Xiaomi Redmi 3 is one of those smartphones, which, despite its age (the model was released in 2016), still remains relevant for the budget segment. The main question that worries users when choosing or repairing this device: what processor is in Xiaomi Redmi 3 and what is it capable of today?
In this article, we will take a closer look at the Snapdragon 616 chipset, its architecture, compare it to modern analogues, and answer key questions: whether to buy Redmi 3 in 2026, how to extend the life of the processor and what tasks it will pull without lags, and you will find unique data on overclocking and energy efficiency of this chipset, which are not in standard reviews.
Technical characteristics of the Xiaomi Redmi 3 processor
Xiaomi Redmi 3 is equipped with an eight-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 616 processor (MSM8939v2). This is a 64-bit chipset built on a 28-nm process technology with the architecture of ARM Cortex-A53.
- 🔹 4 cores Cortex-A53 clock speed of 1.7 GHz (for productive tasks)
- 🔹 4 cores Cortex-A53 1.2 GHz frequency (for energy saving)
This approach allows you to balance between performance and battery life: the graphics accelerator is Adreno 405 with support for OpenGL ES 3.1 and DirectX 11. RAM in the basic version of Redmi 3 - 2 GB LPDDR3, which by the standards of 2026 is considered the minimum threshold for comfortable work.
It is important to note that there are two modifications of the smartphone:
- 📱 Redmi 3 Standard – 16 GB of memory, Snapdragon 616
- 📱 Redmi 3 Pro – 32 GB of memory, Snapdragon 616 with increased core frequency (1.8 GHz)
The performance difference between the two is minimal, but the Pro version is better optimized for gaming.
Architecture and capabilities of the Snapdragon 616
The Snapdragon 616 chipset belongs to the Snapdragon 600 family and was positioned as a mid-budget solution for smartphones in 2015-2016.
| Parameter | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Technique | 28 nm |
| CPU cores | 8 × Cortex-A53 (4 × 1.7 GHz + 4 × 1.2 GHz) |
| Graphics (GPU) | Adreno 405 @ 550 MHz |
| Memory support | LPDDR3 (up to 4 GB, but in Redmi 3 – 2 GB) |
| modem | X5 LTE (Cat. 4, up to 150 Mbps) |
Although the 28nm process is considered obsolete today (for comparison, modern flagships use 4-5nm), the Snapdragon 616 shows stable performance in everyday tasks.
- ⚡ Heating: with prolonged loads (games, video editing), the temperature can reach 60-65°C.
- 🔋 Power consumption: high compared to modern chipsets (Redmi 3 battery at 4100 mAh sits down in 4-5 hours in games).
- 🎮 Performance in Games: Pulling PUBG Mobile at low settings (~25 FPS), but lays in heavy scenes.
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If your Redmi 3 is getting too hot, try turning off the background activity of the applications in the Battery → Optimization settings. This will reduce the load on the processor.
Comparison with other Xiaomi processors
To see how relevant the Snapdragon 616 is in 2026, compare it to other Xiaomi chipsets of the same period and modern budget solutions:
| Processor | Smartphone model | Antutu Benchmark (2026) | Energy efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snapdragon 616 | Redmi 3 | ~55 000 | Low. |
| Snapdragon 430 | Redmi 4 | ~65 000 | Medium |
| Helio P10 | Redmi Note 4 (MTK) | ~70 000 | Medium |
| Snapdragon 625 | Redmi Note 4X | ~90 000 | Tall. |
| Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 | Redmi 12 (2023) | ~350 000 | Very high. |
As you can see from the table, the Snapdragon 616 is losing out to even older chipsets like the Snapdragon 625 (which is still used in budget models).
- ✅ Stable work with MIUI 10-12 (new versions may be slowed down).
- ✅ Quick Charge 2.0 (Fast Charge).
- ✅ Good compatibility with custom firmware (for example, LineageOS).
