The Xiaomi Mi Max 3 has received a fair amount of attention with numerous leaks and teasers leading up to its release. Now, the Chinese Android major has made the Mi Max 3 official and most of what we've known so far have come to be true. The phablet is more or less similar to the Redmi Note 5 with the main differences being the huge 6.9-inch screen and a 5,500 mAh battery.
Like the Redmi Note 5, the Mi Max 3 runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 SoC with either 4 or 6 GB RAM. We've heard rumors about a possible Snapdragon 710 version but there are no signs of that yet. Storage options likewise include 64 GB and 128 GB options. The device features a FHD+ 18:9 6.9-inch display with not fairly thin bezels. There is a dual-camera setup at the back — a combination of a 12 MP f/1.9 1.4-micron pixel sensor and a 5 MP f/2.0 sensor for hardware bokeh effects. While the Redmi Note 5 offers a 13 MP selfie shooter, the Mi Max 3 is content with an 8 MP sensor. The standard fare of connectivity options are present including dual VoLTE, dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, and USB-C. Thankfully, the company has retained the 3.5-mm headphone jack. The 5,500 mAh battery should ensure that the device lasts easily through the day and still have enough charge for the next day.
The Mi Mix 3 runs on Android 8.1 Oreo with MIUI 9.5 on top of it. Needless to say, a MIUI 10 upgrade will be offered and possibly, even the MIUI 11. The smartphone is available for pre-orders now and come in Black, Champagne Gold, and Blue. The 4/64 version costs CNY1,699 (US$250) while the 6/128 version will set you back by CNY1,999 (US$295). With a weight of about 221 grams, the Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 might not be for everyone but is a decent option for those who need more screen real estate and long battery life.