The Xiaomi Mi 3, launched in September 2013, was a real revolution in the mobile market. It was the first model of the company to combine the flagship characteristics of the price of a mid-budget device. But what did this legendary gadget look like, which laid the foundation for the future success of the brand? If you are looking for information about the appearance of the Mi 3 — for nostalgia, comparison with modern models or before buying a used device — this article will help you understand all the details.
The Xiaomi Mi 3 was a breakthrough for its time, but today it may seem archaic against the backdrop of bezel-less screens and glass cases. However, this model first manifested the brand’s trademark features: minimalism, functionality and attention to ergonomics. Next, we will analyze in detail what materials the case is made of, where the buttons and connectors are located, what colors were available and how the device looks next to modern Xiaomi smartphones.
It is important to understand that the Mi 3 was released in two versions: standard (with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor) and Mi 3. TD-SCDMA (The Nvidia Tegra 4 is based on the Chinese market, and the two are identical in appearance, but the internal components are different.
Dimensions and weight: compactness by the standards of 2023
According to modern standards Xiaomi Mi 3 It seems incredibly compact. It's about the size of everything. 144 × 73,6 × 8,1 mm, and weight — 145 For comparison: the flagship Xiaomi 13 Pro (2023 year-weight 229 gram 8,4 The difference in ergonomics is noticeable - Mi 3 It is easy to hold with one hand, even with a plastic case.
The 8.1mm thickness was standard for 2013, but today such devices are considered "thin": for example, the iPhone 14 Pro is 7.9mm thick and the Samsung Galaxy is 7.9mm thick. S23 — 7.6 mm Mi 3 does not seem cumbersome due to rounded edges and uniform weight distribution, the only nuance is the asymmetrical position of the speaker on the lower edge, which slightly shifts the center of gravity.
Interestingly, despite its modest size, the Mi 3 was able to accommodate a battery capacity of 3050 mAh – this is more than many modern compact smartphones (for example, the iPhone 13 mini has a battery of 2406 mAh).
Materials of the case: premium plastic or budget savings?
The Xiaomi Mi 3 is made of matte plastic with a soft touch coating that prevents slipping in the hand. At first glance, the material seems budgetary, but in fact it was a conscious choice of engineers: Plastic allowed for better antenna reception (as opposed to metal cases of the time) and weight loss, and the Mi 3 didn't warm as much as metal competitors like the ones in the metallic world. HTC One M7.
The back panel is removable - under it are hidden:
- 🔋 Battery at 3050 mAh (removable, which is a rarity for flagships)
- 📶 Two slots for nano-SIM (or one) SIM + MicroSD up to 64 GB in some versions)
- 📡 Antenna lines integrated into the plastic cover
Color options were officially supplied in three versions:
- ⚫ Black (classic, with glossy insert around the camera)
- ⚪ White (less common, often premium version)
- 🟤 Green (limited series, rare in the secondary market)
It's worth noting that the Mi 3 plastic turns yellow over time, especially on white models, which is due to the quality of the material and exposure to ultraviolet light. If you buy a used device, pay attention to the state of the rear panel - strong yellowing can indicate long-term use or storage in direct sunlight.
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To return the original color to the yellowed plastic Xiaomi Mi 3, you can use hydrogen peroxide (12%) and ultraviolet lamp, a process called “plastic restoration” and takes 20-30 minutes.
Location of buttons and connectors: ergonomics 2013
The Xiaomi Mi 3 uses a classic layout of controls, which today seems unusual:
- 🔘 The power button is located on the top edge (like in the old iPhone)
- 🔊 Volume control buttons - on the left side face
- 🔌 MicroUSB 2.0 and 3.5 mm audio jack – on the lower edge
- 📞 The speaker and microphone are also at the bottom, but asymmetrical (the speaker is shifted to the left)
This arrangement of the power button is controversial today: on the one hand, it is convenient to press with your index finger when holding the phone in your hand, on the other hand, when using a case, access can be difficult. For comparison, the Xiaomi Mi 4 (2014) has already moved the button to the right edge, which has become the standard for all subsequent models.
