Xiaomi Redmi 3 Pro Revealed: This budget-friendly smartphone, launched in 2016, shook up the market with its impressive features and compelling price point. The Redmi 3 Pro was more than just another budget phone; it offered a compelling combination of performance, battery life, and design, making it a serious contender in the mid-range segment.
The Redmi 3 Pro’s release marked a turning point for Xiaomi, showcasing the brand’s ability to deliver high-quality devices at affordable prices. Its success solidified Xiaomi’s position as a global smartphone powerhouse, and the phone’s impact can still be seen in the company’s current offerings.
Xiaomi Redmi 3 Pro: A Game-Changer in the Budget Smartphone Market
The Xiaomi Redmi 3 Pro, launched in 2016, was a significant milestone in the budget smartphone market. This device redefined what consumers could expect from a phone priced under $150, offering a powerful combination of features and performance that was previously unseen in this segment.
Key Features and Release Date
The Redmi 3 Pro was released in January 2016. Its key features included a 5-inch HD display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 616 processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, a 13MP rear camera, a 5MP front camera, a 4,100mAh battery, and a fingerprint sensor. These features were considered impressive for a budget phone, making it a compelling option for users looking for a powerful and affordable device.
Significance in the Smartphone Market
The Redmi 3 Pro’s success can be attributed to its ability to offer premium features at an affordable price point. This strategy resonated with consumers who were looking for a balance between performance and affordability. The device’s popularity significantly impacted the budget smartphone market, pushing other manufacturers to offer similar feature sets at competitive prices. The Redmi 3 Pro also established Xiaomi as a major player in the global smartphone market, demonstrating its ability to deliver high-quality products at attractive prices.
Design and Build Quality
The Redmi 3 Pro boasts a design that reflects Xiaomi’s commitment to delivering a premium experience at an affordable price. It’s a device that feels substantial in the hand, and its design elements speak to a conscious effort to balance functionality and aesthetics.
The Redmi 3 Pro’s design language is characterized by its minimalist approach and the use of high-quality materials. It features a unibody design crafted from a single piece of aluminum, which gives it a solid and durable feel. The device’s rounded edges and smooth curves contribute to a comfortable grip, making it easy to hold and use for extended periods.
Design Comparisons with Other Xiaomi Devices, Xiaomi redmi 3 pro revealed
The Redmi 3 Pro’s design shares similarities with other Xiaomi devices released around the same period, such as the Redmi Note 3. Both devices feature a unibody aluminum design, which was becoming a trend in the smartphone industry at the time. However, the Redmi 3 Pro’s design is more compact and refined, with a smaller screen size and a more streamlined overall appearance.
Durability and Build Quality
The Redmi 3 Pro’s build quality is impressive for its price range. The aluminum unibody construction makes it very sturdy and resistant to bending or flexing. The device also features a protective layer of Gorilla Glass 3 on the display, which helps to prevent scratches and damage.
Overall, the Redmi 3 Pro’s design and build quality are commendable. It offers a premium feel and robust construction that belies its affordable price point.
Display
The Redmi 3 Pro features a 5-inch display, which was considered a standard size for smartphones at the time of its release. This display size provides a good balance between portability and screen real estate, making it comfortable for both browsing and watching videos.
The display boasts a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels, which translates to a pixel density of 294 ppi. While this is not the highest resolution available, it still offers a sharp and crisp viewing experience. The display uses IPS technology, which is known for its wide viewing angles and accurate color reproduction.
Screen Brightness, Color Accuracy, and Viewing Angles
The Redmi 3 Pro’s display is known for its decent brightness levels, making it usable even in direct sunlight. However, it is not the brightest display in its price range. The color accuracy is also good, with vibrant and natural-looking colors. The IPS technology ensures that the display maintains its quality even when viewed from extreme angles.
Comparison with Other Smartphones in the Same Price Range
Compared to other smartphones in the same price range, the Redmi 3 Pro’s display holds its own. While some competitors might offer higher resolutions or slightly better brightness, the Redmi 3 Pro provides a solid and reliable viewing experience. Its combination of size, resolution, and IPS technology makes it a competitive contender in the budget smartphone market.
Performance
The Redmi 3 Pro packs a punch when it comes to performance, thanks to its powerful processor and ample RAM. This combination ensures smooth multitasking and a responsive user experience, even when handling demanding applications and games.
Processor and RAM
The Redmi 3 Pro is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 616 octa-core processor, clocked at 1.5 GHz. This processor is paired with 2GB or 3GB of RAM, depending on the variant. This configuration provides sufficient processing power for everyday tasks, including browsing the web, social media, and light gaming.
