Replacement for Xiaomi Redmi Note 3?

OldBugger on 11/08/2019 - 13:12

I can hear the laughter here. Yes, an oldy but in my mind has been a great phone and does all that I need.

What do I like:

  • fingerprint sensor on rear of phone
  • 3GB RAM
  • headphone jack
  • B28
  • price (at the time was under $200)
  • IR blaster
  • camera (constantly told how amazing the picture quality is in good lighting)

Not so much

  • MIUI

It is unfortunate that I need to upgrade it only due to battery life. Plus it would be nice to not have a long hairline crack in the screen.

Thoughts on an upgrade that will cover what I like plus a similar price tag?

Cheers

Mobile Mobile Phone Xiaomi Android

Comments

  • trinkasharma on 11/08/2019 - 13:43
    +5

    You can change the battery. You can change the ROM too.

    It is a great phone for sure.

    • OldBugger on 11/08/2019 - 14:33
      +1

      Didn't know that. Will look into a battery replacement. Cheers.

      Yes I thought the later redmi note models would naturally be as good if not better but seems they lose something or other, especially b28.

      So wondering what else is out there for the price range.

  • Diji1 on 11/08/2019 - 17:27
    -3

    Sharp Aquos S3 if you can live without the headphone jack.

  • CrazyBargainCatcher on 11/08/2019 - 17:38
    +1

    Xiaomi Mi A2 lite or not lite however lite has 25% bigger battery at 4010mah
    SD 630 on lite and 660 on non lite
    4GB ram on non lite and 3GB for lite
    Lite is about $170-185
    Non lite is about $180-200
    Both on Aliexpress.
    This is including 5% cash aback from shop back however sometimes they have 20%Cashback

    • dafil on 12/08/2019 - 13:06

      I had a Redmi Note 2 and upgraded to this one.

      The Mi A2 Lite works well. The fingerprint scanner is very handy, and battery lasts ages. Almost a week between charges for my usage, and I charge when it gets to 30-40%.

      And I also upgraded due to battery issues on the Note.

      I got mine from Tobydeals.

  • ripesashimi on 11/08/2019 - 17:52

    200 aud years ago was more than 200 USD. Now its only 135 USD, way too low for even a Xiaomi.

    Mi A2 lite is way too underpowered imo. Its hella thick too. I bought it but rarely used it cus it lags playing Life is Strange, which is not resource demanding at all. Mi A2 is bug ridden said by the dudes on xda A2 forum.

    Mi A3 is cheap if you like Android One. B28 ticked. Magisk/TWRP is a pain on Android One.

    Mi 9T has B28 but its $400-420 AUD.

    I would go with RMN7, no B28 but there are other bands in my area.

    • CrazyBargainCatcher on 11/08/2019 - 18:00

      The thing about the Mi A3 is it only has a HD screen compared to FHD on the Mi A2 and it’s almost double the cost

      • ripesashimi on 11/08/2019 - 18:02

        Oh my bad. I dont own it so idk. Weird cus even A2 lite has FHD.

      • OldBugger on 11/08/2019 - 18:51

        Does the A3 have b28? Seems to be unconfirmed on the last deal here.

    • OldBugger on 11/08/2019 - 18:30

      Ok. The lite almost looks good except no ir blaster and the bugs don't sound good. Edit: looks like it does have ir blaster. Hmm.. will look into how bad these bugs are then

    • letmethefuqin on 11/08/2019 - 19:46

      RMN7 does come out with B28 its the M1901F7H version
      which is the Taiwan version I think (apparently not the global model)

      Edit: Source
      https://fccid.io/2AFZZ-RMSF7H/Letter/Cover-letter-4142497

      Also, for those on IOS apparently this is how you check what band you are on
      3001#12345#

      I'm on B28 :(

      • OldBugger on 11/08/2019 - 20:14

        Thanks.

        I've tried Signal check and LTE discovery apps but they don't actually state what band I am on. Not sure if it is just me or not.

    • illumination on 19/08/2019 - 01:25

      Magisk/TWRP is a pain on Android One.

      What makes Magisk/TWRP on Android One more of a pain than on non-Android One devices?

      • ripesashimi on 19/08/2019 - 09:14

        A/B partition and forced encryption. Basically Magisk and TWRP cant exist in the same partition or both become buggy. Forced encryption happens with any custom ROMs. This is on Mi A2 lite.

        There's also OTA and Magisk. Device loses Magisk every update.

  • citybargainhunter on 11/08/2019 - 18:27

    I was in the same boat.

    Recently purchased a Xiaomi Redmi Note 7, been happy with it so far, only issue is I can't get tethering to work with my laptop for some reason.

    • OldBugger on 11/08/2019 - 18:31

      No b28 unfortunately. Would be perfect otherwise

  • stevednj48 on 11/08/2019 - 20:05

    you can get battery's cheap on ebay with the tools to open phone

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vIBsawhH2A shows you how to do it

  • dasher86 on 11/08/2019 - 22:36

    asus zenfone max pro m1 or m2.
    I don't think it has an IR blaster though.
    I didn't know there were phones that still had that feature.

  • HeWhoKnows on 12/08/2019 - 20:39

    Xiaomi Redmi Note 4

  • Whatisthatvelvet on 13/08/2019 - 11:35

    Just changed the battery on my Redmi Note Pro 3 (Kate) yesterday.

    $15 battery from ebay. 10 minute job.

    Gives it a new life as my backup phone.

    • OldBugger on 13/08/2019 - 11:42

      Great to hear. I'll look it up on ebay. Cheers

  • illumination on 19/08/2019 - 01:29

    I'm in a slightly similar position but wanting to upgrade from a Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 instead of a Redmi Note 3. Did the Redmi Note 3 have a better camera than the Redmi Note 4?

    I'm currently leaning towards a Redmi Note 7 but I'd like NFC and I'd prefer "pure" Android. Not fussed about the lack of B28.

    fingerprint sensor on rear of phone

    I find that I actually having one on the front. I've also got a Sharp Aquos S2 which has a front fingerprint scanner and I find using the thumb on the front just as "natural" the placement of the index finger on the back, with the added advantage of not having to pick a phone up to unlock if it's sitting flat on a desk.

    • OldBugger on 19/08/2019 - 01:42

      Fresh from the net:
      "Although the resolution is less, the camera sensor is of a higher quality on the Redmi Note 4, leading to much better images."

      Good point about the front sensor being able to unlock at the desk. Makes sense.

      Think in going to wait for redmi note 8. Probably be without b28 though ಠ_ಠ

  • UncommonName on 02/11/2019 - 15:38

    I also have a Xiaomi Redmi Note 3, that too the 2 GB RAM and 16 GB ROM version! Anyway, looking to RN7P, will buy when it hits 250 AUD.

    • OldBugger on 02/11/2019 - 16:43

      Any reason not to go with the RN8P?

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