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Xiaomi Mi3
Xiaomi Mi3
Xiaomi Mi3
Xiaomi Mi3
...


8.3/10
Informr score
The Xiaomi Mi3 currently has an Informr score of 8.3 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 8 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

What's good

  • Excellent price
  • Snappy performance
  • Beautiful screen
  • Quality design

What's bad

  • No 4G LTE support
  • No MicroSD support
  • Limited availability

Xiaomi has been on a mission to prove there is room in the top of the pack for a new manufacturer. With its own take on Android, quality designs and high-end specs at mid-tier prices, the company is turning heads in China. Will the Mi3 stack up to the pre-release hype? Let’s look at the reviews and find out.

One of the biggest things mentioned in many reviews of the devices is the astounding build quality. The plastic shell fits the metal chassis like a glove. Sleek lines and a large 5-inch 1080p screen create a clean look that most reviews applaud. MakeUseOf noted the build quality stating, “the device feels solid and well-built.” So solid, in fact, that CNet mistakenly thought it had a metal body initially.

The phone features a 2.3GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor--one of the more powerful chipsets currently available. Backed with 2GB of RAM, reviews found no issues in performance or multitasking. MakeUseOf said, “The phone never lagged, no matter what I did with it” and called it “an absolute beast in the specs department.” Gizmodo India stated that it “packs quite a punch to rival higher-priced smartphones in the market.”

The Mi3 includes 16GB of internal storage, 12GB of which is accessible to the user. Unfortunately, it doesn’t include a MicroSD slot for expanded storage. It’s also lacking 4G LTE support meaning you’ll have to settle for slower data transfers when you’re not in range of a Wi-Fi signal.

The 3,050mAh internal battery isn’t replaceable. Fortunately, reviews found the battery to be more than enough with MakeUseOf finding that it “easily lasted more more than a day of moderate use.”

The phone also includes bluetooth, NFC and Wireless N support as well as a 13MP, dual-flash rear camera. Reviews noted that low light performance was a little weak but otherwise found the camera a joy to use. However, lack of a dedicated shutter button means you’ll be tapping the screen to snap pictures and can make for difficulty pulling off the perfect shot.

In all, the device receives rave reviews, comparing it to the likes of Sony, LG and Motorola but at a much lower price point. CNet summed up the reviews best when they said “Xiaomi's competitors should start paying attention. It's hard to deny how much value Xiaomi has packed into this phone.”


Android
Operating system
Operating system
Android
2.3 GHz
Processor
Processor
2.3 GHz
5"
Screen Size
Screen Size
5"
13+ MP
Camera
Camera
13+ MP
3050 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


Gadgets 360
Gadgets 360

The Xiaomi Mi 3 is a sensational product. Competitors, especially Indian companies, should be very afraid. If Xiaomi keeps going the way it has begun, it could easily take over the entire Indian market. We'll have to wait a while to see how the company's after-sales network shapes up, but that shoul...

- Jamshed Avari, Gadgets 360
GSMArena
GSMArena

The company's best-selling phone to date packing top-notch technology and blazing-fast Android experience.

- GSMArena team, GSMArena
TrustedReviews
TrustedReviews

The Xiaomi Mi3 is a great-looking, well-made phone with great hardware that isn’t always made the most of by the software, at least if you're westerner importing it. This is a phone designed for a Chinese audience, and just about every part of its interface is designed for that crowd. We are s...

- Evan Kypreos, TrustedReviews
TechRadar
TechRadar

A superb phone offering high-end performance and an interesting, angular physical design that helps it stand out from the masses of other budget Android models.

- Gary Cutlack, TechRadar
Tech Ticker
Tech Ticker

One of the things that makes Xiaomi Mi 3 tempting is the price tag. Given the hardware and performance, the phone blows Moto G and other similarly priced devices out of the water. That said, the biggest bane of Mi 3 is the limited internal storage. There’s no microSD expansion slot and while M...

- Kunal Gangar, Tech Ticker


Prices (Where to Buy)




Common Questions


Xiaomi backs up the Mi3 with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.


If your Mi3 has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Xiaomi support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Xiaomi's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.




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Quick view

Screen Size
5"

The Xiaomi Mi3's screen size is 5 inches with x pixels resolution.

Processor
2.3 GHz

There is a Qualcomm MSM8974AB Snapdragon 800 Quad core 2.3 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The phone runs on the Android 4.2.1 Jelly Bean (Update Available: Android 4.4 KitKat) operating system (OS).

