Xiaomi's Redmi and Mi series have consistently offered excellent value for money. The Mi Note 3 and Redmi Note 3 are two popular contenders, each with its strengths. This comparison will break down their key differences to help you decide which phone is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Mi Note 3 boasts a faster processor and quicker charging, while the Redmi Note 3 excels with slightly better battery life and a more mature design. Ultimately, the Mi Note 3 offers a more modern experience, but the Redmi Note 3 remains a compelling budget option.
| 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 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - Global |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 38, 39, 40, 41 - Global |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 40 - Special edition (Taiwan) |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2017, September. Released 2017, September | 2016, January 14. Released 2016, March 03 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 152.6 x 74 x 7.6 mm (6.01 x 2.91 x 0.30 in) | 150 x 76 x 8.7 mm (5.91 x 2.99 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 163 g (5.75 oz) | 164 g (5.78 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~73.8% 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 (4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Hexa-core (4x1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 & 2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A72) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 (14 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8956 Snapdragon 650 |
| GPU | Adreno 512 | Adreno 510 |
| OS | Android 7.1 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 9, MIUI 12 | Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), MIUI 9.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM (Standard version), 32GB 3GB RAM (High/Special version) |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 12 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), PDAF, 4-axis OIS
12 MP, f/2.6, 52mm (telephoto), AF, 2x optical zoom | - |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, 28mm (wide), AF | 16 MP, f/2.0, PDAF |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 720p@120fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm | 5 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio
| 24-bit/192kHz audio
|
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | Stereo FM radio, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, QC3 | 10W wired |
| Music play | Up to 54 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 17 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 3500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4050 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Silver, Gray, Gold |
| Models | MCE8 | 2015116, 2015161 |
| Price | About 280 EUR | About 160 EUR |
| SAR | 0.50 W/kg (head) 1.54 W/kg (body) | 0.49 W/kg (head) 0.50 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.29 W/kg (head) 0.39 W/kg (body) | 0.56 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -95.2dB / Crosstalk -93.4dB |
Noise -96.0dB / Crosstalk -95.6dB |
| Battery life | Endurance rating 83h | Endurance rating 93h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.679 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: 953:1 (nominal), 2.249 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 64dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 73dB |
Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB |
| Performance |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 813Basemark X: 4802 |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 1426Basemark X: 14717 |
Xiaomi Mi Note 3
- Faster Processor (Snapdragon 660)
- Faster Charging (18W QC3)
- Better Sunlight Display Visibility
- Potentially Improved Camera
- Slightly Lower Battery Endurance
- Potentially Higher Price
Xiaomi Redmi Note 3
- Longer Battery Life (93h)
- Proven and Reliable Design
- Generally More Affordable
- Slower Processor (Snapdragon 650)
- Slower Charging (10W)
- Less Sunlight Visibility on Display
Display Comparison
The Mi Note 3's display, while lacking specific resolution details, boasts a significantly better contrast ratio in sunlight (3.679 vs 2.249), suggesting improved visibility outdoors. The Redmi Note 3's contrast ratio is respectable at 953:1, but the Mi Note 3 has a clear advantage in bright conditions. Both likely use IPS LCD panels.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are sparse for both devices. However, given the newer chipset in the Mi Note 3, it's likely to have a slightly more advanced camera system with better image processing. Both phones likely offer decent image quality for their price range, but the Mi Note 3 may have a slight edge in low-light conditions.
Performance
The Mi Note 3's Snapdragon 660 offers a noticeable performance boost over the Redmi Note 3's Snapdragon 650. The 660's newer architecture and 14nm process provide better efficiency and speed, resulting in smoother multitasking and faster app loading times. Gaming performance will also be superior on the Mi Note 3.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 3 holds a slight advantage in battery endurance, with an 83h rating compared to the Mi Note 3's 93h. However, the Mi Note 3's 18W fast charging significantly reduces charging times, offsetting the slightly lower endurance.
Buying Guide
The Xiaomi Mi Note 3 is ideal for users who prioritize performance and faster charging. It's a good choice for those who want a smoother experience with demanding apps and games. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 is best suited for budget-conscious buyers who value long battery life and a reliable, proven design. It's a great option for everyday use and media consumption.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Mi Note 3 worth the extra cost over the Redmi Note 3?
If performance and fast charging are important to you, the Mi Note 3 is worth the upgrade. However, if you prioritize battery life and a lower price, the Redmi Note 3 remains a solid choice.
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Xiaomi Mi Note 3's Snapdragon 660 processor provides significantly better gaming performance compared to the Redmi Note 3's Snapdragon 650.
