Xiaomi Redmi Note 3: What Android is and what to install

Owners of the legendary Xiaomi Redmi Note 3, released in 2015, often wonder about the current relevance of the software of their device. This smartphone became a real bestseller thanks to the metal body and powerful at the time processor, but time takes its toll. Official support has long ceased, and many users are looking for ways to breathe new life into the gadget.

The answer to the question of which Android is on the Redmi Note 3 depends on which version is in question, since the device was released on two different platforms. Officially, the latest firmware version for this model is based on Android 6.0 Marshmallow with the shell of MIUI 9. However, enthusiasts have created many informal builds that allow you to run even more recent versions of the operating system.

Understanding firmware versions is important not only out of curiosity, but also for compatibility with modern applications. Many banking programs and instant messengers are gradually losing support for older APIs, making the update critical for comfortable use. In this article, we will discuss in detail the software history of the device.

The official versions of Android and the differences of platforms

The biggest challenge in owning this smartphone is that it has two completely different hardware platforms: the global version, known as Kenzo or Kate, is built on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 650 processor, which has received broad support from the development community and has the most firmware available.

The Chinese version, codenamed Henan, was powered by a MediaTek Helio X10 processor, which was less successful in terms of updates, and officially stopped with Android 6.0, but because of the closedness of MediaTek drivers, custom firmware is difficult and often unstable.

⚠️ Warning: Before any software manipulation, be sure to check the code name of your device in the About Phone section. Installing Snapdragon firmware on the MediaTek version will cause the smartphone to fail completely.

Differences in processor architecture determine not only performance, but also availability of Android cores. If you own a Snapdragon version, you have a wide range of options. MediaTek version owners often have to settle for a stock system or search for rare ports.

It's important to understand that even within the same platform, there could be different revisions to motherboards, which affected some modules, like a fingerprint scanner or an NFC module, in early firmware versions, and these issues were later addressed in MIUI updates.

Evolution of MIUI shells based on Android 6.0

Although the basic version of the operating system remained unchanged at the level of Android 6.0, the interface and functionality were changed thanks to the updates to the MIUI shell. Xiaomi actively developed the software, adding new features, improving security and optimizing battery life.

Users who didn’t reflash could get updates up to MIUI 9, the last official version released by the manufacturer, bringing design changes, new controls and improved notifications, making the old Android experience more comfortable.

It's worth noting that switching between major versions of MIUI often required a complete data cleanup, so when upgrading from MIUI 7 to MIUI 9, many users faced the need to reset settings, a standard procedure for ensuring the stability of the system after major changes in the code.

Despite its age, the optimization of MIUI 9 allowed the smartphone to work smoothly enough in everyday tasks, but with the release of new versions of heavy applications, the load on the GPU and CPU increased, and even the latest official firmware ceased to cope with modern requirements.

Installation capabilities of Android 7, 8, 9 and higher

Thanks to the active XDA Developers community, Redmi Note 3 owners on Snapdragon have been able to go beyond the manufacturer’s limitations, creating ports that allow you to install Android 7.0 Nougat, 8.0 Oreo, 9.0 Pie and even Android 10 and 11, although the latter are already operating with serious restrictions.

The most stable and recommended for everyday use are the versions based on Android 7.1 and Android 8.1. They retain good performance, and most modern applications still support these versions of the API. Switching to Android 9 and higher is possible, but can be accompanied by a decrease in performance.

To install new versions of Android, you need to unlock the Bootloader.This procedure is officially supported by Xiaomi, but requires waiting for 168 hours (7 days) after you link your Mi Account to the device.

There are also different build variations: LineageOS, Pixel Experience, Resurrection Remix. Each offers its own set of features and level of optimization. The choice of a particular build depends on the user’s personal preferences and the need for certain features, such as Google Pay (which works through workarounds on older Android) or customization of the interface.

Comparison of stock and custom systems

To see if you should switch to custom firmware, you need to compare the capabilities of the stock system and modified builds. Stock MIUI offers full compatibility with all hardware, but is limited to the older version of Android. Custom firmware gives fresh software, but can have bugs.

The table below compares key parameters so you can evaluate the feasibility of the upgrade.

As you can see from the table, Android 8.1 is often the middle ground, and it’s already modern enough to run most of the latest versions of Google Play apps, but it’s not yet heavy enough to overload the Snapdragon 650 processor.

Special attention should be paid to the camera. On stock firmware, photo processing algorithms are sharpened for a specific sensor. When you switch to pure Android, the quality of images can fall if you do not use special versions of camera applications known as GCam (Google Camera ports).

Instructions for preparation for reflashing

If you are determined to update your Redmi Note 3, you need to be prepared carefully, the process is error-free and requires care. The first step is always to create a full backup of all important data, as the memory of the device will be completely cleared during the operation.

You will need a computer with Windows operating system, USB-Good quality cable and Internet access, and you also need to download and install drivers. ADB And Fastboot. Without them, the computer will not be able to interact correctly with the smartphone in bootloader mode.

The next step is unlocking the bootloader, and you need to download the Mi Unlock Tool from the official website, log in to your Mi Account, and follow the instructions on the screen, and remember that you have to wait 7 days after you file for unlock, and re-submitting the application will reset the timer.

⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader automatically performs a full Wipe Data reset. Make sure all important files are saved to an external medium or in the cloud.

Once successfully unlocked, you can switch to a customized recavator, such as TWRP. This is a special recovery environment that allows you to install firmware, make full system backups and clean the cache. TWRP is installed via Fastboot using the command fastboot flash recovery twrp.img.

Solutions and optimization of work

Once a new system is installed, users may encounter a number of common problems, often when the fingerprint scanner or NFC module is not working, and this is solved by installing the right drivers or patches specific to your firmware version.

Another common problem is that the battery drains quickly after the first installation, which is normal because the system takes time to index files and optimize applications, and usually after 2-3 days of use, the situation stabilizes, and the battery begins to keep the charge for the usual time.

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Use freezer apps for Google system services if you want to maximize battery life on older versions of Android.

To improve performance in the developer settings, you can rescale the animation, make the interface more visually responsive, and it is also recommended to disable unused geolocation services and background synchronization for applications that you rarely use.

If your smartphone starts to heat up for no apparent reason, check the list of processes running. Sometimes an incorrect application can put a strain on the processor, in which case cleaning the cache of applications or completely reinstalling them helps.

Should we update the Redmi Note 3 in 2026?

In today’s world, using the Redmi Note 3 as the primary device can be difficult. Even with Android 10 installed, the hardware of the smartphone, especially the amount of RAM (2 or 3 GB) and the type of memory eMMC 5.0, are bottlenecks.

However, like a second phone, a phone caller, an in-car navigator or a smart home media center, this smartphone is a smart phone. vẫn Installing a light firmware based on Android 8.1 or 9.0 will allow it to work stably and perform basic functions.

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The Redmi Note 3 in 2026 is a great candidate for a budget device for specific tasks, but you should not expect it to be a flagship performance.

For kids or seniors who need a simple phone for instant messengers and YouTube, the updated Redmi Note 3 is a good option.

In conclusion, the answer to the question "what Android is on Redmi Note 3" depends on your goals. Officially, it's Android 6.0, but enthusiasts can get Android 10. The choice is yours, but be aware of the risks and technical limitations of the hardware.