Camera
13+ MP

You can take photos or capture video with the phone's onboard 13+ MP camera.

There is also a secondary front facing camera with 2+ megapixels resolution.

Storage
16/64 GB

Internal memory is 16/64 GB. No external card slot is available for expansion.

Battery
3050mAh

The phone is powered by a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), 3050 mAh battery. Xiaomi's performance ratings are 20.8 days standby time, 1500 minutes, 484 minutes Wi-Fi surfing.

Xiaomi Mi3 Specs

Overview
Release Date November 29, 2013
Regions Available USA
Operating System Android 4.2.1 Jelly Bean (Update Available: Android 4.4 KitKat)

Compare Android Smartphones

Processor Qualcomm MSM8974AB Snapdragon 800 Quad core 2.3 GHz
Internal Storage 16/64 GB
RAM 2 GB
Hearing Aid Compatible No
TTY/TDD No
Noise Cancellation Yes
SAR Unknown
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included AC Charger, Manual, Standard Battery
Cellular
Networks
GPRS, EDGE, HSUPA, HSPA+, LTE
Mobile / Cellular Data
4G/LTE
Push-to-talk (PTT) No
Wi-Fi Calling No
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) No
SIM card size
Micro-SIM
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB Micro-USB 2.0
USB OTG Support No
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared No
Bluetooth 4.0
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
Mobile Hotspot Yes
Memory Expansion Slot No
Expansion Slot Info
NFC Yes
Data Tethering Compatibility Yes
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
13+ Megapixels
Zoom
Yes
Flash
Yes (Dual LED)
Additional Rear Camera Info
Auto focus, Face detection, Geotagging, Image stabilization, Smile detection, HDR
Video Recording Formats
3GP / 3GPP, MPEG-4
Video Recording Parameters
Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels), 30 fps
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
2+ Megapixels
Additional Front Camera Info
No
Video Recording Parameters
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology LCD (IPS)
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution x pixels
Pixel Density 441 pixels
Size 5 inches
Secondary Display No
Sensors Ambient Light, Proximity, Motion / Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Digital Compass
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features Capacitive touch screen, Glove friendly screen
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Capacity 3050 mAh
Removable Battery No
Wireless Charging No
Fast Charging No
Video Playback Time Up to 568 minutes
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Up to 484 minutes
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Talk Time Up to 1500 minutes
Standby Time Up to 20.8 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Bar
Material Magnesium alloy
Colors White, Silver, Black, Yellow, Pink, Blue, Green
Dimensions [H x W x D] 14.4 x 7.4 x 0.8 cm (5.7 x 2.9 x 0.3 in)
Weight 145 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Unknown
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers Yes
Input / Navigation
Sleep / Wake Key Yes
Home Key Yes
Input / Keyboard Type Touchscreen
Navigation Type Touchscreen
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor No
More
Additional Information Messaging: SMS, MMS, Google Talk
Multi-Use Smart Phone / PDA: Yes
Graphics: Yes
Backlit Illumination: Yes
Zoom / Magnification: Yes
Screen Orientation Lock: Yes
Predictive Text Entry: Yes
Voice Commands: Yes
Keypad/Screen Lock: Yes
Contact List Capacity: 500
Multiple Numbers Per Contact: Email address, Other fields
Contact Groups: Yes
Voice Activated Dialing: Yes
Photo Caller ID: Yes
Web Browser: Yes
Email Client: Yes
Email Protocols: POP3, IMAP, SMTP, Microsoft Exchange
PC Synchronization: No
ECML / Digital Wallet: Yes
Audio Formats: MP3, AMR-WB, AMR, WAV
Video Playback Formats: 3GP / 3GPP, MPEG-4
Streaming Video: Yes
Custom Ringtones: Yes
Vibration Alert: Yes
Downloadable Ringtones: Yes
Ringer ID: Yes
Speakerphone: Yes
Haptic Feedback: Yes
Data Tethering: Yes
Mobile Hotspot: Yes
Radio: Yes (FM)
Viewable document types: DOC, HTML, TXT
Games: Downloadable
Apps: Downloadable
Included Software / Apps: -
Calendar, World Clock, Alarm, Calculator, Maps, Voice Memos / Recorder

Other Names (AKA):

Alternative variant: Processor: Intel NVIDIA Tegra 4 Quad core 1800 MHz
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