The best-selling Android One line-up ever has finally a new-entry: the Xiaomi Mi A3. The new affordable device belonging to the only Xiaomi’s line-up with Android One is nothing more than a global variant of the recently-announced Xiaomi Mi CC9e for the Chinese market. The new handset belongs to the mid-range segment which includes the best-selling phones in the whole market, so it will have a lot of competitors. Among these ones, there is also another Xiaomi device: the Redmi Note 7. Will they cannibalize each other depending on the market? And what will happen with Realme X which is one of their best competitors from other smartphones manufacturers? Given that we define these three devices as three of the most valid choices in the affordable segment, we decided to compare them with each other in order to let you know which one you should go for.

 

Xiaomi Mi A3 vs Redmi Note 7 vs Realme X

Xiaomi Mi A3 Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Realme X
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT 153.5 x 71.9 x 8.5 mm, 173.8 grams 159.2 x 75.2 x 8.1 mm, 186 grams 161.2 x 76 x 8.6 mm, 191 grams
DISPLAY 6.01 inches, 720 x 1560p (HD+), 286 ppi, Super AMOLED 6.3 inches, 1080 x 2340p (Full HD+), 409 ppi, IPS LCD 6.53 inches, 1080 x 2340p (Full HD+), 394 ppi, AMOLED
PROCESSOR Qualcomm Snapdragon 665, octa-core 2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 660, octa-core 2.2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 710, octa-core 2.2 GHz
MEMORY 4 GB RAM, 64 GB   – 6 GB RAM, 128 GB – micro SD slot 3 GB RAM, 32 GB – 4 GB RAM, 64 GB  – 6 GB RAM, 64 GB – micro SD slot 4 GB RAM, 64 GB – 6 GB RAM, 64 GB – 8 GB RAM, 128 GB
SOFTWARE Android 9 Pie, Android One Android 9 Pie, MIUI Android 9 Pie, Color OS
CONNECTIVITY Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5, GPS Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5, GPS  Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5, GPS
CAMERA Triple 24 + 8 + 2 MP f/1.8, f/2.2 and f/2.4
32 MP f/2.0 front camera		 Dual 48 + 5 MP f/1.8 and f/2.4
13 MP front camera		 Dual 48 + 5 MP f/1.7 and f/2.4
16 MP f/2.0 front camera
BATTERY 4030 mAh, fast charging 10W 4000 mAh, fast charging 3765 mAh, fast charging 20W
ADDITIONAL FEATURES Hybrid Dual SIM slot Hybrid Dual SIM slot  Dual SIM slot

Design

There is no challenge here, Xiaomi Mi A3is my favorite one because it has the most premium materials: glass for the back and aluminum for the frame, with an in-display fingerprint scanner making the rear side clean and stunning, as well as a high screen-to-body ratio and amazing light effects which change depending on light reflection. With its flagship-like pop-up camera, Realme X takes the second place, it is definitely not the winner because of its plastic design. Redmi Note 7 has a pretty nice glass back, but not as stunning as the Xiaomi Mi A3, and it comes with a plastic frame instead of aluminum.

 

Display

Xiaomi Mi A3 has a pretty nice display with its OLED technology showing brilliant colors, and it is even a very compact panel with its 6-inch size. Redmi Note 7 comes with a higher resolution that is a higher level of detail, but it has the less impressive IPS technology for more washed-out colors. Realme X is definitely the perfect one: not only it has the AMOLED technology, but also a higher Full HD+ resolution and a big, 6.53-inch display size. So it simply comes with the most complete display.

 

Specs & Software

Realme X has no rivals even when it comes to hardware and performance. Its Snapdragon 710 chipset, is ore powerful than both the Snapdragon 665 and 660 found on the Redmi Note 7 and the Mi A3. Further, the most powerful variant of the Realme X has a better memory configuration, with 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage. There is no expandable storage, but it is a detail you can ignore with such a powerful hardware department. When it comes to the software, I prefer the Xiaomi Mi A3 because it comes with Android One, so a stock Android experience, faster updates and longer software support by Google.

 

Camera

The Xiaomi Mi CC series is focused on camera quality, and so is the Xiaomi Mi A3. On the paper, the new Xiaomi mid-ranger has undoubtedly the best camera department with a triple setup on the back including a 48 MP main sensor, as well as an awesome 32 MP selfie snapper.

 

Battery

Last but not least, the batteries. Despite there is not a big difference in the battery capacities of these handsets, I firmly believe that Xiaomi Mi A3 will last a lot more on a single charge. This will happen most likely because it has a more efficient and compact display.

 

Price

Xiaomi Mi A3 debuted in the global market with a €250/$280 price tag, Redmi Note 7 costs €179/$200 globally, and Realme X costs €160/$180 in the Asian market (still unavailable globally). Overall, I would recommend the Xiaomi Mi A3 due to its longer battery life, Android One, premium design, and amazing cameras. But if you want a big display and better performances, Realme X is the best choice for you.

 

Xiaomi Mi A3 vs Redmi Note 7 vs Realme X: PROs and CONS

Xiaomi Redmi Note 7

PROs

  • Widest availability
  • Affordable price
  • 1080p 120 fps video recording
  • Good battery life

CONS

  • IPS display and no UD fingerprint scanner

 

Xiaomi Mi A3

PROs

  • Better design and build quality
  • Amazing cameras
  • Longer battery life
  • More compact

CONS

  • HD display

 

Realme X

PROs

  • Higher performance
  • Better display
  • Faster charging
  • Pop-up camera

CONS

  • Plastic body

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR