Xiaomi Mi 3 is a cult smartphone that in 2013 turned the idea of the ratio of price to quality, then it was sold for ridiculous by today's standards money, and iron is not inferior to the flagships from Samsung and Apple. But more than 10 years have passed — should I buy this device now? How much is it on the secondary market in 2026? And most importantly: will it cope with modern tasks?
In this article, we'll look at the current prices for the Mi 3 in different states, compare it to budget innovations, tell you where it's safe to buy a used model, and honestly assess who this gadget might be suitable for. Spoiler: if you need a smartphone for calls, messengers and light apps, this is one of the cheapest options. But for games, photography or long-term autonomy, better color in the direction of modern Redmi.
How much is Xiaomi Mi 3 in 2026: prices for new and used models
Officially, the Xiaomi Mi 3 has not been sold since 2015, so all the offers on the market are either used devices or replicas (clones) of questionable quality. Price depends heavily on condition, configuration and region.
- 📱 In perfect condition (9/10) boxy — 8 000–12 000 ₽ (collectors, nostalgic fans of the brand).
- 🔄 Good condition (7–8/10), boxless, with slight scratches — 4 000–7 000 ₽ (most common).
- 🚨 Working, but with defects (beat screen, sat down battery, without buttons) – 1,500–3,000 ₽ (repair-only).
- ⚠️ Clones and fakes under the guise of the original – 3000–5,000 ₽ (The risk of running into low-quality iron).
For comparison: in 2013 Mi 3 worthless 14 990 ₽ post- 16 GB of memory, you can buy a new Redmi for that money today. 12 s 4/128 GB, 90 Hz screen and battery on 5000 But if you need a retro gadget for a collection or nostalgia - prices for the original Mi 3 in good condition, quite adequate.
Purchase for everyday use|Collector's copy|Repair parts|I just wonder how much it costs.|There's already a smartphone.-->
Where to buy Xiaomi Mi 3 in 2026: proven sites and risks
Finding Mi 3 is not about buying a new smartphone in the store, and avoiding scams and fakes is important.
| The playground | Pluses | Cons | Average price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avito | Many offers can be viewed before buying | High risk of counterfeits, broken devices | 4 000–9 000 ₽ |
| yula | A convenient filter for the condition, sometimes come across honest sellers | Lots of dealers, overpriced | 5 000–10 000 ₽ |
| Telegram chats (e.g, @mi_collectors) | People who appreciate the original often have a photo. IMEI | You need to check the reputation of the seller, there are no guarantees | 6 000–12 000 ₽ |
| AliExpress | Cheap offers, sometimes come across originals | 90% – Clones with weak iron, long delivery | 3 000–6 000 ₽ |
| Local Forums (4PDA, Xiaomi-Club) | You can find rare modifications (for example, Mi 3). TD China) | Little active sellers, long wait | 7 000–15 000 ₽ |
⚠️ Note: When buying Xiaomi Mi 3, be sure to check: IMEI It's a service called imei.info, which is the same as the box, battery status (if the capacity is below 1500 mAh, the battery needs to be replaced), all sensors (gyroscope, compass, light sensors often break down over time) if the seller refuses to provide a photo. IMEI Tests or tests are a reason to be wary.
Compare. IMEI on the box and on the phone (*#06#)|Check the battery capacity through AccuBattery|Make sure there are no yellow spots on the screen.|Test the camera for focusing|Check the work GPS and Wi-Fi-->
Technical characteristics of Xiaomi Mi 3: what does the smartphone 2013 today
On paper, the Mi 3 looked revolutionary: Quad-core Snapdragon 800 (the same as the Samsung Galaxy). S4), 2 GB of RAM, 1080p-Sony's 13MP camera, but how does it work in 2026?
- 📱 Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 (MSM8974AB) — By today’s standards, it’s weaker than Redmi. 9A (2020, but it will cope with WhatsApp, Telegram and light games like Among Us.
- 🔋 Battery: Original capacity is 3050 mAh, but after 10 years the real capacity is usually 1200-1800 mAh.
- 📷 Camera: 13 MP (Sony) IMX135) It looks archaic next to the modern 50.+ MP, but in good lighting makes tolerable pictures.
- 📶 Network: Only 3G (no 4G/LTE), What makes it useless for the modern mobile Internet.
- 🎮 Games: PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact won’t launch, but Brawl Stars will be on the minimum settings.
⚠️ Attention: The main problem with Mi 3 in 2026 is the lack of updates (MIUI 9) released in 2017. That means: No support for modern versions of WhatsApp, YouTube, Google Maps. Security vulnerabilities (e.g., banking applications). SIM-The solution is custom firmware like LineageOS, but it requires unlocking the bootloader and skills.
Can I put Android 11 on the Xiaomi Mi 3?
Should you buy Xiaomi Mi 3 in 2026: pros and cons
Let's be honest: the Mi 3 isn't a smartphone for everyday use in 2026, but it has its own advantages that can outweigh the cons for a specific audience.
✅ Pluses:
- 💰 Price: One of the cheapest ways to get a working smartphone with Full HD-screen.
- 🛠️ Repairability: It is easy to find parts (screens, batteries, speakers) and circuits for self-repair.
- 🕹️ Nostalgia: For Xiaomi fans, this is the brand’s first truly successful smartphone.
- 🔌 Headphone jack: Unlike many modern flagships, there is a 3.5 mm audio jack.
❌ Cons:
- 📶 No. 4G: In the age 5G It's a critical flaw -- even 3G It will soon be shut down in many regions.