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Snapdragon 616 is only suitable for basic tasks: calls, instant messengers, watching videos. For games or multitasking, it is better to consider smartphones with Snapdragon 625 and higher.
Performance in games and benchmark tests
If you plan to use Xiaomi Redmi 3 for gaming, prepare for compromises. Here are the test results in popular benchmark apps (2026 data):
- 📊 Antutu Benchmark 9: ~55,000 points (compared to Redmi) 9A pick up ~100 000).
- 🎮 3DMark Sling Shot: ~800 points (Adreno 405 graphics weakly pulls modern effects).
- 🏎️ Geekbench 5 (Single-Core): ~150 points.
The game is as follows:
- 🟢 Clash Royale, Brawl Stars (60) FPS mid-set.
- 🟡 Midgames (PUBG Mobile, Free Fire): 20–30 FPS on low settings, possible slowdowns.
- 🔴 Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile: Not running or crashing.
How to run PUBG Mobile on Redmi 3 without lag?
To improve performance in games, you can:
☑️ Optimizing Redmi 3 for gaming
How to extend the life of the Xiaomi Redmi 3 processor?
As you age, any chipset starts to run slower due to thermal paste degradation, system contamination and battery wear. To make the Snapdragon 616 last longer, follow these tips:
⚠️ Attention: Never use CPU Tuner or other overclocking apps on Redmi 3 will cause overheating and irreversible damage to the processor due to a weak cooling system.
Safe optimization methods:
- Update your firmware to the latest stable version MIUI (Redmi 3 is very relevant. MIUI 11).
- Calibrate the battery: discharge the phone to 0%, then charge to 100% without interruptions.
- Clean the system of garbage with SD Maid or built-in cleaner.
- Disable unnecessary services: Adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.analytics (this will disable Xiaomi statistics collection, which will reduce the load on the CPU).
If your phone is slowing down, try:
- 🔄 Reset to factory settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Recovery and discharge).
- 🛠️ Reflash to custom firmware (for example, Havoc-OS for Redmi 3).
- 🔋 Replace the thermopaste (if the temperature exceeds 70)°C to the plain).
Frequent Processor Problems and Solutions
Xiaomi Redmi 3 owners often face the following processor-related issues:
⚠️ Warning: If your Redmi 3 suddenly turns off when you're loaded, it could be a sign that the chipset has detached from the board.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The phone is warming up a lot. | The radiator clogged or the heat paste dried up | Cleaning from dust + replacing thermopaste |
| Lags in the interface | RAM overload (2GB is not enough for modern applications) | Disable animation, use Greenify |
| Decrease in productivity | Trottling overheating | Set FPS Limitations in Games |
| No new games are being launched | Outdated graphics (Adreno 405) | Use emulators or cloud gaming |
If after all the manipulations the problem remains, check:
- 🔋 Battery condition (if it swells, it can put pressure on the board).
- 🔌 Quality of charger (non-original RAMs can damage the power controller).
- 📱 Integrity of chips (after falls or impacts).
Should you buy Xiaomi Redmi 3 in 2026?
The relevance of Redmi 3 in 2026 depends on your goals.
- ✅ It'll do if you need it: 📞 Spare phone for calls and messengers. 🎵 Music player with good sound (there is a 3.5 mm connector). 📷 Budget camera for simple photos (the main module 13 MP).
- ❌ It's not good if you need it: 🎮 Play modern games. 📸 Videotape in 4K or use complex filters. ⚡ Quick OS update (last official firmware — MIUI 11 based on Android 6).
The price of the redmi 3 in 2026 ranges from 3000 to 5000 rubles. for this money you can find more modern models (for example, the redmi 8A with the Snapdragon 439), but if you want a compact device with a removable battery, the redmi 3 remains one of the best options.
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The Redmi 3 is now a perpetual phone for the undemanding, not a performance phone, but a reliable, maintainable, and cheap phone to maintain.