On the front panel under the screen are:
- 🏠 Home Touch Button (without fingerprint scanner)
- 🔙 Back and menu buttons (also touch-sensitive, no backlighting)
- 📱 LED notification indicator (multicolor, customizable)
One of the most controversial design elements is the lack of physical buttons on the front panel.In 2013, this was an innovation (before the Mi 3, even the Samsung Galaxy). S4 had a physical Home button, but today touch keys seem less reliable, especially after the wear of the touch panel.
Screen: 5-inch Full HD budget-priced
Xiaomi Mi Display 3 He was one of the model's top cards. 5 inch he had permission 1920×1080 (Full HD) pixel density 441 ppi.com for comparison: iPhone 5s The same year, the screen 4 resolution 1136×640 (326 The difference in clarity was dramatic.
Screen technology:
- 📺 IPS LCD with good viewing angles (up to 178)°)
- 🌈 Support for 16.7 million colors (24-bit)
- ☀️ Brightness up to 450 nits (enough for the street, but not a record)
- 🛡️ Corning Gorilla Glass 3 (resistant to scratches)
The surroundings around the screen by modern standards are huge:
- Top frame: ~12 mm (there were sensors and front camera)
- Bottom frame: ~15 mm (touch buttons) + Mi logo)
- Side frames: ~5 mm (typical for 2013)
Despite the thick frame, the screen takes up ~68% of the front panel was a great figure for its time. S4 The screen-to-body ratio was only 65 percent, and today even budget smartphones have a score above 80 percent, but in 2013, the Mi 3 was considered one of the most bezel-free devices.
Why does the Mi 3 have such a thick bezels?
Cameras: design and layout of modules
Rear camera Xiaomi Mi 3 became one of the business cards of the model thanks to the dual camera LED-The module is located in the upper left corner of the back panel and slightly protrudes above the body (about 1 mm). This makes the phone less stable on a flat surface - it swings when pressed on the screen.
Characteristics of the main chamber:
- 📸 Resolution: 13 MP (Sony Sensor) IMX135)
- 🔍 Diaphragm: f/2.2
- 🎥 Video: 1080p@30fps, 720p@60fps
- 💡 Flash: double LED (warm + cold-light)
Front camera is more modest — 2 diaphragm-map f/2.4. It's above the screen in the center, next to the sensors and speaker speaker. Today, this resolution seems ridiculous (for comparison: Xiaomi). 13 Pro has a frontal on 32 MP, but in 2013 year-on-year 2 MP was enough for selfies and video calls.
The design of the chamber module stood out from the competitors:
- 🟥 The ring around the lens is made of chrome-plastic (not metal!)
- 🔴 There's a signature under the lens "13MP" (marketing)
- 🟡 The flash is split into two LEDs, giving more natural lighting.
One of the drawbacks is that there's no optical stabilization, and when you're shooting video in motion, it's very shaky, which was typical of smartphones at the time, and users often complained about the lights when you're shooting against the sun because you're not shooting it. HDR-regime.
Comparison with modern Xiaomi smartphones: what has changed?
If you put the Xiaomi Mi 3 next to a 2023 flagship, like the Xiaomi 13 Ultra, the difference is striking. Let's compare the key design aspects:
| Characteristics | Xiaomi Mi 3 (2013) | Xiaomi 13 Pro (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Case material | Matte plastic | Glass. + aluminum-frame |
| Thickness | 8.1 mm | 8.4 mm (but weight 80 g more) |
| Screen to body ratio | ~68% | ~92% |
| Connectors | microUSB + 3.5mm audio | USB-C (3.5 mm) |
| Chamber module | Single lens + double-flare | Four lenses + laser-focus |
Despite the differences, the Mi 3 has several advantages over modern smartphones:
- ✅ Removable battery (today it is a rarity)
- ✅ Slot for memory card (in the flagships of 2023 it is almost gone)
- ✅ 3.5 mm audio jack (important for music lovers)
- ✅ Lightweight (145g vs 200)+ d. modern models)
However, in other ways, Mi 3 loses:
- ❌ No water protection (even by standard) IP53)
- ❌ No wireless charging.
