Redmi A3
The Redmi A3 represents Xiaomi's most capable and best-value entry-level handset of 2024, officially announced and released globally in February 2024. It builds upon the foundation of the Redmi A3x with meaningful upgrades that significantly enhance the user experience – making it the smarter choice for budget-conscious buyers.
What makes the Redmi A3 particularly compelling is how it addresses the key limitations of its predecessor. The 90Hz refresh rate display provides a smoother experience than the standard 60Hz found on most entry-level competitors. The USB-C port brings modern connectivity, while Corning Gorilla Glass 3 provides essential screen protection. The full version of Android 14 with Xiaomi HyperOS offers a richer feature set than the Go Edition found on the A3x.
In this comprehensive review, we'll explore every aspect of the Redmi A3 – from its design and display to its performance, camera capabilities, battery life, and the features that make it the best entry-level smartphone under $100 in 2024.
- Display: 6.71" IPS LCD, HD+ (1650 × 720), 90Hz, ~269 ppi, Gorilla Glass 3.
- Processor: MediaTek Helio G36 (12nm) – faster than Unisoc T603.
- RAM: 3GB / 4GB / 6GB / 8GB LPDDR4X.
- Storage: 64GB / 128GB (expandable via microSDXC).
- Rear Camera: 8MP Main (f/2.0, PDAF) + AI Dual-Lens + LED Flash.
- Front Camera: 5MP (f/2.2) with 1080p video support.
- Battery: 5,000 mAh with 10W charging.
- Software: Android 14 with Xiaomi HyperOS (Full Version).
- Features: USB-C, Gorilla Glass 3, 3.5mm jack, side-mounted fingerprint.
- Colors: Midnight Black, Forest Green, Lake Blue.
🎨 Design & Display
The Redmi A3 features a clean and modern polycarbonate design with a premium-looking flat back that's lightweight at 193 g and ergonomically comfortable for extended use. The Corning Gorilla Glass 3 on the front screen provides meaningful drop and scratch protection – a feature the A3x lacks entirely, making the A3 more durable for everyday use.
The 6.71-inch IPS LCD display with HD+ resolution covers the basics of messaging, browsing, and video streaming comfortably. The 90Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and transitions noticeably smoother than the standard 60Hz on most entry-level competitors – a significant upgrade that enhances the daily user experience.
The waterdrop notch design maximizes the screen-to-body ratio for a more immersive display experience. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is accurate and fast – positioned naturally for right-handed thumb access. Available in three stylish tones: Midnight Black, Forest Green, and Lake Blue.
⚡ Performance & Software
The MediaTek Helio G36 (12nm) delivers a meaningful performance improvement over the Unisoc T603 in the A3x – with faster app loading, smoother animations, and better multitasking. The four high-performance Cortex-A53 cores (2.2 GHz) handle everyday apps, social media, and web browsing without lag, while the efficient cores manage background tasks to conserve battery.
With up to 8 GB LPDDR4X RAM, the device enables comfortable background app retention and smooth switching between multiple applications. The up to 128 GB storage with microSDXC expansion supports large photo libraries and app collections, making the device versatile for users who store media locally.
The device runs Android 14 with Xiaomi HyperOS – the full version, not the lightweight Go Edition like the A3x. This means access to all standard apps, Google Play Store without limitations, and a richer feature set. HyperOS brings cleaner animations, improved privacy controls, enhanced notification management, and a more polished system UI that significantly improves the user experience.
📷 Camera System
The 8MP main rear camera (f/2.0, PDAF) delivers solid daylight shots with good detail and natural color reproduction. PDAF (Phase Detection Autofocus) enables fast and accurate focus locking – a clear advantage over fixed-focus budget cameras that often miss focus on moving subjects.
The AI dual-lens system enhances depth sensing for more natural portrait mode background blur, while the LED flash illuminates dark environments for night photos and videos. AI scene detection intelligently adjusts settings for landscapes, food, portraits, and night scenes, helping users capture better photos without needing to manually adjust settings.
The 5MP front camera (f/2.2) supports 1080p front video – an improvement over the A3x's 720p front video. Both rear and front cameras record 1080p video at 30fps for sharing on social media and messaging apps.
🔋 Battery & Charging
The 5,000 mAh battery paired with the efficient Helio G36 chipset delivers 1.5 to 2 full days of moderate usage on one charge. Light users (calls, messaging, social media browsing) can expect to stretch to 2–3 days between charges – making the Redmi A3 an ideal companion for users who prioritize endurance.
10W charging is the main limitation – a full charge from 0% takes approximately 2.5 hours. However, the device uses USB-C – a significant upgrade over the Redmi A3x's Micro-USB, making it compatible with modern chargers and cables. Despite the slow charging speed, the large battery capacity means this won't be a daily concern for most users.
🆚 Redmi A3 vs Redmi A3x – Key Differences
- Display: Redmi A3 has 90Hz – A3x has 60Hz.
