Released in 2016, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 and Oppo A59 represented compelling options in the burgeoning budget smartphone market. Both aimed to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, but they took different approaches to achieve this. This comparison revisits these devices, analyzing their strengths and weaknesses to determine which holds up better today, considering their original price points and target audiences.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a balance of performance and longevity, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 emerges as the stronger choice. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 650 chipset, featuring Cortex-A72 cores, provides a noticeable performance edge over the Oppo A59’s Mediatek MT6750, while both phones offer comparable battery life.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - Global |
| 4G bands | 3, 7, 38, 39, 40, 41 - A59t | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 38, 39, 40, 41 - Global |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 40 - Special edition (Taiwan) |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, June. Released 2016, June | 2016, January 14. Released 2016, March 03 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 154.5 x 76 x 7.4 mm (6.08 x 2.99 x 0.29 in) | 150 x 76 x 8.7 mm (5.91 x 2.99 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Hybrid Dual SIM | Nano-SIM + Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 160 g (5.64 oz) | 164 g (5.78 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~71.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 82.6 cm2 (~72.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Hexa-core (4x1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 & 2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A72) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6750 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8956 Snapdragon 650 |
| GPU | Mali-T860MP2 | Adreno 510 |
| OS | Android 5.1 (Lollipop), ColorOS 3 | Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), MIUI 9.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM (Standard version), 32GB 3GB RAM (High/Special version) |
| | - | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, PDAF | 16 MP, f/2.0, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.4µm | 5 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio
|
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP | 4.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | Stereo FM radio, recording |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3075 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4050 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gold, Rose Gold | Silver, Gray, Gold |
| Models | - | 2015116, 2015161 |
| Price | About 290 EUR | About 160 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.49 W/kg (head) 0.50 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.56 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -96.0dB / Crosstalk -95.6dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 93h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 953:1 (nominal), 2.249 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB |
| Performance | - |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 1426Basemark X: 14717 |
Oppo A59 (2016)
- Simple and user-friendly interface
- Potentially more affordable at launch
- Decent battery life
- Inferior processor performance compared to the Redmi Note 3
- Less responsive multitasking
- Likely weaker camera image processing
Xiaomi Redmi Note 3
- More powerful Snapdragon 650 processor
- Better gaming performance
- Superior camera image processing
- MIUI software can be resource intensive
- Potentially slightly higher price at launch
- May require more frequent software updates
Display Comparison
Both the Oppo A59 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 share a similar display contrast ratio of 953:1 (nominal) and 2.249 (sunlight), suggesting comparable outdoor visibility. However, detailed panel specifications like resolution and color gamut are missing. Given the market segment, both likely utilized IPS LCD panels. The Redmi Note 3’s display size is a common 5.5 inches, while the A59’s is also around 5.5 inches, meaning the viewing experience is likely similar in terms of pixel density. Without further data, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the Redmi Note 3’s slightly better overall build quality may translate to a marginally more durable display.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, and image processing are absent. Given the era, both likely featured 13MP main cameras. However, Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 650 generally offers superior image processing capabilities, resulting in better dynamic range and noise reduction compared to the Mediatek MT6750’s ISP. The Redmi Note 3 likely captures more detailed and vibrant photos, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The lack of information prevents a detailed comparison of front-facing cameras.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 3’s Qualcomm MSM8956 Snapdragon 650 utilizes a hexa-core configuration with two high-performance Cortex-A72 cores clocked at 1.8 GHz, paired with four Cortex-A53 cores at 1.4 GHz. This architecture provides a significant advantage in single-core performance compared to the Oppo A59’s Mediatek MT6750. The MT6750 employs an octa-core setup with all cores being Cortex-A53, split between 1.5 GHz and 1.0 GHz. While the MT6750 has more cores, the A72 cores in the Snapdragon 650 deliver superior performance per core. This translates to faster app loading times and smoother multitasking on the Redmi Note 3. The Snapdragon 650 also benefits from Qualcomm’s optimized GPU, offering a better gaming experience.
Battery Life
Both the Oppo A59 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 boast an endurance rating of 93 hours, indicating similar battery life under typical usage. The Redmi Note 3 supports 10W wired charging, while the A59’s charging speed is also likely around 10W. The comparable endurance ratings suggest that despite potential differences in battery capacity (which isn’t specified), both devices are optimized for efficient power consumption. The Snapdragon 650’s power efficiency contributes to the Redmi Note 3’s strong battery performance.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A59 (2016) if you prioritize a simple, user-friendly experience and are less concerned with demanding applications or gaming. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 if you prefer a more powerful processor for smoother multitasking, occasional gaming, and a device that feels more responsive overall. The Redmi Note 3 is the better option for users who value performance within a budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Mediatek MT6750 in the Oppo A59 capable of running modern apps smoothly?
While the MT6750 can handle basic tasks like calling, texting, and social media, it will struggle with more demanding applications and multitasking. Modern apps are increasingly resource-intensive, and the MT6750’s Cortex-A53 cores lack the performance needed for a fluid experience.
❓ Does the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 support software updates beyond Android 6.0 Marshmallow?
The Redmi Note 3 originally shipped with Android 6.0 Marshmallow and received updates to MIUI 8 based on Android 7.0 Nougat. However, official support has ended, and it’s unlikely to receive further major Android version updates. Custom ROMs are available for those willing to explore them.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 650 handle gaming on the Redmi Note 3?
The Snapdragon 650 is capable of running many popular games from 2016 and earlier at medium settings. While it won’t deliver a high-end gaming experience, it provides a significantly smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience compared to the Oppo A59’s MT6750.
