Affordable doesn’t mean cheap, low quality or a dumb product. Xiaomi is redefining the entry-level smartphone market in India with its Redmi series. Premium quality built, powerful processor, lots of RAM, more megapixel camera, and 4G LTE connectivity that supports VoLTE too are the trade point for Redmi smartphones.
Xiaomi has launched its next iteration to its Redmi series – Redmi 3s and Redmi 3s Prime in India. Both smartphones come with a Snapdragon processor, bigger all-day battery, premium metal body, a camera with PDAF and 4G LTE with VoLTE support.
First to the pricing, the Xiaomi Redmi 3s which comes in 16GB storage variant and 2GB of RAM is priced at Rs 6,999. Whereas the Xiaomi Redmi 3s Prime got a bigger 32GB storage, 3GB of RAM and fingerprint scanner is priced at Rs 8,999. As for the availability, the Redmi 3s Prime will go on sale on August 9, 2016, exclusively on Flipkart and Mi.com, whereas the Redmi 3s will go on sale on August 16, 2016.
Xiaomi has tried to bring its premium design language from its high-end offering to the Redmi 3s. Both Redmi 3s and Redmi 3s Prime got a premium metal unibody design with rounded edges and corners. Still, Xiaomi has tried to keep the thickness to a minimum 8.5mm and weight just under 144g.
Both Xiaomi Redmi 3s variant flaunts a 5-inch HD display that also comes with a reading mode which reduces harmful blue light rays. The smartphones run on 1.4GHz 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 octa-core processor coupled with Adreno 505 GPU offering optimum performance and graphics capability.
As we told earlier, the Redmi 3s comes in lower 2GB RAM and carries 16GB inbuilt storage. Whereas the Redmi 3s Prime carries a higher 3GB RAM module along with 32GB internal storage. Both variants come with hybrid SIM slot where a user can further expand the storage up to 128GB using microSD card or use it for the second SIM.
As far as mobile photography concerned, the Redmi 3s variants got a 13-megapixel camera on the back with 5-piece lens, f/2.0 aperture and 0.1s ultra-fast Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF). On front for selfie lovers, the smartphone got a 5-megapixel camera with a f/2.2 aperture and 36 smart beautify profiles.
For connectivity, the Redmi 3s variants got dual SIM capability that supports high-speed 4G LTE along with VoLTE that in turn supports all Indian 4G bands. Other connectivity options include 3G and 2G network support, WiFi and Bluetooth 4.1. The smartphones run on Android Marshmallow with Xiaomi’s MIUI 7 UI wrapped over the top. The company plans to bring the new improved MIUI 8 UI later this month.
For added security the Redmi 3s Prime variant comes with a fingerprint scanner on back, that can unlock the mobile instantly. It also comes with smart features like App lock, Hidden folders and Hidden notes.
Redmi 3s and Redmi 3s Prime specification
- 5-inch HD display (1280 x 720 resolution)
- 1.4GHz Snapdragon 430 octa-core processor
- Adreno 505 GPU
- 2GB RAM/ 3GB RAM
- 16GB/32GB internal storage and expandable using microSD card
- 13MP back camera and 5MP front-facing camera
- Hybrid SIM
- 4G Dual SIM
- 4G (B3/B5/B40), VoLTE, 3G, 2G, WiFi, Bluetooth 4.1
- Fingerprint sensor (Redmi 3s Prime only)
- 4000mAh (min) / 4100mAh(typ) battery
For those who are looking for colour choices, the Redmi 3s and Redmi 3s Prime comes in dark grey, silver and gold colours.