Xiaomi smartphones are famous for their competitive price, but they are not without disadvantages. Full 4G support is missing, Google-apps, you must install and import is required. The new Redmi Note 3 Pro solves the first two issues and focuses specifically on European customers. Or he hit the bull’s eye, you can read in this review.
Xiaomi expands to Europe
The chances are that you’re familiar with Xiaomi. The Chinese smartphonemaker is the recent years become a miljardenbedrijf that affordable devices with a good user experience sells. Officially operates Xiaomi, but in a handful of countries, although you can smartphones easy to get through international webshops. Xiaomi knows that, and has been working hard on expanding to the US (early next year) and European countries (at the end of this year started).
That is fine, because imported Xiaomi-phones now have two disadvantages. They are equipped as standard with Asian software with all sorts of apps but no Google services. That you need a roadmap to set up. Fiddly, but quite easy to solve. The second problem is that the devices offer for various reasons, not support for 4G band 20 on the 800 MHz frequency. That is for the most Dutch providers important to a stable and nationwide 4G network to guarantee. Xiaomi smartphones therefore work badly on the 4G networks of KPN, Vodafone and Tele2.
The first Xiaomi phone which is specially designed for European users, solves these two problems. The Redmi Note 3 Pro, as he is called, comes with the Android operating system including Google apps and supports all 4G bands. Additionally, it seems the sharp price/quality ratio is preserved: the unit cost of 150 euros and has a full-hd screen, fast processor and large battery. We take him under the microscope.
Design
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 Pro in three colors for sale: black, white, and gold (reviewmodel). The housing is made of metal with plastic edges on the top and bottom for good wireless reception. The device measures 15 x 7.6 x 0.87 inches and is 164 grams heavy. He leaves a solid impression, though the edges on the sides of the display, which is high and sharp. And the navigation buttons under the screen are a matter of taste. There are plenty of people that they prefer software buttons, but I’m not one of them. I am very pleased with the finger print scanner on the back of the smartphone. That is accurate, fast and works better than you on a cheap phone would expect.
in Terms of connectors, the Redmi Note 3 Pro with a 3.5 mm port, micro-usb and an infrared sensor. That is especially in this price range, and allows you to household devices such as your tv with the smartphone app to operate.
Display, sound, and cameras
The lcd display of the Redmi Note 3 Pro is 5.5 inches in size and looks by the full-hd resolution nice and sharp. The color reproduction is good and possibly something to adjust in the settings, the viewing angles are sufficient and the maximum brightness is also. Xiaomi, however, makes no mention of a scratch-resistant layer over the screen, which suggests that there’s not. A screenprotector thus seems to be no superfluous luxury.
The speaker on the back of the smartphone sits, leaves no special impression. The sound quality is acceptable without to fall and the speaker is loud enough. The location is not nice because the speaker quickly with your hands covered, or him on a table, and the volume is muted.
Photos and (full-hd) videos you make with the 16 megapixel camera. And that delivers during the day nice results, with enough sharpness, low noise and fast pdaf autofocus. The colors are somewhat drab, but the HDR mode solves that problem. Evening shoot the camera is less good photos, but useful they are definitely. The 5 megapixel front-facing camera does what it promises and does sufficient (day)light selfies. You can also use it for video calls in full hd quality.
Hardware
That the Redmi Note 3 Pro a budgetsmartphone is, you notice not to the speed of the device. The used Snapdragon the 650 chip is also in the three times as expensive Sony Xperia X, Compact, and guarantees for good performance. In benchmarktests scores it is high, with more than 76.000 points in Antutu as an example. The ram is 2GB, however, a bit smaller, and you notice that when switching between apps. There is less in memory, but it is a fact that we often see in this price range.
The battery is with a capacity of 4000 mAh is striking, but the Xiaomi devices I have tested have managed a large battery is not translating to a long life. The Redmi Note 3 Pro does that better, but after a long day of use, however, is empty. Support for rapid recharging or wireless charging is missing, but that are understandable cuts.
Also on the size of the internal storage memory is saved. There is 16GB available, of which 12GB is available. Have you not enough (and that is quite possible) then you can get a micro-sd card in the phone prick. You will lose the dual-sim feature for two sim cards. An nfc chip, for example, contactless payment is not present on the Xiaomi smartphone.
more Important is the complete Dutch 4G-support; a first for Xiaomi. An important first, because previous models were for many Dutch people are not so interesting because they work poorly with the 4G networks of KPN and Tele2. The Redmi Note 3 Pro has the necessary 4G band (20) on board so that you have everywhere in the Netherlands has a good 4G coverage. That works as it should and makes the phone overall a lot more attractive.
Software
The main disadvantage of Xiaomi phones is, for me, for years, the software. The MIUI 8-shell which the company is currently on Android, it is on all surfaces thoroughly and that takes in my opinion is almost always negative. The software, for example, has no Dutch language, there is no appoverzicht so that you a la iPhone all your apps on home screens will have to distribute, there is fiddled with notifications and there are a lot of unnecessary apps installed. All that changes visually too, to make MIUI completely different than the standard Android version and that of manufacturers like Samsung, HTC and Motorola. Xiaomi does it stand out from the rest and that is logical, but MIUI still needs many steps in terms of user-friendliness. The software has also good sides: so you can play two times the same app to install and use, so, for example, two time Pokémon Go and two times Whatsapp. Android offers this function, but Xiaomi has him perfectly added. Something else that Xiaomi h as added its Google apps and services. That happened on previous smartphones do not, so you had to arrange. Clumsy, and that Xiaomi now advance does indicate that the company’s software works.
Unfortunately the update policy of the Chinese manufacturer’s very disappointing: the Redmi Note 3 Pro is running at the time of writing still on Android 5.1 Lollipop, that almost two years ago has come true. Xiaomi rolls on, this time an Android 6.0 update, while other manufacturers already have Android 7.0-distribute updates. Or that software to the Redmi Note 3 Pro is a strong question, but I don’t rely on it. Also runs Xiaomi behind with the release of monthly Android security updates. Google has the 1 december update made available, but the Xiaomi smartphone is currently equipped with the 1 August update.
Conclusion
Xiaomi is after a couple of years so far for its smartphones in Europe to offer. Still import, but the 4G support is finally in order and the Redmi Note 3 Pro is also nicely supplied with a European plug. That the MIUI software is no Dutch language, is a pity. The same applies to the many unnecessary changes and delays with the Android version and security updates. Here Xiaomi has a lot to improve. The design is fortunately in good condition, and includes a premium case with finger print scanner and a good display. And under the hood is good hardware, so the Redmi Note 3 Pro fast, a long day will last, and neat pictures. On the software after there is very little negative to say about the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 Pro.
+ Luxurious and solid housing with finger print scanner
+ Beautiful full-hd display
+ Fast is in use
+ Good cameras
+ Going to be a long day
+ Full 4G support
- Obsolete Android version
- MIUI 8 software is uncomfortable
- Display seems to be not so scratch-resistant
For 150 euros (excluding import costs) you get a great smartphone in the house that Xiaomi’s European ambitions.
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