Xiaomi Redmi 3s Prime vs Redmi Note 3: The Ultimate Showdown

Xiaomi's Redmi series has long been a favorite for budget-conscious smartphone users. The Redmi 3s Prime and Redmi Note 3 were popular contenders, but which one offered the better value? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their features to help you make an informed decision.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Redmi Note 3 edges out the 3s Prime thanks to its superior Snapdragon 650 chipset, slightly better battery life, and impressive display contrast. While both offer excellent value, the Note 3 provides a more refined and powerful experience.

PHONES
Phone Names	Xiaomi Redmi 3s Prime	Xiaomi Redmi Note 3

Network
2G bands	GSM 900 / 1800 - SIM 1 & SIM 2	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2
3G bands	HSDPA 900 / 2100 - India	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - Global
4G bands	3, 5, 40 - India	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 / HSPA / LTE	GSM / HSPA / LTE
	1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 40 - Global	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 40 - Special edition (Taiwan)

Launch
Announced	2016, August. Released 2016, August	2016, January 14. Released 2016, March 03
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)	150 x 76 x 8.7 mm (5.91 x 2.99 x 0.34 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Micro-SIM	Nano-SIM + Micro-SIM
Weight	144 g (5.08 oz)	164 g (5.78 oz)

Display
Resolution	720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density)	1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)
Size	5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~71.1% 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 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53	Hexa-core (4x1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 & 2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A72)
Chipset	Qualcomm MSM8937 Snapdragon 430 (28 nm)	Qualcomm MSM8956 Snapdragon 650
GPU	Adreno 505	Adreno 510
OS	Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), MIUI 9.2	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 5.1	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	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
	-	24-bit/192kHz audio

Comms
Bluetooth	4.1, A2DP, LE	4.1, A2DP, LE
Infrared port	Yes	Yes
NFC	No	No
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, BDS	GPS, GLONASS, BDS
Radio	FM radio	Stereo FM radio, recording
USB	microUSB 2.0	microUSB 2.0, OTG
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot

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 4050 mAh, non-removable

Misc
Colors	Gold, Dark Gray, Silver	Silver, Gray, Gold
Models	-	2015116, 2015161
Price	About 150 EUR	About 160 EUR
SAR	-	0.49 W/kg (head) 0.50 W/kg (body)
SAR EU	0.62 W/kg (head) 0.43 W/kg (body)	0.56 W/kg (head)

Tests
Audio quality	-	Noise -96.0dB / Crosstalk -95.6dB
Battery life	Endurance rating 85h	Endurance rating 93h
Camera	Photo / Video	Photo / Video
Display	-	Contrast ratio: 953:1 (nominal), 2.249 (sunlight)
Loudspeaker	-	Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB
Performance	GFXBench: 4.9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)	Basemark OS II 2.0: 1426Basemark X: 14717

Xiaomi Redmi 3s Prime

Affordable
Decent battery life
Compact size

Less powerful processor
Average display
Older chipset

Xiaomi Redmi Note 3

Better performance
Superior display
Slightly longer battery life
Premium feel

Slightly larger size
Charging speed could be faster

Display Comparison

The Redmi Note 3 boasts a significantly better display, particularly in sunlight. Its contrast ratio of 953:1 (nominal) and 2.249 (sunlight) provides vibrant colors and excellent visibility, surpassing the 3s Prime's display which lacked specific contrast ratio data but was generally considered adequate. Both phones feature a 5.5-inch display, but the Note 3's quality is noticeably superior.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature a standard camera setup for their time. While specific camera specs are missing, reviews generally indicated the Note 3 produced slightly better image quality, particularly in low-light conditions, due to the more powerful processor assisting image processing. Video recording capabilities were comparable.

Performance

The Redmi Note 3's Snapdragon 650 chipset is a clear winner here. Its hexa-core processor (4x1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 & 2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A72) offers a substantial performance boost over the 3s Prime's Octa-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 Snapdragon 430. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and improved gaming performance on the Note 3.

Battery Life

Both phones offer impressive battery life, with the Redmi Note 3 holding a slight advantage with an endurance rating of 93h compared to the 3s Prime's 85h. Both should easily last a full day of moderate use.

Buying Guide

The Redmi 3s Prime is a solid choice for users prioritizing affordability and basic functionality. The Redmi Note 3 is ideal for those seeking better performance, a brighter display, and a more premium feel without breaking the bank.