- 🔋 Battery: Even after replacement, the original battery will last no more than a year.
- 🛡️ Security: Outdated firmware makes your smartphone vulnerable to viruses and scams.
- 📸 Camera: the quality of shooting is inferior even to budget smartphones in 2018.
- 🎮 Performance: For modern applications, 2GB of RAM is very little.
⚠️ Note: If you need a smartphone for your main use, it’s best to consider budget new products: Redmi 12C (8,000 ₽) — s 4G, 5000 mAh and Android 12. C55 (9,000 ₽) — 90Hz screen and Helio processor G85. Redmi Note 9 (from 6000) ₽) — with a 48 MP camera and NFC. The Mi 3 makes sense to buy only as a second device, for collection or firmware experiments.
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Xiaomi Mi 3 in 2026 is not a tool, but a toy for enthusiasts. For everyday tasks, it is only suitable if you are willing to put up with the lack of a tool. 4G, Weak autonomy and outdated software.
Xiaomi Mi 3 vs. modern budget: comparison with Redmi 12 and Poco C55
To see how outdated the Mi 3 is, compare it to the two cheapest new Xiaomi smartphones in 2026: the Redmi. 12C POCO C55.
| Characteristics | Xiaomi Mi 3 (2013) | Redmi 12C (2023) | Poco C55 (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Snapdragon 800 (4 cores, 2.3 GHz) | Helio G85 (8 cores, 2.0 GHz) | Helio G85 (8 cores, 2.0 GHz) |
| RAM/ROM | 2/16 GB 2/64 GB | 3/64 GB or 4/128 GB | 4/64 GB or 6/128 GB |
| Screen. | 5" Full HD (1920×1080), 441 ppi | 6.71" HD+ (1650×720), 268 ppi | 6.71" HD+ (1650×720), 90 Hz, 268 ppi |
| Camera. | 13 MP (Sony) IMX135), f/2.2 | 50 MP (main) + 0.08 MP (depth) | 50 MP (main) + 2 MP (depth) |
| Battery | 3050 mAh (removable) | 5000 mAh (non-removable) | 5000 mAh (non-removable) |
| Network | 2G, 3G | 2G, 3G, 4G | 2G, 3G, 4G |
| Price (2026) | 4 000–12 000 ₽ (b/w) | 8,000 ₽ (new) | 9,000 ₽ (new) |
As you can see from the table, even the cheapest smartphones today are 2-3 times more powerful than the Mi 3 in all respects. The only thing the old man wins is the pixel density of the screen (441 ppi vs. 268 ppi for public sector employees), but the difference is noticeable only when you compare it directly.
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If you like the design of Xiaomi Mi 3, but want modern hardware – pay attention to Poco F5 (It has a similar minimalist body, but inside the Snapdragon 7.+ Gen 2, 120 Hz. AMOLED-screen and 5,000 mAh battery.
Frequent Xiaomi Mi 3 Problems and Their Solutions
Because of its venerable age, Mi 3 has a number of typical "diseases": the most common ways to eliminate them are:
- 🔋 Fast battery discharge: Solution 1: Replace the battery with a new one (original art. BM43, price ~1 000 ₽). Solution 2: Using Greenify to Force Background Applications to Closure.
- 📶 Bad net catches (3G): Decision 1: Sending modem software (for example, modem.img Mi 4). Decision 2: Use an external antenna (adapter for the SMA-plug).
- 🔊 The speaker or microphone is not working: 1: Cleaning the charging connector (contacts are often oxidized). Solution 2: Replacement of the speaker (art. 1303-0003, price ~500 ₽).
- 📱 Screen not responding to touch: Solution 1: Reflash the touchscreen driver via Fastboot.Solution 2: Replace the display module (price) ~2 500 ₽).
- 🔒 No new apps installed: Solution 1: Install MicroG instead of Google Services. Solution 2: Use APK-Application versions (such as WhatsApp Classic).
⚠️ Note: If you are buying the Mi 3 for firmware experiments, note: Unlocking the bootloader on older Xiaomi devices can take up to 360 hours (15 days).Some custom firmware (such as Resurrection Remix) does not support VoLTE, making it impossible to call via the phone. 4G. If the firmware fails, there is a risk of getting a “brick” – it can only be restored through EDL-Mode (requires an authorized Xiaomi account).
Xiaomi Mi 3: What to buy instead of it in 2026
If you want a low-cost smartphone but the Mi 3 seems too dated – here are a few alternatives in the same price range (up to 10,000). ₽):
- 📱 Used flagships 2018-2019: Xiaomi Mi 9 (from 7000) ₽) — Snapdragon 855, 48 MP camera, AMOLED-screen. Samsung Galaxy. S8 (8,000 ₽) — QHD+ display, IP68, but.
- 💰 New budgeters: Redmi 12C (8,000 ₽) — 5000 mAh, Helio. G85, Android 12. Tecno Spark 10C (7,500 ₽) — 90Hz screen, 50MP camera.
- 🔄 For experiments: Xiaomi Mi A1 (3,000 ₽) — with pure Android One, easy to sew. Nokia 6.1 (from 4,000) ₽) — Reliable case, Android 9.
If you want to be productive, you need to use a used flagship. If you want a new smartphone with a warranty, look towards Redmi or Poco. A1 Nokia will be more interesting than Mi 3.
1) Retro equipment collector.
(2) You need the cheapest possible emergency phone for calls.
(3) You want to experiment with custom firmware on weak iron.
In all other cases, it is better to consider alternatives.-->