If you’re hunting for a cheap phone that still feels solid, the Redmi Note 3 is worth a look. It lands in the budget range but brings a big screen, decent camera and a battery that can last all day. Below we break down the specs, how it actually performs, and give you some quick tricks to squeeze out extra speed.
The Note 3 packs a 5.5‑inch Full HD display, which is rare for phones under $200. Under the hood you get a Snapdragon 650 processor paired with 3 GB of RAM – enough for everyday apps, social media scrolls, and light gaming. Storage starts at 32 GB and you can add a microSD card up to 128 GB, so you’ll never run out of space for photos or videos.
In everyday use the phone feels snappy. Launching apps is quick, and multitasking works fine as long as you keep a few tabs open. Heavy games like PUBG will make the device heat up, but for casual titles you’re good. The UI runs MIUI on top of Android 6.0, which adds useful shortcuts without bogging down the system.
Battery life is a major selling point. The 4050 mAh cell easily pushes you past 10 hours of screen‑on time. Even with video streaming or GPS navigation, you’ll likely make it through a full day with a bit left for a night‑cap.
The camera setup includes a 13 MP rear shooter with phase‑detect autofocus and a 5 MP front lens. Photos are sharp in daylight, though low‑light performance can be grainy. Using the built‑in AI mode helps balance exposure, so you don’t need to be a pro to get decent snaps.
Here are three quick tips to keep the Redmi Note 3 humming:
Overall, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 punches above its price. It gives you a big, crisp screen, solid performance and a battery that won’t quit on you. If you’re after a reliable phone without splurging, this model still holds its ground in 2025.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 is a popular and highly rated mid-range smartphone released in China in November 2015. It supports global 4G LTE networks and can be used in the USA, although it is not officially available in the USA. It works on 2G, 3G and 4G LTE networks on frequencies used in the USA. Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 is a great choice for users in the USA who want a quality mid-range device.
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