Xiaomi recently added two new Redmi smartphones to its lineup — Redmi Note 3 and Redmi 3 — that bring impressive features at an affordable price point. In addition to having identical names, most features in Redmi Note 3 and Redmi 3 are similar.
In this article, we are going to look at the individual specifications of both phones and their differences to better understand which smartphone is best suited to consumers depending on their demands.
To begin with, the main difference between Redmi Note 3 and Redmi 3 is the former offers higher-end features compared to the latter device, which is focused at budget-oriented shoppers. Other differences are as follows:
Design and display
Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 and Redmi 3 feature full-metal design and available in same colour options — silver, gray and gold. Redmi Note 3 measures 150 x 76 x 8.7 mm and weighs 164 grams while the Redmi 3 measures 139.3 x 69.6 x 8.5 mm and weighs 144 grams.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 sports a 5.5-inch Full-HD display with 401ppi and has three viewing modes — Sunlight, Night and Reading — for better visuals, depending on usage. Redmi 3, on the other hand, has a 5-inch HD display with 294ppi.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 has a bigger and better display than Redmi 3, but both phones have metallic build for a premium look and feel.
Processor, RAM and storage
RAM and storage options in both Redmi Note 3 and Redmi 3 are the same. Both phones have 2GB RAM with 16GB expandable memory. Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 also comes in a 32GB storage model that has 3GB RAM.
In terms of the chipsets, Redmi Note 3 is powered by a 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 650 hexa-core processor while Redmi 3 uses a MediaTek Helio X10 octa-core SoC.
The performance is definitely better in Redmi Note 3, which is quite evident considering the handset is superior to Redmi 3.
Camera
The camera setup in both phones is almost identical. The Redmi Note 3 features a 13-megapixel primary camera with f/2.2 aperture and dual LED flash and the Redmi 3 has a 13MP sensor with lower f/2.0 aperture and single LED flash. On the front side of each device, there is a 5MP snapper with 36 smart beauty profiles.
Battery
Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 and Redmi 3 feature 4,050mAh and 4,100mAh batteries, respectively. Both phones are expected to last long, but the Redmi 3 might be better with its lower screen resolution and bigger battery.
Software and add-ons
Xiaomi smartphones run Android, and both devices have Android 5.1 Lollipop with MIUI 7 skin on top. Dual SIM and high-speed 4G LTE support are standard across both devices. Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 packs a fingerprint sensor, a feature missing in the Redmi 3, at the back of the device just below the camera module.
Pricing
Xiaomi is yet to reveal the availability of both devices in India. Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 is available in China starting at CNY 999 (around Rs 10,200). Xiaomi Redmi 3 is priced at CNY 699 (around Rs 7,143).