Performance in Daily Use
The Redmi 3 Pro handles everyday tasks with ease. Apps launch quickly, multitasking is smooth, and the device feels responsive. Even with multiple apps running in the background, the phone remains snappy and doesn’t experience any significant lag.
Gaming Performance
While the Redmi 3 Pro isn’t a gaming powerhouse, it can handle most popular mobile games with decent performance. Games like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile can be played at medium settings with acceptable frame rates. However, for demanding games at high settings, you might experience some frame drops and lag.
Comparison to Other Devices
Compared to other budget smartphones with similar specifications, the Redmi 3 Pro performs admirably. Its Snapdragon 616 processor is on par with other devices in its price range, and the 2GB or 3GB of RAM provides ample memory for smooth multitasking.
Camera
The Xiaomi Redmi 3 Pro is equipped with a 13MP rear camera with a f/2.0 aperture lens and a 5MP front-facing camera. This camera setup offers a good balance of features and quality for its price point.
Image Quality
The Redmi 3 Pro’s camera captures decent images in well-lit conditions. The colors are generally accurate, and the detail is good for a budget phone. However, the camera struggles in low-light situations, producing images with significant noise and a lack of sharpness.
Camera Performance Compared to Other Smartphones in Its Price Range
The Redmi 3 Pro’s camera performance is comparable to other budget smartphones in its price range. While it may not be the best in the class, it offers a decent camera experience for everyday use.
Battery Life
The Redmi 3 Pro packs a powerful 4,000mAh battery, promising long-lasting usage even with heavy use. This makes it a standout feature, particularly in the budget smartphone segment, where battery life is often a compromise.
The Redmi 3 Pro’s battery life is impressive across various usage scenarios. For instance, with moderate usage, including browsing, messaging, and social media, the device can easily last for two days on a single charge.
Battery Life in Different Usage Scenarios
Here’s a breakdown of the battery life in different scenarios:
- Moderate Usage: With moderate usage, including browsing, messaging, and social media, the Redmi 3 Pro can easily last for two days on a single charge.
- Heavy Usage: With heavy usage, including gaming, video streaming, and continuous internet use, the device can comfortably last for a full day on a single charge.
- Standby Time: The Redmi 3 Pro boasts an impressive standby time of up to 300 hours, making it ideal for travelers or those who need their phone to be readily available for extended periods.
Comparison with Other Smartphones in the Same Price Range
Compared to other smartphones in the same price range, the Redmi 3 Pro’s battery life is significantly longer. Many budget smartphones struggle to last a full day on a single charge, making the Redmi 3 Pro a clear winner in this aspect.
For example, the Moto G4 Plus, a popular contender in the same price range, has a 3,000mAh battery and offers a slightly shorter battery life compared to the Redmi 3 Pro.
The Redmi 3 Pro’s battery life is a significant advantage, providing users with peace of mind and reducing the need for frequent charging.
Software and Features
The Redmi 3 Pro runs on Android 5.1 Lollipop with Xiaomi’s MIUI 7 skin on top. MIUI is a popular and feature-rich custom Android skin that offers a unique user experience.
User Interface and Features
MIUI 7 provides a clean and intuitive user interface with a focus on customization and personalization. The interface is visually appealing and offers a variety of themes, wallpapers, and widgets to personalize the device. Some of the key features of MIUI 7 include:
- Dual Apps: This feature allows users to run two instances of the same app, such as WhatsApp or Facebook, with different accounts. This is particularly useful for people who use multiple accounts for work and personal use.
- Themes: MIUI 7 offers a vast library of themes that can change the look and feel of the device. Users can download and apply themes from the built-in Theme Store.
- Security Features: MIUI 7 includes a number of security features, such as an app lock, a data usage monitor, and a privacy guard. These features help protect user data and privacy.
- One-Handed Mode: This feature allows users to access the entire screen with one hand by shrinking the display area. This is particularly helpful for users with smaller hands or who prefer to use their phone with one hand.
Software Experience Compared to Other Xiaomi Devices
The software experience on the Redmi 3 Pro is consistent with other Xiaomi devices running MIUI 7. The user interface is familiar and easy to navigate, and the features are largely the same. However, some features may vary depending on the specific device model.
Storage and Connectivity
The Redmi 3 Pro offers a decent amount of storage and a comprehensive suite of connectivity options, making it a versatile device for everyday use. Let’s delve into the details of these features and see how they compare to other smartphones in its price range.
Storage Options
The Redmi 3 Pro comes in two storage variants: 16GB and 32GB. While the 16GB option might be sufficient for basic users, the 32GB variant offers ample space for storing apps, photos, videos, and other files. It’s worth noting that both variants support expandable storage via a microSD card slot, allowing you to further increase storage capacity.
