Even if are content with your Xiaomi Mi3 smartphone, the news of Mi4 launch in India must be itching your brain on whether or not to make an upgrade. To help make the decision easier, here is a comparison of Mi4 and Mi3 smartphones and reasons why the upgrade can be gratifying.
After months of speculation, Xiaomi finally revealed that the Mi4 smartphone will make its India debut on 28 January 28 and go on sale next month, Economics Times reports. So it is a good time to see which of these smartphones succeed in winning over Indian consumers.
Here we compare both smartphones in terms of their features; everything from their displays and processors to cameras and batteries. The widely-popular "Apple of the East" throws a tough bargain with both phones.
Design
Both smartphones look great but the Mi4 has a richer look and feel. Xiaomi's current flagship model sports polycarbonate premium unibody compared to Mi3's plastic body with metal frame. Both handsets weigh the same at 145 grams to give users a handy and light experience. Not to mention, Xiaomi's design cues for its smartphones closely resemble Apple's iPhone models.
Display
Xiaomi borrows some of top-of-the-line specs when it comes to flagship smartphones. The Mi3 and the Mi4 smartphones share the same screen size and resolution. Featuring a 5-inch display, there is a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels and 441ppi. If you are looking for a sharper display by making an upgrade, be prepared for some disappointment.
Processor
Both flagship devices get their power from Qualcomm's Snapdragon 801 SoC but the Mi4 clocks speeds at 2.5GHz compared to Mi3's 2.3GHz on a quad-core processor. There is also a boost in RAM size from Mi3 to Mi4, which features a 3GB RAM compared to Mi3's 2GB.
Camera
If you are upgrading from Mi3 to Mi4 for a better camera, the new flagship has a lot to offer. The rear-facing sensor in both phones has the same 13-megapixel camera but there is a dual-LED flash in the Mi4 for a better end result. Additionally, the Mi4 camera has an improved Sony IMX214 BSI sensor and a wider aperture for better angle and supports 4K recording. On the front side, Mi4 embraces an 8MP Sony Exmor R sensor, which is much superior to Mi3's mere 2MP shooter. Selfies are definitely looking better on the Mi4 than the Mi3.
Battery
There is only a minor upgrade in this area as the Mi3's 3,050mAh battery has been upgraded to 3,080mAh.
Connectivity
In terms of connectivity, Xiaomi Mi4 has an additional 4G LTE support along with 3G, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth and GPS. The Mi3 lacks 4G LTE support, which is okay considering the Indian wireless industry is still in the process of upgrading to the new bandwidth. But having 4G LTE as an option certainly makes for a good upgrade.
Price
Xiaomi sells Mi3 smartphone in India for ₹13,999 exclusively through Flipkart. The price of Mi4 hasn't been revealed but reports indicate a sub- ₹20,000 price for the high-end smartphone.
Verdict
If you are upgrading from Mi3 to Mi4, there are certain factors like camera, battery, speed and performance, 4G and premium built that make it worth. If budget is the deciding factor then Mi3 makes up for a good bargain.
If you are a first time buyer, then Xiaomi Mi3 sales in India are closed and buyers must wait until next month for the Mi4 to be available because Xiaomi follows the tradition of selling one flagship at a time.
