Xiaomi Redmi 3S: Year of release, how to check the date of production and variations

Xiaomi Redmi 3S — One of the most popular budget smartphones of the Chinese brand, which won the love of users due to the excellent ratio of price and quality. If you are planning to buy a used device or just interested in the history of Xiaomi gadgets, it is important to know the exact year of the model release to avoid fakes or very outdated instances.

In this article, we will not only answer the question of what year Redmi is. 3S, But we'll also tell you how to determine your smartphone's production date by serial number or box, and we'll also tell you the key differences between the Redmi versions. 3S redmi 3S Prime and whether it is relevant in 2026 for everyday use.

Official year of release of Xiaomi Redmi 3S

Xiaomi Redmi 3S It was announced on June 6, 2016, at a presentation in Beijing, and it was a budget version of the then flagship Redmi 3, which received a simplified filling, but retained the key advantages: a metal body, a capacious battery and support. 4G-The first sales started just days after the announcement – June 9, 2016 in China, alater in other countries.

Interestingly, despite being marketed as a budget model, it has become one of the best-selling models in the Redmi lineup, with more than 10 million units sold in the first six months, according to Xiaomi, a record for a smartphone of this class. The device officially began shipping to Russia and the CIS countries in the fall of 2016, although the gray deliveries appeared in the summer.

It’s important to understand that the announcement date (June 2016) and the production date of a particular device may vary by several months, for example, smartphones released in late 2017 are also Redmi models. 3S, The “freshness” at the time of purchase will be lower.

How to find out the exact year of your Redmi production 3S

If you already own Xiaomi Redmi 3S If you're planning to buy a used device, you can pinpoint the release date:

• 📅 By serial number (S/N). On the box or under the battery (if it is removable) find a line of view S/N: ABCD12345678. First-time 4 The symbol encodes the date of production, 6A signifier 2016 June.
• 📦 Look for the label on the box, and look for the Manufactured Date or Date of Production, which says the exact date in the format. YYYY-MM-DD.
• 🔧 Enter the code ##4636## in the number dialer, then go to Phone Information. → History of the device.
• 📱 Through the app MIUI. Open the Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI And you click a few times on the line with the version, and you'll see a hidden menu with your firmware and build date.

The easiest way is to use a serial number, and you can decode the first characters.

⚠️ Note: If the serial number starts at 9 or later (e.g, 9A), It could be a fake. 3S It was only produced until 2018.

Redmi's differences 3S redmi 3S Prime: Which version is better?

Many people confuse Redmi. 3S redmi 3S Prime, considering them the same model, but they're actually two different versions with key differences:

• 💾 Memory: Redmi 3S has 2/16 GB (RAM/ROM) and Prime version — 3/32 GB.

Critical moment: Redmi 3S Prime was only produced in India and China, so gray deliveries to Russia were often accompanied by problems with the localization of firmware. 3S Prime with Russian "out of the box", this is a reason to be wary - most likely, the firmware was re-flashed informally.

How to determine the version by appearance?

• The Prime version has a Fingerprint inscription on the back under the camera.
• The Prime box is either gold or dark gray (the base version is white or blue).
• In the settings (about the phone) the model will be listed as Redmi. 3S Prime or Land (code name).

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If the seller claims to have a Redmi 3S 3GB of RAM, ask for a picture of the box and a screenshot from the About Phone menu.The basic version was never released with 3GB of storage!

Technical characteristics of Xiaomi Redmi 3S: Is it relevant in 2026?

Let’s see what Redmi is capable of. 3S 8 years after graduation, these are the key features:

By modern Redmi standards 3S It looks modest, but it is still suitable for a number of tasks:

• ✅ Calls and SMS: It's not a problem.
• ✅ Social networks: WhatsApp, Telegram, VK They work, but with lags with a lot of chats.
• ✅ Navigation: Google Maps or Yandex.Navigator pull, but it is better to use offline maps.
• ❌ Modern games: PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact won't launch. max - Brawl Stars on minimum settings.
• ❌ 4K-Video and Multitasking: When Opening 3+ Apps start to hang out.

