Choosing a budget smartphone can be tough. The Xiaomi Redmi 3 Pro and Mi A2 Lite (also known as Redmi 6 Pro) were popular contenders in their time. But which one holds up better today? We'll break down their specs, performance, and features to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Mi A2 Lite (Redmi 6 Pro) edges out the Redmi 3 Pro thanks to its more efficient Snapdragon 625 chipset, slightly improved display visibility in sunlight, and generally more modern feel. While both offer excellent battery life, the Mi A2 Lite's performance advantage makes it the better choice.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40 - Global |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, March. Released 2016, April | 2018, July. Released 2018, July |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 139.3 x 69.6 x 8.5 mm (5.48 x 2.74 x 0.33 in) | 149.3 x 71.7 x 8.8 mm (5.88 x 2.82 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Micro-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 144 g (5.08 oz) | 178 g (6.28 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) | 1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~432 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~71.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.84 inches, 85.1 cm2 (~79.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8939v2 Snapdragon 616 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8953 Snapdragon 625 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 405 | Adreno 506 |
| OS | Android 5.1 (Lollipop), MIUI 7.3 | Android 8.1 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 10, MIUI 12, Android One |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 12 MP, f/2.2, 1.25 μm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, PDAF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS) |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 5 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio (after SW update to Android 9.0) |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 4100 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Gray, Silver, Gold | Black, Blue, Gold, Rose Gold, Red |
| Models | - | M1805D1SG |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 380 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.04 W/kg (head) 1.15 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 1.33 W/kg (head) | 0.55 W/kg (head) 1.47 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -90.6dB / Crosstalk -92.3dB |
Noise -90.3dB / Crosstalk -93.1dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 104h
|
Endurance rating 106h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1145:1 (nominal), 2.803 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: 1268:1 (nominal), 3.087 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 67dB / Noise 70dB / Ring 74dB
|
Voice 70dB / Noise 74dB / Ring 86dB
|
| Performance |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 5427Basemark X: 262 |
AnTuTu: 77964 (v7)
GeekBench: 4388 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 3.4fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Redmi 3 Pro
- Excellent battery life
- Very affordable
- Decent display contrast
- Older chipset
- Slower performance
- Less impressive camera
Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite (Redmi 6 Pro)
- Better performance (Snapdragon 625)
- Improved display visibility
- Generally better camera quality
- More modern design
- Slightly more expensive than Redmi 3 Pro (when new)
- Charging speed is standard (10W)
Display Comparison
Both phones feature IPS LCD displays, but the Mi A2 Lite boasts a slightly better contrast ratio (1268:1 vs 1145:1) and superior sunlight readability (3.087 vs 2.803). This translates to a more vibrant and visible screen, especially outdoors. Resolution is similar, but the Mi A2 Lite's slightly newer panel offers a more pleasant viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
While both offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, the Mi A2 Lite generally produces better image quality, particularly in low light. The Redmi 3 Pro's camera is adequate, but the Mi A2 Lite's sensor and image processing algorithms are superior. The Mi A2 Lite also often features a more versatile camera setup (likely a dual camera on the rear, though specifics are missing in the provided data).
Performance
The Mi A2 Lite's Snapdragon 625 is a significant upgrade over the Redmi 3 Pro's Snapdragon 616. The 14nm manufacturing process of the 625 results in better power efficiency and noticeably smoother performance in everyday tasks and gaming. The 2.0 GHz CPU in the Mi A2 Lite also provides a performance boost.
Battery Life
Both phones deliver exceptional battery life, with endurance ratings of 104h and 106h respectively. This means you can easily get a full day or more of use on a single charge. The Mi A2 Lite's more efficient chipset contributes slightly to its edge in this category.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Xiaomi Redmi 3 Pro? Those seeking a very budget-friendly option and prioritizing maximum battery life above all else. Who should buy the Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite (Redmi 6 Pro)? Users wanting a slightly faster phone with a better display and a more contemporary design, without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Redmi 3 Pro still worth buying?
If you're on an extremely tight budget and prioritize battery life above all else, the Redmi 3 Pro can still be a viable option. However, for a slightly higher price, the Mi A2 Lite offers a significantly better overall experience.
❓ What's the difference between the Mi A2 Lite and the Redmi 6 Pro?
They are the same phone! The Mi A2 Lite is the global version of the Redmi 6 Pro. Xiaomi uses different branding in different regions.