Connectivity Options
The Redmi 3 Pro boasts a wide range of connectivity options, ensuring seamless communication and data transfer.
- Wi-Fi: The device supports 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, enabling fast and reliable internet connectivity at home or in public spaces.
- Bluetooth: The Redmi 3 Pro features Bluetooth 4.0, allowing for wireless connectivity with other Bluetooth-enabled devices such as headphones, speakers, and smartwatches.
- Mobile Data: The device supports 4G LTE networks, providing high-speed data connectivity on the go. It also supports 3G and 2G networks for wider coverage.
- Other Connectivity Features: The Redmi 3 Pro includes other essential connectivity features such as GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, and a micro-USB port for charging and data transfer.
Storage and Connectivity Comparison
Compared to other smartphones in its price range, the Redmi 3 Pro offers competitive storage and connectivity options. While some devices might offer slightly higher storage capacities, the Redmi 3 Pro’s expandable storage feature compensates for this. Furthermore, its comprehensive connectivity features, including 4G LTE support, ensure seamless communication and data access, making it a compelling choice for users seeking a well-rounded budget smartphone.
Pricing and Availability
The Redmi 3 Pro was a budget-friendly smartphone, offering a compelling mix of features and affordability. Its pricing at launch reflected this value proposition, making it a popular choice among budget-conscious consumers.
This section explores the Redmi 3 Pro’s original price at launch, its current market availability and pricing, and compares its cost to other smartphones with similar specifications.
Original Price and Launch
The Xiaomi Redmi 3 Pro was launched in India in April 2016 at a price of ₹8,999 for the 2GB RAM and 16GB storage variant. This price point made it a very competitive offering in the budget smartphone segment, offering features typically found in more expensive devices.
Current Market Availability and Pricing
While the Redmi 3 Pro is no longer sold new by Xiaomi, it remains available in the used smartphone market. Its price varies depending on the condition of the device, storage capacity, and seller. However, it is generally available for significantly lower prices than its original launch price.
Price Comparison with Similar Smartphones
To understand the Redmi 3 Pro’s pricing in relation to other budget smartphones, it’s helpful to compare it to devices with similar specifications released around the same time. Some comparable devices include the Moto G4 Plus, Lenovo K6 Power, and Samsung Galaxy J5 (2016). These devices also offered competitive features and pricing, creating a dynamic market for budget-conscious consumers.
Legacy and Impact: Xiaomi Redmi 3 Pro Revealed
The Xiaomi Redmi 3 Pro wasn’t just another budget smartphone; it was a turning point for both Xiaomi and the entire smartphone market. It established Xiaomi as a formidable player in the budget segment, setting a benchmark for performance, features, and value that other manufacturers had to match.
The Redmi 3 Pro’s impact on the smartphone market is undeniable. It demonstrated that a budget smartphone could offer a premium experience without compromising on performance or features. This shift in consumer expectations led to a surge in demand for budget smartphones with powerful hardware and sleek designs, a trend that continues to this day.
Xiaomi’s Growth and Popularity
The Redmi 3 Pro played a pivotal role in Xiaomi’s meteoric rise to prominence. It became one of the company’s best-selling smartphones, solidifying its position as a leading smartphone brand globally. The device’s success can be attributed to its compelling combination of features, affordability, and Xiaomi’s aggressive marketing strategies. The Redmi 3 Pro’s popularity helped Xiaomi gain a significant market share, particularly in emerging markets where price sensitivity is high.
Influence on Subsequent Xiaomi Models
The Redmi 3 Pro’s success paved the way for future Xiaomi models. It set a standard for design, performance, and features that subsequent Redmi devices would build upon. The company continued to prioritize offering powerful hardware and innovative features at affordable prices, a strategy that has been instrumental in Xiaomi’s ongoing success. The Redmi 3 Pro’s legacy can be seen in the Redmi Note series, which has become synonymous with value-for-money smartphones.
The Xiaomi Redmi 3 Pro was a true game-changer. It demonstrated that budget-friendly smartphones could deliver a premium experience, paving the way for a new era of affordable innovation. The phone’s legacy lives on in Xiaomi’s commitment to offering feature-rich devices at competitive prices, making it a leader in the global smartphone market.
The Xiaomi Redmi 3 Pro was a popular choice for budget-conscious users thanks to its long battery life and powerful performance. However, the phone’s design and features are far from the innovative concept of a house built into a hill that requires no cooling or heating. While the Redmi 3 Pro might not be as futuristic, it remains a reliable and affordable option for those seeking a capable smartphone without breaking the bank.