The main advantage of the model in 2026 is the battery at 4100 mAh, even after 8 years it holds the charge longer than many modern public sector.

⚠️ Attention: C 2023 Xiaomi has stopped releasing security updates for Redmi 3S. This means that the device is vulnerable to new viruses and attacks through the Wi-Fi/Bluetooth. It is not recommended to use it for online banking or personal data storage.

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Redmi 3S 2026 is suitable only as a spare phone, a device for elderly relatives or a "caller" with a long time of work.

Typical Redmi problems 3S: What to pay attention to when buying

If you are buying Redmi, 3S b/w, make sure to check it for common malfunctions:

• 🔌 Micro-USB port: over time, the connector shatters, and the phone stops charging without “propping” the cable.
• 📞 Microphone: 15-20% of devices lose voice during a call after 2-3 years.
• 🔊 Dynamics: distortion of sound at maximum volume (solved by replacing the speaker for the maximum volume) ~500 rubles).
• 🔋 Battery: even with careful operation, the capacity drops to 60-70% after 4-5 years. Check the battery life (should be at least 8-10 hours at an average load).

How to check the device before buying:

1. Call from your phone and listen to how you can be heard (microphone problems appear immediately).
2. Connect charging and swing the cable in the connector – if charging is interrupted, the port needs repair.
3. Launch AnTuTu Benchmark or CPU-Z, to make sure the specifications are as stated (some vendors issue Redmi 3 or Redmi) 3X post 3S).
4. Check it out. IMEI via imei.info – it must match the data on the box.

Redmi's Average Price 3S on the secondary market in 2026:

• In perfect condition (with a box, checks) - 3000-4 500 rubles.
• With traces of use (scratches, rubbing) - 2 000-3 000 rubles.
• Faulty (on spare parts) - 800-1 500 rubles.

Firmware and updates: can you install modern software?

Official support for Redmi 3S It ended in 2019.The last stable version. MIUI for this model — MIUI 11 is based on Android 6.0 Marshmallow.However, enthusiasts continue to release custom firmware that can revive the device.

Here are the options available:

• 🔄 Official. MIUI 11: Most stable but outdated (no support for new apps).
• 🐉 LineageOS 14.1 (Android 7.1): More modern system, but possible bugs with a camera or Wi-Fi.
• 🤖 Pixel Experience (Android 10): Ported firmware from Google Pixel, but runs slowly due to weak iron.
• 🔧 Havoc-OS: custom firmware with a lot of settings, but requires root rights.

Instructions for installing custom firmware:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi website (can take up to 72 hours).
2. Install TWRP Recovery via fastboot: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img fastboot boot twrp.img
3. Make a backup of the current firmware in TWRP (Backup section).
4. Sweep through custom firmware and GApps (if you need Google services).

⚠️ Note: Installing unofficial firmware will void the warranty (if it is still valid) and may result in a device blink. Before firmware check compatibility with your model's codename (land for Redmi). 3S).

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If you only need an up-to-date version of apps (like WhatsApp or YouTube), you can install MicroG instead of firmware, an alternative to Google services that supports new versions of the software on older Android.

Redmi alternatives 3S 2026: What to Buy Instead?

If Redmi 3S If you think it is too outdated, consider modern alternatives in the same budget segment (up to 10 000 rubles):

Why not take Redmi? 3S 2026?

• 🚫 No security updates – risk of viruses and data leaks.
• 🚫 A weak processor does not pull modern applications.
• 🚫 Absence NFC — Contactless payments cannot be used.
• 🚫 Micro-USB instead of Type-C – problems finding cables.

Exceptions When Buying Redmi 3S justified:

• ✔️ We need the cheapest possible "calling" with a long time.
• ✔️ Phones are bought for a child or an elderly person (a simple interface).
• ✔️ Need a spare vehicle for travel (not a pity to lose).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Redmi 3S