The smartphone market is overflowing with options, but finding a great phone without breaking the bank can be a challenge. Today, we pit two contenders against each other: the ultra-budget Spice Fire One (Mi-FX-1) and the older, but still capable, Xiaomi Mi 3. Let's see which one offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Mi 3 is the clear winner. While the Spice Fire One is incredibly affordable, the Mi 3's superior processor, better camera, and significantly longer battery life make it the more compelling choice, despite its age. It offers a much smoother and more enjoyable user experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | - | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| EDGE | Class 12 | - |
| GPRS | Class 12 | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM | GSM / HSPA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, August. Released 2014, August | 2013, September. Released 2013, December |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 115.6 x 62 x 11.2 mm (4.55 x 2.44 x 0.44 in) | 144 x 73.6 x 8.1 mm (5.67 x 2.90 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Mini-SIM) | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 65 g (2.29 oz) | 145 g (5.11 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~165 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~441 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.5 inches, 36.5 cm2 (~50.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~65.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT, 256K colors | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.0 GHz | Quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 |
| Chipset | Spreadtrum 6821 | Qualcomm MSM8274AB Snapdragon 800 (28 nm) |
| GPU | - | Adreno 330 |
| OS | Firefox OS | Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 6.0 (Marshmallow), MIUI 5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 256MB 128MB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | Dual-LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 1.3 MP | 13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), AF |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps, HDR |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | VGA | 2 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, dual speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP | 4.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | No | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| | MP4/H.263 player
MP3/AAC player | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired, QC2 |
| Music play | Up to 20 h | Up to 50 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 120 h | Up to 500 h |
| Talk time | Up to 8 h | Up to 25 h |
| Type | Li-Ion 1400 mAh battery | Li-Ion 3050 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White, Black, Orange | White, Gray, Black, Yellow, Pink, Blue, Gold, Green |
| Price | - | About 200 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.74 W/kg (head) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -91.5dB / Crosstalk -44.2dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 66h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 907 (nominal), 2.001 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 69dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB |
Spice Fire One (Mi-FX-1)
- Extremely affordable
- Compact size (likely)
- Weak processor
- Poor camera
- Short battery life
- Limited features
- Unknown display quality
Xiaomi Mi 3
- Powerful processor
- Good camera
- Excellent battery life
- Better display
- QC2 Charging
- Older model
- May lack latest software updates
- Potentially limited availability
Display Comparison
Both phones feature displays with a surprisingly good contrast ratio of 907 (nominal) and 2.001 in sunlight, indicating good visibility even outdoors. However, the Mi 3 likely has a slightly better panel due to its higher resolution and potentially better color accuracy, though specific details are scarce for the Fire One. The Mi 3's screen is generally considered to be of higher quality.
Camera Comparison
The Mi 3 boasts a dedicated camera module, allowing for both photo and video capture. While the exact megapixel count isn't specified, the Snapdragon 800 chipset provides better image processing capabilities. The Spice Fire One's camera is likely a basic unit, offering limited features and image quality. The Mi 3 will produce significantly better photos and videos.
Performance
This is where the Mi 3 truly shines. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 chipset with a quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 CPU is significantly more powerful than the Spreadtrum 6821 and 1.0 GHz CPU in the Spice Fire One. Expect noticeably faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall experience on the Mi 3. The Fire One will likely struggle with demanding apps and multitasking.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi Mi 3's endurance rating of 66 hours is exceptional, showcasing its excellent battery life. The Spice Fire One's battery capacity is unknown, but given its weaker processor and likely smaller battery, it will almost certainly offer significantly less battery life than the Mi 3.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Spice Fire One (Mi-FX-1)? Those on the absolute tightest budget who primarily need a basic phone for calls and texts. Who should buy the Xiaomi Mi 3? Anyone looking for a reliable, feature-rich phone at a budget-friendly price, willing to accept an older model.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Spice Fire One worth buying?
Only if you're on an extremely tight budget and only need basic calling and texting functionality. Otherwise, the Xiaomi Mi 3 offers much better value.
❓ Where can I find a Xiaomi Mi 3?
As it's an older model, finding a new Mi 3 can be difficult. You'll likely need to look on online marketplaces or from resellers.
