Here's what you get for under $150
The Xiaomi Redmi Y2 (also known as the Redmi S2) was one of the better low-end phones of 2018, bringing some unexpected features for a budget device. Now, the Redmi Y3 has officially been announced in India (along with the Redmi 7), so how does it stand out from last year’s model?
Redmi’s latest cut-price smartphone eschews a massive cutout in favor of a 6.26-inch waterdrop display (1,520 x 720). The design tweaks don’t stop there either, as the Redmi Y3 offers p2i water-repellent coating and a so-called Aura Prism rear design.
Pop the hood and you’ll see a few noteworthy upgrades here too, with the phone sporting the Snapdragon 632 chipset now. This is a pretty important upgrade, as the Snapdragon 632 brings heavyweight cores too, unlike the Y2’s Snapdragon 625. Another big improvement is the 4,000mAh battery, up from the older phone’s 3,080mAh pack. Otherwise, you’ve still got 3GB or 4GB of RAM, and 32GB or 64GB of expandable storage.
Switching to the camera field, Xiaomi’s phone maintains a 12MP f/2.2 primary camera (1.25 micron pixels), while a 2MP secondary shooter handles depth effects. The company adds that you can expect AI scene detection, but night mode isn’t on offer here unfortunately.
The biggest photography upgrade takes place on the front though, as the Redmi Y3 sports a 32MP front-facing camera. It’s a big resolution leap, but it enables pixel-binned 8MP shots to improve low-light performance. The 32MP shooter also offers auto HDR, palm shutter gestures, electronic stabilization, and the firm’s software-driven portrait mode.
| Xiaomi Redmi Y3 | |
|---|---|
Display | 6.26-inch waterdrop LCD |
SoC | Qualcomm Snapdragon 632 |
GPU | Adreno 506 |
RAM | 3GB/4GB |
Storage | 32GB/64GB |
Cameras | Rear |
Audio | 3.5mm port |
Battery | 4,000mAh |
IP rating | p2i hydrophobic coating |
Network | GSM: B2, B3, B5, B8 |
Connectivity | 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi |
SIM | Dual nano-SIM |
Software | MIUI 10 based on Android Pie |
Dimensions and weight | 158.65 x 76.43 x 8.47mm |
Colors | Prime Black, Bold Red, Elegant Blue |
Other notable features include MIUI 10 based on Android Pie, a rear fingerprint scanner, and an IR blaster. The Redmi Y3 will be available in Prime Black, Bold Red, and Elegant Blue. As for pricing, you’ll be paying 9,999 rupees (~$143) for the 3GB/32GB option, and 11,999 rupees (~$172) for the 4GB/64GB variant. The device will go on sale via Mi.com, Amazon India, Mi stores, and participating retailers from midday on April 30.
This wasn’t the only Redmi phone launched in India today, as the brand also brought the previously announced Redmi 7 to the country (seen below). The phone is near-identical to the Redmi Y3, using the same display, chipset, p2i coating, rear camera pairing, and battery size. But it differs by offering an 8MP selfie camera, and 2GB RAM in the base model.
The Redmi 7 will be available in black, red, and blue, starting at 7,999 rupees (~$114) for the 2GB/32GB option, and 8,999 rupees (~$129) for the 3GB/32GB variant. The device will be available from midday on April 29, via Mi.com, Mi stores, Amazon India, and participating retailers.
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