me 7 hours of screen time with 2 days of usage or 10 hours of YouTube streaming from 100% to 1%
Hi Yash ,
Kindly review Honor 5x
Hope this will real compitator to
Letv 1s
Redmi note 3
Metal
Regards
BaigAndroid
Will try and get one for review
Thanks yash .
Waiting for review
Oneplus One or Redmi Note 3- which one i should choose? I’m not a gamer, uses phone only for light tasks, but need a good camera, especially for video. TIA.
i’ll buy this if its motherboard (or watever its called?) has a sd card slot on it
it doesn’t.
good day then ! (or night , at this time :p)
Dear yasir
Try honor 5x it has sd card
is the camera as good as the note 3? what about the price ?
Kindly ask to Andi
For review and price
Thanks
Yash, I know you owned a MI4 before so here’s my question:
Are the pictures made with the Note3 as good as the ones made with MI4?
I still feel like some of the best camera phones available are the IMX214 flagships like Mi4, OnePlus One and Xshot. That was an incredible sensor when paired with the right equipment and software.
Hmmm that’s a tough one. It’s been a while since I used the Mi 4, but thankfully my mum uses one too so I can do a quick comparison. But from what I remember of the Mi 4, it wasn’t a great low-light performer, not as good as the Redmi Note 3 despite having a wider aperture.
there are many camera sensor manufactures, should be great if they write which one they have in the review model.
each sensor can have a difference from barely to very notable.
Well depends how well implemented too. I feel like my Mi Note definitely has a better camera than my OPO and I believe they both use IMX214, The lower apertaure of the Mi Note and OIS definitely helps though in lower light and I actually prefer the MIUI camera app. To be honest though i’m over the 214, better sensors out there now. It iss just pissing me off the way meizu refuse to use OIS and low apertures, I want a meizu phone with an epic camera.
Thanks for the reply.
I really don’t care of night time pics since I haven’t seen any good pics out there.
I’m mostly interested on daytime pics and I don’t want to spend a fortune to get a camera centric phone.
So you can confirm that the Note3 takes better pics that the old MI4?
(Sunny daytime pics)
What I like of my MI4 is the quality of the pics (sunny days with lot of light) and mostly for the zero lag shutter (like Iphones)
This is a feature I really can’t live without.
Without this feature I would probably have no pic of my always moving son
That is why I am all for companies using the same sensors from model to model, they learn about them and figure out the best way to optimize it for their setup.
The mi4 takes better pictures, i own both and with good light there is little difference but at night the mi4 is way better.
I tried to take a pic of the moon and it was impossible to get a good shot with the note 2 and 3, the mi4 did the job at the first try.
thanks,i really appreciate your contribute
you can check this video to make your own opinion…. There is very good comparision. I have Redmi Note 3 and for me the camera is ok, because it’s not a real professional camera, but for regular daily basis it’s really ok. But at the end it looks that Mi4 camera is way better. Also it depends on camera sensor. Mi4 goes some with samsung, some with sony. Sony sernsor is better. Redmi note 3 goes as far as I know only with samsung sensors.
thanks for your help,
i guess ill wait.
what are the “swipe gestures”? on the Mi4c i mean???
Where did you read that? I can’t find it in the article.
I know that the MI4c has a feature that you can tap on the side of the phone (while on landscape mode) to take a picture.
Maybe that’s feature you are referring to?
Hi Balco, what do you think about the Redmi 3? I would have preferred a mediatek cpu like helio x10 or p10 but the snapdragon 616 might be ok. What do you about sd soc 616? I know it is a rebranded 615. Some others users recommended me to wait for phones with SD SOC 650 or P10, I don’t know what to do but at the same time I am a bit tired to wait for phones. I need a 5inch screen size, a good camera and battery life. Of course at a competitive price. Thanks.
If your not a power user and dont play the most demanding games the SD616 is a good processor.
Thanks balco, I will play some games like Fifa. Anyway, I don’t know what to buy honestly 5.5 inch is way too big for me. Redmi 3 might be a good alternative as the MI4C cost an arm through resellers. The MI5 is way too expensive for me and 16gb storage for the basic model with no SD card is just an insult to people especially in 2016. Moreover, only the white color will be available at the beginning. I would love to go for the MX5 which is very compact for a 5.5inch phone but its price is above my budget. Brand new at 250€ shipping included I will buy it instantly. I have the feeling that Xiaomi is preparing a Xiaomi MI5C which could be the Xiaomi Kenzo with another SOC. TCL is also preparing a new phone. I think that I will wait a couple of weeks to see the anouncements around before to cop a phone. Thanks Balco!
I used to think 5.5 was too big but it really only took a day to get used to it and now there is no way I could go back. I don’t think we’ll see a Mi5c for at least 6 months after the Mi5.
Haha who knows maybe I will go for the Redmi Note 3 Pro because I am very tired to wait for the right phone. 😀
You should go to a local retailer and play around with some 5.5 inch phones just to get a feel for them
Better than an Elephone Vowney for $100 less.
hope they fixed the battery issues in the future..
want to know the true potential 😀
Oneplus One or Redmi Note 3- which one i should choose? I’m not a gamer, uses phone only for light tasks, but need a good camera, especially for video. TIA.
no GPS on this phone, only camera ???
hope they fixed the battery issues in the future..
want to know the true potential 😀
i really liked that the performance section of the review is just 2 benchmark screenshots
no GPS on this phone, only camera ???
The rear of the phone looks just about OK but the front is an EPIC fail. Just what were they thinking?
they were thinking Meizu, perhaps…
i really liked that the performance section of the review is just 2 benchmark screenshots
The rear of the phone looks just about OK but the front is an EPIC fail. Just what were they thinking?
they were thinking Meizu, perhaps…
Пошли в продажу уже по 140$ на aliexpress!
http://mygip.ru/xiaomi-redmi-3/
Пошли в продажу уже по 140$ на aliexpress!
http://mygip.ru/xiaomi-redmi-3/