Xiaomi offers a diverse range of devices, from smartwatches to flagship smartphones. Today, we're pitting the Xiaomi Redmi Watch 2 Lite, a budget-friendly smartwatch, against the Xiaomi Mi 3, a slightly older but still capable smartphone. This comparison will help you determine which device best suits your needs and budget.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Mi 3 wins overall due to its smartphone functionality, powerful chipset, and impressive battery life. However, the Redmi Watch 2 Lite excels as a dedicated smartwatch offering fitness tracking and notifications at a significantly lower price point. It depends on what you need: a phone or a smartwatch.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | N/A | - |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | No | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA |
| | No | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, November 01 | 2013, September. Released 2013, December |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, November 11 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 41.2 x 35.3 x 10.7 mm (1.62 x 1.39 x 0.42 in) | 144 x 73.6 x 8.1 mm (5.67 x 2.90 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | No | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 35 g (1.23 oz) | 145 g (5.11 oz) |
| | Waterproof (5ATM)
50m water resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 360 x 320 pixels (~311 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~441 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.55 inches | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~65.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 |
| Chipset | - | Qualcomm MSM8274AB Snapdragon 800 (28 nm) |
| GPU | - | Adreno 330 |
| OS | Proprietary OS | Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 6.0 (Marshmallow), MIUI 5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | Unspecified | 16GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Dual-LED flash, HDR |
| Single | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), AF |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps, HDR |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | - | 2 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | No | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | No | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | No | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, heart rate, gyro, compass, SpO2 | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired, QC2 |
| Music play | - | Up to 50 h |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 500 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 25 h |
| Type | Li-Ion 262 mAh | Li-Ion 3050 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Ivory | White, Gray, Black, Yellow, Pink, Blue, Gold, Green |
| Price | About 50 EUR | About 200 EUR |
| 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 |
Xiaomi Redmi Watch 2 Lite
- Affordable
- Fitness tracking
- Notification alerts
- Lightweight
- Long battery life (for a smartwatch)
- Limited functionality
- Small display
- Basic camera (or none)
- Less powerful processor
Xiaomi Mi 3
- Powerful processor
- Large display
- Good camera
- Long battery life
- Full smartphone functionality
- Older model
- Potentially larger size
- May lack latest features
- Higher price than Watch 2 Lite
Display Comparison
Both devices boast impressive contrast ratios (907 nominal, 2.001 in sunlight), suggesting excellent visibility. However, the Mi 3's display is significantly larger and offers a full smartphone experience, while the Watch 2 Lite's display is smaller and optimized for glanceable information. The Mi 3 likely has a higher resolution as well.
Camera Comparison
The Mi 3 includes a camera for both photo and video capture, offering a versatile imaging experience. The Watch 2 Lite, being a smartwatch, typically has a basic camera or no camera at all for limited functionality like taking quick photos. The Mi 3's camera will be significantly superior in terms of quality and features.
Performance
The Mi 3's Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 chipset and quad-core Krait 400 CPU provide considerably more processing power than the Watch 2 Lite, which relies on a less powerful processor designed for smartwatch tasks. The Mi 3 can handle demanding apps and games, while the Watch 2 Lite is focused on efficient operation for its core functions.
Battery Life
The Mi 3 boasts an impressive endurance rating of 66 hours, indicating excellent battery life. The Redmi Watch 2 Lite, while efficient, will have a smaller battery capacity and shorter overall battery life compared to the Mi 3, likely lasting several days on a single charge.
Buying Guide
The Xiaomi Redmi Watch 2 Lite is ideal for fitness enthusiasts and those seeking a simple smartwatch for notifications and basic health tracking on a budget. The Xiaomi Mi 3 is a better choice for users needing a fully functional smartphone with a decent camera, performance, and long battery life, especially if they appreciate a compact form factor.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Can the Redmi Watch 2 Lite replace my smartphone?
No, the Redmi Watch 2 Lite is a smartwatch and cannot replace a smartphone. It offers limited functionality and relies on a paired smartphone for many features.
❓ Is the Xiaomi Mi 3 still worth buying in [current year]?
The Xiaomi Mi 3 remains a viable option for users seeking a compact and capable smartphone, especially if budget is a concern. However, newer models offer more advanced features and performance.
