The REDMI A3 is an entry-level 4G phone with a large 90Hz screen and a 5,000mAh battery. Xiaomi announced it in India on February 14, 2024. It reached Europe in March 2024, where it started at €119.90 for the 3GB + 64GB model. In India and global markets, the same phone is also sold as the POCO C61.
Design and display
The A3 has a large round camera module in the center of the back. The Midnight Black and Star Blue models have a glass back. Forest Green uses a matte, leather-like finish instead. The phone measures 168.4 x 76.3 x 8.3 mm.
The front has a 6.71-inch LCD panel with a waterdrop notch. Its resolution is 1650 x 720 pixels, or 268 ppi. The refresh rate goes up to 90Hz in supported apps. Xiaomi rates the brightness at 500 nits and adds DC dimming. Corning Gorilla Glass protects the screen.
Performance
Inside is the MediaTek Helio G36, an octa-core 12nm chip that runs at up to 2.2GHz. Global models come with 3GB + 64GB or 4GB + 128GB. India also gets a 6GB + 128GB version. RAM is LPDDR4X, and storage is eMMC 5.1.
A dedicated microSD slot accepts cards up to 1TB. Virtual RAM can add up to 4GB more on the 4GB model. Wi-Fi works on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, and Bluetooth 5.4 is on board. There is no NFC and no 5G.
Cameras
The rear camera is an 8MP main sensor with an f/2.0 lens. A small QVGA auxiliary lens sits next to it. The front camera has 5MP and an f/2.2 lens. Both cameras record video at up to 1080p and 30fps. The software adds film filters, HDR, portrait mode and a soft-light ring for selfies.
Battery and charging
The battery has a typical capacity of 5,000mAh. Charging runs at up to 10W through USB Type-C. Xiaomi says the power adapter is sold separately in some regions. In Notebookcheck’s review, a full charge took up to three hours.
Software and updates
The global model ships with Android 14. At its Indian launch, reports listed Android 13 Go edition. Xiaomi promises two major Android updates and three years of security patches. Unlocking works with a side fingerprint sensor or with 2D face unlock. A 3.5mm headphone jack and FM radio are also included.
Should you buy the REDMI A3?
The REDMI A3 suits buyers who want a big screen and long battery life for little money. Its microSD slot and headphone jack help with storage and wired audio. The 90Hz display makes scrolling smoother than on many 60Hz rivals.
On the other hand, the Helio G36 is a slow chip, and the 8MP camera is basic. Charging at 10W takes a long time. Buyers who need NFC payments or 5G should look at other models.
