It’s been a long time since the Redmi Note 3 lineup was released, but the devices are still popular in the secondary market. However, the confusion between the regular Snapdragon 410 version and the more powerful Pro version with the Snapdragon 650 has not disappeared. Customers often face unscrupulous sellers who pass off the cheap version as expensive, changing only stickers or firmware.
Visually, these devices are almost identical, making identification difficult for an untrained user, with differences in hardware, software identifiers, and even small body parts that are easy to miss on a quick look, and a mistake in choosing can cost you performance, support for current versions of Android, and stability of the system as a whole.
In this article, we will take a look at all the ways you can check, from a simple inspection to an engineering menu, and you will learn to accurately determine which model you have in your hands or are selling, and this knowledge will help you avoid buying a “cat in a bag” and overpaying for features that are not physically present in the device.
Visual differences and marking of the body
The first thing that catches your eye when you look closely is the marking on the back cover. The original Redmi Note 3 Pro devices often (but not always) have the Snapdragon processor logo or the Pro label next to the model name. However, you can’t rely on this feature alone, since the covers are easily changed and the stickers are glued together by unscrupulous assemblers.
Pay attention to the tray for SIM-In the Pro version, the tray often has a specific shape and color that differs from the standard version. SE (Special Edition, or global version on MediaTek, the metal tray should match perfectly with the frame color of the case, and if you see a plastic tray or metal of a different shade, that's a question.
⚠️ Attention: Snapdragon logo on the lid is not 100% guaranteed. Chinese craftsmen have learned to stamp the hulls with any inscriptions. Always check the internal parameters.
The Pro version uses a more modern USB standard, although the Micro-USB connector may look the same. An important visual marker is the weight of the device. The Redmi Note 3 Pro is noticeably heavier due to its metal body and larger battery, weighing about 164 grams, while the MTK version is lighter.
If you can compare the two devices side by side, look at the thickness of the frames around the display. The Pro version may be minimally thinner because of the different layout of the board, but the difference is so microscopic that it is almost impossible to notice without a barbell.
Checking through system settings and About Phone
The easiest way to check is to look at your smartphone settings. Go to Settings → Phone. This is the device model. The Pro version is kenzo (Global) or kate (Chinese version with NFC). If you see codes like land or prada, you have a version based on MediaTek.
In the same section, look at the kernel version and build number. Pro firmware often has the letter "P" or the word "Pro" in its title. However, the software shell can be reflashed, so the data in the About Phone menu can be changed software. Attackers modify the build.prop file to hide the real model.
- 📱 Model: Look for kenzo, kate codes for Pro version.
- 📱 Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 650 must be specified.
- 📱 The kernel version often contains information about the platform.
💡
If the settings indicate 6 cores, but only the top of the smartphone warms up when loaded (where powerful cores are usually located), this is a good sign of the presence of the Snapdragon 650, since it has a cluster architecture.
It is important to check the declared amount of RAM with real. Redmi Note 3 Pro was released in versions 2/16, 3/32 and 4/64 GB. If you are offered the “Pro” version with 1 GB of RAM, it is definitely a fake or the usual version. Also pay attention to the screen resolution: the Pro it is 1920×1080 (Full HD), whereas budget counterparts often have 1280×720.
Identification by IMEI and serial number
The most reliable method of verification, which is difficult to fake without special equipment, is the check. IMEI-Type *#06# on your phone keyboard, and display SIM card data and device IDs, which should match those on the box and, in some cases, under the battery (although the Note 3 battery is not removable, the data is duplicated in the system).
Check the number of IMEIs displayed. The Redmi Note 3 Pro is a full-fledged dual-sim phone. If the system shows only one IMEI or the second one is listed as "Null/Unknown", this is an alarm. In the version on MediaTek, the display structure of the data may differ.
What to do if IMEI doesn’t break through?
The serial number (S/N) also carries information. The first characters may indicate the manufacturer and release date. The Pro versions are characterized by certain prefixes that are easily Googled on Xiaomi forums. Compare the release date encoded in the serial number with the date on the box. The date difference indicates a replacement case or re-labeling of the nameplates.
Technical differences: Processor and performance
The main technical difference lies in the heart of the device. Redmi Note 3 Pro is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 650 processor, which is made on 28-nm process technology and has 6 cores (2 powerful Cortex-A72 and 4 energy-efficient Cortex-A53). The conventional version (SE) is based on MediaTek Helio X10 or Snapdragon 410, which gives a huge difference in speed.
In benchmarks like AnTuTu, the Pro version consistently scores around 80,000 to 90,000. The MediaTek version barely reaches 40,000 to 45,000. If the vendor allows the performance test to run, the difference will be visible to the naked eye. The Pro version runs much smoother in the interface and heavy applications.
| Characteristics | Redmi Note 3 Pro (Kenzo) | Redmi Note 3 (MTK/Prada) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Snapdragon 650 (6 cores) | Helio X10 (8 cores) |
| AnTuTu (scores) | ~85 000 | ~45 000 |
| Graphics | Adreno 510 | PowerVR G6200 |
| Support for 4G+ | There is (Carrier Aggregation) | No. |
Also worth noting is support for networks. Snapdragon 650 supports a wider range of LTE frequencies and frequency aggregation technology, which provides a more stable and faster mobile Internet.
Diagnostics through the Engineering Menu and ADB
For advanced users, there is a way to check through Qualcomm's engineering menu. Dial the code ##6484## or #4636#. From the menu that opens, select Device Info or Hardware info. Here's a detailed chipset model. Look for the Hardware line: it should say Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. MSM8956 (this is the Snapdragon 650).
If you have a computer, you can plug your smartphone into USB debugging mode and use ADB. Adb shell getprop ro.board.platform will give you the code name for the platform. Pro version will answer msm8956 or kenzo. MediaTek version will answer mt6795.
adb shell cat /proc/cpuinfoThis command will show you the full details of the processor, and the Hardware section will give you the exact name, and this is the most reliable software method, because this data is stitched up in the processor itself and you can't change it by simply flashing it.
⚠️ Warning: Be careful when typing commands in the engineering menu (IMEI) It can cause the phone to lose its ability to work in cellular networks.
Comparison of cameras and multimedia
While the camera modules are visually similar, their software processing and real-world capabilities vary.The Redmi Note 3 Pro features a 16MP core module (Sony IMX298) with phase autofocus.The regular version often has a 13MP sensor without phase autofocus, which significantly affects focus speed.
Check the quality of the video recording. The Pro version can shoot video in 4K resolution (albeit with stabilization restrictions) and 1080p at 60 frames per second. Budget versions are limited to 1080p at 30 frames. Try to start the camera and switch to slow-motion: on the Pro it runs smoothly, on weaker versions it may not be available or work with artifacts.
- 📸 Autofocus: PDAF (phase) only in the Pro version.
- 📸 Video: 4K Available only for the Snapdragon 650.
- 📸 Scanner: In Pro version, the fingerprint scanner works faster and more accurately.
☑️ Checking the camera
The soundtrack can also be different. The Pro version often uses a better DAC, which provides a slightly cleaner sound in the headphones. However, in practice, when listening through the built-in speaker, the difference may not be as obvious due to the age of the devices.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I replay the Redmi Note 3 (MTK) in the Pro version?
Why is it Redmi Note 3 and not Pro?
Which version is better for installing custom firmware?
Does the different versions affect the NFC?
💡
The surest way to distinguish the Pro version is by combining the code name check (kenzo) in the settings and the results of the AnTuTu test (over 80,000 points).