Xiaomi Mi 3 Unboxing, Preview And Initial Impression

Anjie lou delos Reyes
77
Xiaomi Mi 3 Unboxing, Preview And Initial Impression
Xiaomi Mi 3 Unboxing, Preview And Initial Impression

INTRODUCTION:

Xiaomi gained international recognition not only for their great marketing strategy, but also for having real value for money products and one of them is the Xiaomi Mi 3.

Even though it is almost a year now since the Mi 3 was announced, it is still one of the most anticipated device by the consumers from emerging markets such as the Philippines.

Xiaomi Mi 3 Unboxing, Preview And Initial Impression
CPU-Z

There are plenty of reasons why the Mi 3 still sells like hot cakes, for one it has far better specifications compared to other devices, both from local and international brands that fall to the same price point. Speaking of specs, it sports a 5-inch IPS full HD capacitive touchscreen display powered by a quad core Qualcomm Snapdron processor clocked at 2.3GHz each coupled with 2GB of RAM for smooth multitasking.


UNBOXING:

Unboxing video
Xiaomi Mi 3 Unboxing, Preview And Initial Impression
Unit, flip case, screen protector, micro SIM card tray, manual, charger, USB cable, ejector pin

I was very eager to buy the Mi 3, that is why I decided to buy it from Singapore especially that during that time there was no confirmation yet when it will arrive in the country. I bought mine for SGD354, a bundle that includes a flip case and a screen protector on top of the regular package that includes the unit, USB cable, charger, ejector pin and manual. The Mi 3 uses a regular size SIM card, but you can also use a micro SIM card because it comes with a customized tray for that.


HARDWARE:

Xiaomi Mi 3 Unboxing, Preview And Initial Impression
Front

The front is majority covered by the display, underneath the screen you will find the usual menu, home and back keys, they all lit up and have haptic feedback whenever you touch them. Above the display, you have the "mi" branding, the hidden sensors, earpiece grill, secondary camera and the LED notification of different colors.

Xiaomi Mi 3 Unboxing, Preview And Initial Impression
Back

The back houses the 13MP Exmor camera accompanied by a dual LED flash followed by a secondary microphone for noise cancellation and stereo audio when recording a video. In the lower part, you will see another "mi" logo just about the phone's regulatory information.

Xiaomi Mi 3 Unboxing, Preview And Initial Impression
Left
Xiaomi Mi 3 Unboxing, Preview And Initial Impression
Right

The left side is bare while the right side holds both the volume rocker and the power/lock button.

Xiaomi Mi 3 Unboxing, Preview And Initial Impression
Top
Xiaomi Mi 3 Unboxing, Preview And Initial Impression
Bottom

At the top, you have the 3.5mm audio jack adjacent to the SIM card tray and the primary microphone while at the bottom you will find the reinforced micro USB port that doubles as charging port and the laser-cut loudspeaker grill.

My unit is metallic gray, but it is just a color as the outside of the phone is made of plastic. Do not get confused with the magnesium alloy frame since the 'frame' they are referring to is the one inside the device, the one that holds out the components.

I had Nokia N9 and old Lumia phones before and their designs greatly resemble to that of the Mi 3, you might agree or argue with me, but that is the closest comparison I can give you. In terms of handling, the curvy side helps a lot for a better hold of the phone, however, it will still require you to use both of your hands in most cases.


DISPLAY:

Xiaomi Mi 3 Unboxing, Preview And Initial Impression
10-point touch

The Mi 3 has a 5-inch display with full HD resolution equivalent to 441ppi, Quad HD might be the current trends on smartphone, but 1080p still looks pretty decent especially that it has IPS technology which gives it wide viewing angles. Xiaomi also touted that the backlit display is directly fused to the touchscreen panel (similar to OGS) delivering more crisp and vibrant output.


SENSORS:

Xiaomi Mi 3 Unboxing, Preview And Initial Impression
Sensors

The Mi 3 has a whole bunch of sensors namely accelerometer, proximity, light, gyroscope, magnetic and barometer, all of them works properly when put under test.


BENCHMARKS:

Xiaomi Mi 3 Unboxing, Preview And Initial Impression
Antutu - 35104
Xiaomi Mi 3 Unboxing, Preview And Initial Impression
NenaMark2 - 60.0fps
Xiaomi Mi 3 Unboxing, Preview And Initial Impression
Quadrant - 21,960
Xiaomi Mi 3 Unboxing, Preview And Initial Impression
Explore (Vellamo) Multicore - 1810, Metal - 1405
Xiaomi Mi 3 Unboxing, Preview And Initial Impression
Ice Storm Unlimited - 18,645 (highest is 19,105)

The quad core Krait 400 processor inside the Mi 3 is really strong and powerful, it gives a remarkably high score in every benchmark that I used. By the way, my unit is based on Android 4.3 Jelly Bean while the one sold through Lazada has already Android 4.4 KitKat.


INITIAL VERDICT:

I am using the Xiaomi Mi 3 for several weeks now and I can say that it is really a good buy, the screen is stunning and vibrant, it has superb build quality and performance is quite fast without any lags or hiccups encountered so far. Currently, the only issue I have is that some apps are crashing like the stock browser.

