I was ecstatic when I got my Mi 3 after meeting Hugo Barra. Xiaomi’s fastest flagship device has finally landed its alloy body with dimensions to die for (144 x 72 x 8.1mm). But before I get too excited to tell you how the device feels and performs, let me first take you through the unboxing.
Unboxing
The device is placed on a hard recyclable cardboard box. I like the way Xiaomi packaged the phone and its accessories, which by the way are neatly slipped inside the box. If you’re getting yourself one, taking the device out is an experience that you really would want to always rekindle.
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Build
Mi 3 is a device like no other. Don’t get me wrong though. Its build and design are almost equal to perfection. At first glance, it looks like it borrows the well-loved design of Lumia 925 and the iPhone 5s at a very slim and light package. Its alloy material may be a bit slippery, but its slim build makes it very easy to grab.
The phone employs a very minimalist design philosophy – hardware buttons are all on the left, while microUSB port and speakers are located at the bottom part of the phone. The phone’s noise-cancelling microphone is located just beside its regular-SIM port and 3.5mm stereo headset port.
The 5-inch screen looks absolutely stunning! With resolution of 1080 x 1920 (full HD) and with PPI of 441, it’s undoubtedly the best screen we’ve seen on a device priced below PhP11,000! Texts and photos look really sharp on this device! Take a look at sample photos below for your reference.
Hardware
Mi 3 has the hardware specs to die for. Seeing a device with such price point but with a Snapdragon 800 2.3Ghz quad-core processor seems too impossible and feels a bit surreal! Such powerful specs may seem to be too good to be true, but we just got take it in and believe. You will agree with me if I say that this phone is set to challenge local players to lower the price of their flagship devices.
It’s undeniably fast! Its 2.3Ghz quad-core processor, 2gb RAM and Adreno 330 GPU make the device the king of affordable but powerful devices. Games like Riptide GP2 and Amazing Spider-Man 2 play very very smoothly. In terms of benchmarks, the device scored 29,958 in our very recent test.
Software
The device runs on Kitkat 4.4.2, with Xiaomi’s MIUI on top of Android’s UI. This is one of the core strengths of Xiaomi Android smartphones. This IU is responsible for the almost limitless possibilities you can do with the device from full customization to administration/user privilege access to security. If you’re into phones that puts you at the helm and grants you further control over your device (not the other way around), Mi 3 is THE phone to beat!
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Camera
Mi 3’s camera is powered by Sony Exmor sensor. Its 13-megapixel rear camera with dual-LED flash can take photos with true-to-life colors. Colors are vivid and alive even a low-light. Now I understand why Xiaomi VP Hugo Barra said that this is the best thing he likes about Mi 3. C’mon, take a look at this stunning photos! You will not even believe that I took this photos using Mi 3’s camera(s).
Food shot, anyone?
Xiaomi Mi 3 Sample Shot Rear Camera
Xiaomi Mi 3 Sample Shot Rear Camera with Flash
Xiaomi Mi 3 Sample Shot Rear Camera
Colors are accurate!
Xiaomi Mi 3 Sample Shot Front Camera Low Light
Battery
I managed to use the device for more than 10 hours (with 45% more battery remaining) with GPS and 3G almost on. There is a little downside though – battery is non-user replaceable!
Quick Verdict
Your search for the best affordable phone is over. Don’t think. Don’t blink. When Xiaomi and Lazada start offering this on June 26 at 12 noon, buy this IMMEDIATELY and consider it one the best purchases of your life!
Full Specs
| General | |
|---|---|
| Release date | September 2013 |
| Form factor | Touchscreen |
| Dimensions (mm) | 144.00 x 72.00 x 8.10 |
| Weight (g) | 145.00 |
| Battery capacity (mAh) | 3050 |
| Removable battery | No |
| SAR value | NA |
| Display | |
| Screen size (inches) | 5.00 |
| Touchscreen | Yes |
| Touchscreen type | Capacitive |
| Resolution | 1080×1920 pixels |
| Pixels per inch (PPI) | 441 |
| Hardware | |
| Processor | 2.3GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 |
| Processor make | Qualcomm |
| RAM | 2GB |
| Internal storage | 16GB |
| Camera | |
| Rear camera | 13-megapixel |
| Flash | Yes |
| Front camera | 2-megapixel |
| Software | |
| Operating System | Android 4.1 |
| Java support | Yes |
| Browser supports Flash | No |
| Connectivity | |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| Wi-Fi standards supported | NA |
| GPS | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes, v 4.00 |
| NFC | Yes |
| Infrared | No |
| DLNA | No |
| Wi-Fi Direct | Yes |
| MHL Out | No |
| HDMI | No |
| Headphones | 3.5mm |
| FM | Yes |
| USB | Micro-USB |
| Charging via Micro-USB | Yes |
| Proprietary charging connector | No |
| Proprietary data connector | No |
| Number of SIMs | 1 |
| SIM Type | Regular |
| GSM/ CDMA | GSM |
| 3G | Yes |
| Sensors | |
| Compass/ Magnetometer | Yes |
| Proximity sensor | Yes |
| Accelerometer | Yes |
| Ambient light sensor | Yes |
| Gyroscope | Yes |
| Barometer | Yes |
| Temperature sensor | No |
Full Specs Courtest: NDTV
[su_box title=”Video Review: Coming soon!” style=”soft” box_color=”#00a462″ radius=”0″]Watch out for our full video review soon on our YouTube page.[/su_box]
Giancarlo Viterbo is a Filipino Technology Journalist, blogger and Editor of gadgetpilipinas.net, He is also a Geek, Dad and a Husband. He knows a lot about washing the dishes, doing some errands and following instructions from his boss on his day job. Follow him on twitter: @gianviterbo and @gadgetpilipinas.