- Chipset: Redmi A3 has Helio G36 (faster) – A3x has Unisoc T603 (slower).
- Port: Redmi A3 uses USB-C – A3x uses Micro-USB.
- Screen protection: Redmi A3 has Gorilla Glass 3 – A3x has no Gorilla Glass.
- OS: Redmi A3 runs Android 14 HyperOS (full) – A3x runs Android 14 Go Edition (limited).
- Front camera video: Redmi A3 supports 1080p – A3x is limited to 720p.
- Price difference: Redmi A3 costs only ~$5–10 more – making it the clearly better value choice.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.71" IPS LCD, HD+ (1650 × 720), 90Hz, ~269 ppi, Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Processor | MediaTek Helio G36 (12nm), Octa-core (4×2.2 GHz A53 + 4×1.6 GHz A53) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 |
| RAM | 3GB / 4GB / 6GB / 8GB LPDDR4X |
| Storage | 64GB / 128GB (Expandable via microSDXC) |
| Rear Camera | 8MP (f/2.0, PDAF) + AI Dual-Lens + LED Flash |
| Front Camera | 5MP (f/2.2, 1080p Video) |
| Video Recording | 1080p @ 30fps (Rear & Front) |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh Li-Po |
| Charging | 10W Wired (USB-C) |
| Durability | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 (Front) |
| Operating System | Android 14 with Xiaomi HyperOS (Full Version) |
| Network | 4G LTE (No 5G) · Dual Nano-SIM |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi b/g/n, Bluetooth 5.0, USB-C 2.0, 3.5mm Jack |
| Colors | Midnight Black, Forest Green, Lake Blue |
| Dimensions & Weight | 168.2 × 76.3 × 8.3 mm, 193g |
| Region | 64GB (3GB) | 128GB (4GB) | 128GB (8GB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🌍 Global (USD) | ~$80 | ~$95 | ~$115 |
| 🇪🇺 Europe (EUR) | ~€75 | ~€90 | ~€110 |
| 🇮🇳 India (INR) | ~₹6,999 | ~₹8,499 | ~₹9,999 |
| 🇨🇳 China (CNY) | ~¥599 | ~¥699 | ~¥849 |
* Prices are approximate. The Redmi A3 uses USB-C and includes Gorilla Glass 3 – key improvements over the Redmi A3x. Primarily available in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
✅ Pros & Cons
👍 Strengths
- 90Hz Smooth Display: Significantly smoother than 60Hz competitors.
- Helio G36: Faster than Unisoc T603 in A3x.
- USB-C Port: Modern connectivity standard.
- Gorilla Glass 3: Screen protection against scratches and drops.
- Full Android 14 HyperOS: Richer features than Go Edition.
- 5,000 mAh Battery: 1.5–2 days of typical use.
- 8MP PDAF Camera: Fast and accurate focus.
- 1080p Front Video: Better than A3x's 720p.
- microSDXC + 3.5mm Jack: Expandable storage and wired audio.
- Side Fingerprint Sensor: Fast and convenient.
- Excellent Value: ~$80 for a feature-rich device.
👎 Drawbacks
- HD+ Display: Not FHD+ resolution.
- No 5G: 4G LTE only.
- Only 8MP Camera: Basic photo quality.
- Slow 10W Charging: ~2.5 hours full charge.
- No Wireless Charging: Wired charging only.
- No NFC: No contactless payments.
- No IP Rating: No water resistance.
- Not for Heavy Gaming: Struggles with demanding titles.
🏆 Final Verdict
The Redmi A3 is the smarter buy compared to the A3x at virtually the same price – delivering more in every meaningful category. The switch to USB-C, 90Hz display, Gorilla Glass 3, and full HyperOS makes it a noticeably better daily experience that justifies the small price difference.
The Helio G36 ensures the phone remains fast and responsive for everyday tasks and light media use, while the 5,000 mAh battery provides exceptional endurance. The 90Hz refresh rate is a particularly welcome upgrade, making scrolling and navigation feel significantly more fluid than on standard 60Hz displays.
For users upgrading from a very old phone, or buying their first smartphone, the Redmi A3 offers excellent value for money without compromise. The only real shortcomings are shared with the whole budget category: no 5G, slow charging, and a basic camera – but at $80, these are expected trade-offs.
If you're choosing between the A3 and A3x: always choose the Redmi A3 – the upgrade is worth every extra dollar.
- Best For: First-time buyers, seniors, budget-conscious users, and those upgrading from very old phones.
- Skip If: You need 5G, fast charging, or a better camera.
- The Bottom Line: A well-rounded entry-level phone – the best choice under $100 in 2024 with USB-C, 90Hz display, and full HyperOS.
A well-rounded entry-level phone – the best choice under $100 in 2024 with USB-C, 90Hz display, and full HyperOS.
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