Specifications:
  • Quad band 2G/3G
  • 5-inch IPS capacitive  Full HD (1920x1080) touchscreen
  • Dimensions:  144mm x 73.6mm x 8.1mm
  • Weight: 145g
  • Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, MIUI version 5
  • 2.3GHz Quad Core Krait 400 CPU, Adreno 330 GPU, Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 chipset
  • 2GB of RAM
  • 16GB internal storage, non-expandable
  • 13MP auto focus main camera with dual LED Flash,
  • 2MP secondary camera
  • 1080p video recording
  • Multimedia Player
  • FM Radio
  • 3.5 Audio Jack
  • GPS with A-GPS support and GLONASS
  • Dual Band WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, WiFi Direct, Wi-Fi Hotspot
  • Micro USB 2.0, OTG function
  • Bluetooth v4.0
  • NFC
  • Sensors: Accelerometer, Light, Proximity, Gyroscope,  Compass, Barometer
  • 3050mAh Li-Ion non-removable battery
  • Price: Php10.599

Post a Comment

77Comments

  1. wow ang mura ha tapos mas better performance pa sa s5

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  2. This Mi 3 will eat the market share of its competitors in the Philippines, if Xiaomi sells it under P10T.

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  3. I hope i win.

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  4. Crystal Marie CañeteSeptember 13, 2014 at 1:32 AM

    Just perfect. I wish I could own one. =)

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  5. Xiaomi are releasing phones which are awesome! And the Mi 3 got benchmarked at 35104!!! WOWZZZAAA!

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  6. done joining !!!! hope to win !!!!

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  7. i wish i could own one mi 3! :)

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  8. i love the quality of this phone.

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  9. Currently, the only issue I have is that some apps are crashing like the stock browser. --> has this issue been resolved?

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  10. Joined! Hoping i could own one Mi 3

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  11. I wish I could have one soon. :)

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  12. Nice performance and yet very affordable. :)

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  13. very very nice gadget

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  14. I love this phone. :)

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  15. I've been comparing and researching different phones, and so far it's the most affordable with high quality features.

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  16. Good choice of phone tho

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  17. A new breed of great phone!

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  18. kaloka naman ung antutu score haha astg

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  19. wow high grade phone

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  20. Elena Enriquez CasabuenaSeptember 14, 2014 at 4:21 PM

    nice one :)

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  21. goodluck to us!

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  22. in my benchmark, wawa naman cellphone ko, kulilat, dream kuna sya ngayon..

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  23. Ganda neto!

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  24. Like it! Hope to Win

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  25. my dream smartphone..

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  26. wow astig... perfect for my smartphone needs :) taas ng antutu

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  27. That 13MP camera is thumbs up ;) Specs are ideal for gadget freaks ...

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  28. I want this Xianomi Redmi 1s... nice infos there...

    Facebook:
    https://www.facebook.com/drejoe.usman/posts/10204988675701807


    Twitter:
    https://twitter.com/TheJoeUsman/status/514476613526765569

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  29. nice i want to have smart phone

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  30. Cool! And good features and specifications. 😉👍

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  31. Awesome Smartphone!

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  32. The redmi 1s is such a great alternative, great specs and build quality from xiaomi :)

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  33. the best, great screen and build quality from xiaomi :P

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  34. Awesome! Wonder if a new launcher or rooting it will make it crash less?

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  35. i want this long battery life

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  36. Agustin John Cabredo IIOctober 5, 2014 at 12:55 PM

    cool

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  37. Very powerful specs! I really wish I could own one! :)

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  38. Mona Tumbaga-VerdidaOctober 7, 2014 at 10:07 AM

    awesome! i hope to win! I love the Mi's specs!

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  39. Reuter Sam O. SantarinaOctober 7, 2014 at 1:34 PM

    want to have one!

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  40. So want this phone now after reading TeknoGadyet review. This phone is very impressive.

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  41. Mona Tumbaga-VerdidaOctober 9, 2014 at 9:53 AM

    Lovely!

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  42. sherry ann gole cruzOctober 9, 2014 at 12:12 PM

    love to have this!

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  43. Rhea Liza Lirios MunozOctober 9, 2014 at 3:10 PM

    wow.. superb!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  44. Hoping to win this cool gadget!

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  45. Excellent features! I Love it and I suggest people who s looking for budget phone.

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  46. WOW! Sakto for my budget.

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  47. Christian AmpoloquioOctober 11, 2014 at 12:35 PM

    Great specs. Affordable price. Great options versus other competition.

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  48. hoping to win pls..

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  49. Awesome spec for a very reasonable price.

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  50. i like the specs and the price. hope to have this.

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  51. great phone at affordable price....

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  52. high end smartphone with an affordable price...

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  53. DONE JOINING ... HOPE TO WIN

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  54. it is NICE! Love it! :)

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  55. great and awesome phone..!!

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  56. Nice features. Hope to get one soon

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  57. Done. =) Hoping to win!

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  58. This Phone is Monster UGGHH!! :D

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  59. 35104 wow better that zenfone 5 hehe :)

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