Xiaomi Note 3: A Mid-Range Phablet Review

Xiaomi Note 3

English Full Name: Xiaomi Note 3
Category: Mid-to-high-end phablet smartphone
Brand: Xiaomi Inc.
Launch Date: September 12, 2018 (China)
OS: MIUI 10 (based on Android 8.1 Oreo, later upgraded to Android 10 and MIUI 14)
Core Concept: As you aptly put it, the Xiaomi Note 3 is essentially a “larger version of the Xiaomi 6,” aiming to provide a more spacious display and battery life within a familiar design language.

Detailed Specifications

Display

Size & Type: 6.3-inch Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen.
Resolution: 2340 x 1080 pixels (FHD+), 19.5:9 aspect ratio.
Features:
- 403 ppi pixel density.
- 1080 nits typical brightness, 1500 nits peak brightness.
- HDR10 support.
- 60Hz refresh rate.
- Color Gamut: DCI-P3.

Processor & Performance

SoC: Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 (14nm FinFET process).
Architecture: Octa-core (4x Kryo 260 Gold @ 2.2GHz + 4x Kryo 260 Silver @ 1.8GHz).
GPU: Adreno 515.
RAM & Storage:
- 6GB or 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM.
- 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB of UFS 2.1 storage (expandable via microSD card).
Benchmarks: Good performance for its time, easily handling mainstream apps, games (with some settings adjustments), and daily tasks.

Camera System

Rear:
- Primary: 12MP Sony IMX376 sensor, f/1.9 aperture, 1.4μm pixel size (dual pixel PDAF).
- Secondary: 12MP Sony IMX376 sensor, f/2.4 aperture, 1.25μm pixel size (depth sensing for portrait mode and bokeh effect).
- Features: 4K video recording at 30fps, 1080p at 60fps, AI scene recognition, AI beauty mode, dual-tone LED flash.
Front:
- Selfie Camera: 24MP Sony IMX376K sensor, f/2.0 aperture, 1.8μm pixel size, AI beauty mode.
- Features: 1080p video recording, AI scene recognition.

Battery & Charging

Battery Capacity: 4000mAh (non-removable lithium-polymer).
Charging:
- 18W fast charging (QC 3.0).
- No wireless charging support.

Body & Design

Dimensions: 158.5 x 75.4 x 7.6 mm.
Weight: Approximately 185 grams.
Design:
- Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5) and glass back (Gorilla Glass 5).
- Aluminum alloy frame.
- Rear fingerprint sensor (a departure from the in-display fingerprint of the Xiaomi 6).
- Color Options: Black, Blue, Gold, Red.

Connectivity & Other Features

Network: 4G LTE (Cat.12).
Wi-Fi: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (Wi-Fi 5).
Bluetooth: 5.0.
NFC: Yes (supports Xiaomi Pay).
USB: USB Type-C.
Headphone Jack: No (removed, used USB-C audio).
Sensors: Accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity, compass, ambient light, fingerprint sensor.

Pricing (Launch, China)

6GB + 64GB: ¥2499
6GB + 128GB: ¥2699
8GB + 128GB: ¥2899
8GB + 256GB: ¥3299

Series Significance & Positioning

The Xiaomi Note 3 perfectly encapsulated the “phablet” trend that was popular at the time. It took the proven, premium design language of the flagship Xiaomi 6, which was praised for its build quality and performance, and scaled it up in several ways:

Larger Display: The 6.3-inch screen offered more real estate for media consumption and multitasking, appealing to users who preferred a bigger phone.
Improved Battery: The 4000mAh battery, paired with the efficient Snapdragon 660, offered better all-day battery life compared to the 3350mAh battery in the Xiaomi 6.
Rear Fingerprint: While the Xiaomi 6 had an in-display fingerprint sensor, the Note 3 moved it to the back for faster and more reliable scanning.
Dual Rear Cameras: It introduced a dual-camera setup on the back, which was a key feature for photography enthusiasts, providing better portrait mode capabilities.

In summary, the Note 3 was a successful product that catered to users who wanted the best aspects of the Xiaomi 6 (like its build) but in a more comfortable, larger package with a longer-lasting battery and enhanced camera system.