- ❌ No fingerprint scanner (only available in Mi 5)
- ❌ No support. 5G (maximum — 4G LTE Cat.4)
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The Xiaomi Mi 3 remains relevant for nostalgic users, collectors or those looking for the simplest and most maintainable smartphone, but for everyday use in 2026 it is not suitable due to outdated software and lack of modern features.
How to distinguish the original from the fake: 5 key signs
Xiaomi Mi 3 counterfeits are common in the secondary market, especially in Chinese online stores.
⚠️ Note: The most common fake is the Xiaomi Mi 3 with a MediaTek processor instead of the Snapdragon 800, which pretends to be the original, but they are much slower and do not support all the functions. MIUI.
The features of the original Xiaomi Mi 3:
- 🔍 The serial number on the battery sticker must match the number in the settings (Settings) → The phone. → General information)
- 📦 The box should be made of dense cardboard with the Mi logo and a holographic sticker.
- 🔋 The original battery has a capacity of 3050 mAh and the inscription "Made in China by" ATL"
- 📱 The screen of the original has an oleophobic coating (water droplets roll, not spread)
- 🔊 The speaker should make a clear sound without wheezing (cheap speakers are often used in fakes)
Also check the firmware: the original Mi 3 works on the MIUI (If the interface looks like stock Android without Xiaomi chips, you're a fake. To check, download the official software through Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system.
Make sure the serial number matches in the settings and on the box|
Check the battery capacity (should be 3050 mAh)|
Evaluate the quality of the assembly (no backlashes, creaks)|
Check the operation of all buttons and connectors|
Set benchmark (AnTuTu must show) ~35,000-40,000 points)-->
If you are buying the Mi 3 for the collection, pay attention to the condition of the box and the trim.
- 📱 Smartphone
- 🔋 Battery (removable)
- ⚡ Charger (5V/2A)
- 📶 MicroUSB cable (black, with Mi logo)
- 📄 Documentation (guarantee card, instruction in Chinese/English)
- 🔧 Paperclip for the tray SIM-map
Where to see Xiaomi Mi 3 today: museums, collections, market
The new Xiaomi Mi 3 is not available today, production has long ceased.
In the secondary market:
- 🛒 Avito, Yula - prices from 3000 to 8000 rubles depending on the condition
- 🌍 AliExpress, eBay – the risk of running into a fake or a device with a worn-out battery
- 🏪 Specialized retro equipment stores (for example, RetroMobile in Moscow)
In museums of technology:
- 🏛️ The Apple and Xiaomi Museum in Shenzhen, China – the original Mi 3 in factory packaging is displayed there
- 🏛️ Museum of Mobile Phones in St. Petersburg (sometimes hosts exhibitions of retro devices)
In the collections of enthusiasts:
- 🤳 Groups in VKontakte and Telegram (for example, "Collectors Xiaomi")
- 📸 Instagram accounts dedicated to retro technology (hashtags #XiaomiMi3, #RetroTech)
If you are looking for a Mi 3 for everyday use, consider that:
- 🔋 The battery will likely require replacement (life of Li-ion batteries is 3-5 years)
- 📱 MIUI on older versions of Android (maximum - Android 6.0 Marshmallow via custom firmware)
- 📡 No support for modern networks (maximum — LTE Cat.4, no 5G or Wi-Fi 6)
⚠️ Note: When buying a used Xiaomi Mi 3 be sure to check IMEI via imei.info. Some devices may have been stolen or blocked by the operator. Also check if the bootloader is unlocked, which is required to install custom firmware.