The Sony Xperia M2 Aqua and Xiaomi Redmi 3 were popular budget contenders in their time. Both offered compelling features for their price point, but significant differences exist. This comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and overall value to help you decide which phone is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi 3 emerges as the clear winner. While the Xperia M2 Aqua boasts impressive battery endurance, the Redmi 3's superior processor, larger screen, and slightly better camera provide a more modern and enjoyable user experience, especially considering their age.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all models | GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - D2403 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - D2403 | 1, 3, 7, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | 2, 4, 7, 17 - D2406 | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, August. Released 2014, September | 2016, January. Released 2016, January |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 140 x 72 x 8.6 mm (5.51 x 2.83 x 0.34 in) | 139.3 x 69.6 x 8.5 mm (5.48 x 2.74 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Nano-SIM + Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 149 g (5.26 oz) | 144 g (5.08 oz) |
| | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | - |
| Resolution | 540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~229 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.8 inches, 63.5 cm2 (~63.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~71.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 | Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8926-2 Snapdragon 400 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8939v2 Snapdragon 616 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 305 | Adreno 405 |
| OS | Android 4.4.2 (KitKat), upgradable to 5.1.1 (Lollipop) | Android 5.1 (Lollipop), MIUI 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 1GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP, f/2.4, (depth) |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.4, AF | 13 MP, f/2.0, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, HDR | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | VGA | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 480p | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, aptX, LE | 4.1, A2DP |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | ANT+ | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Music play | Up to 37 h 11 min | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 595 h (2G) / Up to 641 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 11 h 23 min (2G) / Up to 12 h 11 min (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 2300 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 4100 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Copper | Gold, Dark Gray, Silver, Classic Gold |
| Models | D2403, D2406 | 2015816 |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 160 EUR |
| SAR | 0.69 W/kg (head) 1.25 W/kg (body) | 0.90 W/kg (head) 0.56 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.66 W/kg (head) 0.86 W/kg (body) | 1.33 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 71h
|
Endurance rating 107h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Battery (old) | Endurance rating 71h | Endurance rating 107h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
Sony Xperia M2 Aqua
- Excellent battery life
- Water resistant design
- Compact size
- Reliable Sony brand
- Outdated processor
- Smaller screen
- Lower resolution display
- Less responsive performance
Xiaomi Redmi 3
- Better performance
- Larger display
- Improved camera
- More modern design
- Larger battery capacity
- No official water resistance
- Plastic build quality
- Can feel slightly bulky
Display Comparison
The Redmi 3 features a 5.0-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels, offering a slightly larger and more vibrant viewing experience compared to the M2 Aqua's 4.8-inch display. Color reproduction and viewing angles are noticeably better on the Redmi 3.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer decent camera capabilities for their time. The Redmi 3 generally captures slightly better images with more detail and accurate colors, thanks to its more advanced processor and image processing algorithms. Low-light performance is also marginally better on the Redmi 3. Both have standard photo/video capabilities.
Performance
The Redmi 3's Octa-core Snapdragon 616 processor significantly outperforms the M2 Aqua's Quad-core Snapdragon 400. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive overall user experience. Gaming performance is also considerably better on the Redmi 3.
Battery Life
The Xperia M2 Aqua holds a slight edge in raw battery endurance, boasting a reported 71 hours. However, the Redmi 3's 4100mAh battery (vs M2 Aqua's 2400mAh) provides excellent longevity, achieving a reported 107 hours, and the difference in real-world usage is less pronounced due to the Redmi 3's more efficient processor.
Buying Guide
The Sony Xperia M2 Aqua is a decent choice for users prioritizing extreme battery life and a compact form factor, especially if found at a very low price. The Xiaomi Redmi 3 is ideal for those seeking a smoother performance, a larger display, and a more versatile camera, making it a better all-around budget option.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Xperia M2 Aqua still worth buying?
Only if you prioritize extreme battery life and find it at a significantly discounted price. Otherwise, the Redmi 3 offers a much better overall experience.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Xiaomi Redmi 3 is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful processor and graphics capabilities.
❓ Does the Xperia M2 Aqua have water resistance?
Yes, the Xperia M2 Aqua is water resistant, offering some protection against splashes and rain.
