Xiaomi mi a3 review in Spanish (full analysis)

Better late than never, so we bring you our analysis of the Xiaomi Mi A3, a terminal that we have recently purchased for just under 190 euros. A terminal that is located in the input range in terms of hardware, but with high-end flashes such as its excellent camera, its careful glass design or the incredible 4030 mAh battery.

The most controversial aspect of the terminal is its screen, with AMOLED technology to house the fingerprint sensor on the screen, but a resolution of HD + at a diagonal of 6.09 ”that seems somewhat small compared to the competition. We will thoroughly analyze this terminal to tell you that it has not seemed.

Xiaomi Mi A3 technical characteristics

Unboxing

This Xiaomi Mi A3 in its 128 GB version has come to us in a presentation similar to other terminals of the manufacturer, since a box with dimensions equal to the terminal has been used, or rather to the case it has inside. It is made of hard cardboard and has photos of the terminal in the different versions available, as well as some information on the back on a white and orange background.

The opening is made in a sliding way like all these boxes, and inside we have several floors to store the different elements. In the first we will have a cardboard box with the terminal accessories, in the middle the terminal itself placed inside a bag and at the bottom the charging and connection elements.

The bundle in this case has the following elements:

• Xiaomi Mi A3 smartphone Skewer to remove the dual SIM tray Transparent silicone case User documentation European 10W charger USB Type-C cable - USB-Type-A for charging and data.

We have a bundle similar to other terminals of the brand, always with the detail of including the cover, although in this case it will be made of silicone and surely in a short time it will start to turn yellow, but good is what it touches. You can always watch those videos in which they clean it with bicarbonate and coca cola to deceive you that it becomes transparent again.

Yes, we would have liked to have included the 18W charger instead of 10W, which is simply a standard one. We understand that it is a terminal in which the user wants to save money but they force us to buy the charger separately to take advantage of the fast charge, because the difference is noticeable and very much so.

Design: bold and crystal style

The Chinese manufacturer and in general almost all the others, are betting on creating quite daring designs on their terminals, see for example the Mi 9T, the Galaxy A70 or any terminal that comes to mind now. This Xiaomi Mi A3 is not far behind and the truth is that the result has been the least striking.

Starting with the available versions, Xiaomi has taken it for granted, and presents us with this terminal with a color palette consisting of the Azulón color, which is our version, Greyish, and Pure White. Personally, the most striking and that I would buy would be white and blue , with a fresh and elegant design that is striking. In addition, only the blue version has a reflection effect on the back that makes curved gradient lines appear depending on how the light falls on the surface, that is, these lines are not fixed, but you can or cannot see them. For the other two models the finish is completely smooth and shiny.

This design exercise has been carried out thanks to a back made of glass, along with some sides in the same main color that are also made of aluminum alloy. This is something very positive, since the input / media range is also using Premium materials like these in terminals of less than 200 euros, and the truth is that it shows a lot. These areas have anti-scratch protection, while the screen glass is Corning Gorilla Glass 5.

So we go to see the feeling in hand, which is very good both for the materials and for its curved 2.5D edges that are used on the screen and back. We can see at a glance that the Xiaomi Mi A3 is a small and compact phone, with measures of 153.5 mm long, 71.9 mm wide and only 8.5 mm thick. This includes the thickness of the chambers that rise from the area by approximately 1.5 mm. They are placed to the side and in the form of a column with the LED just below them. The glass that protects them is anti-scratch, but it would not hurt to buy a protection or put the case on immediately.

Although it is still thicker than its predecessor, the Mi A2, but this time we have a 4030 mAh battery no less so it is justified. As we have already mentioned, the cover it includes is made of transparent silicone, although in this case we do not have large edges that disturb its interaction with the screen, this being quite normal.

We now place ourselves on top of the Xiaomi Mi A3 where we have its 6.09-inch screen that, as in other models, has a drop-type notch. This is relatively small and with a slight curvature, unlike for example the Redmi Note 7. The frames are also quite tight considering the price of the product, so its useful area rises to 82%, which is not bad. In this area we also have the speaker for calls and a notification led located to the left of it, so after a while, Xiaomi places one of these again in front of us.

We go to see the lateral areas that this time will be quite continuous as usual. Starting at the bottom, we have a USB Type-C connector, the only multimedia speaker and the microphone for calls that will be inside one of the holes in the area. In the upper area we have the second microphone for noise cancellation, another sensor that we assume will be infrared and of course the 3.5mm Jack that the manufacturer has not dispensed with.

In the right side area, we will have only the volume buttons and the off or lock button. Its position is correct for use with one hand, so nothing to add. Finally, in the left side area we have the tray for the Dual SIM or SIM + memory card, so there will be two available spaces. Its situation is curious, since it is at the top of the terminal.

AMOLED display for input range

This on the one hand is something very positive in view of the quality of the placement and the possibility of putting a fingerprint reader under the panel, since with IPS technology it would be impossible to do it with a backlight panel. But the Xiaomi Mi A3 has a controversial feature and that many did not like (myself included). In fact, I was waiting for this cheap terminal to renew mine, but finally I opted for the Mi 9T making an extra effort due to its better screen.

In this case we have mounted a screen with AMOLED technology built by Samsung as usual, with a diagonal of 6, 088 inches exactly. Attention with the resolution, because in this case it is HD +, which has been 1560x720p, and which in its case make a pixel density of “only” 282 dpi. We accept that it is a cheap mobile, but the Realme on duty and the Redmi Note themselves still have FHD + and more than 300 dpi, even its predecessor. And we cannot avoid saying that it shows, both in the definition of images and in the sensation itself. Later we will see that this also has a great advantage; the autonomy.

Regarding its technical characteristics, as it is a screen with very good color, we cannot discuss this, since it offers a coverage of 103% in NTSC, with a normal maximum brightness of 350 nits and without HDR support. Its contrast is similar to other AMOLED screens with 60, 000: 1, and as we have mentioned we have a drop type notch and Gorilla Glass 5 for its protection.

If this terminal had FHD + it would be the best in its segment without a doubt, but it is also true that it would be cannibalized with the manufacturer's own models that are around it. With this screen it is ensured not to compete with the Mi 9T from above and neither with the Redmi Note 7 below, as this is the latest IPS and has lower cameras. In short, it is like Nvidia with its Super series, putting models in the middle to fill spaces.

Sound: loud and clear

In the Xiaomi Mi A3 we have a single speaker at the bottom, since the integrated screen is only for calls. This speaker has similar benefits to the brand's more expensive terminals, I would say almost the same as the Mi 9T again. And is that the most notable is its high volume, which will allow us a very good quality at normal levels for the user.

The distortion at these levels has also been controlled very well, since the sound is heard quite clear and detailed throughout its range, which is still one of its advantages for the current price. Xiaomi has rescued the 3.5 mm Jack, since the Mi A2 did not have to be a slightly thinner terminal, and this is very good news to save money on buying us USB-C.

Good level security systems

One of the main reasons why the Xiaomi Mi A3 has included its AMOLED screen is because it wanted at all costs to put a fingerprint reader on the screen instead of keeping it in the back, once again to differentiate it from the Note 7. Also Android facial recognition is included without its own technology in this regard.

In the first case, the fingerprint reader works correctly, but it is a little slower than that of the other Xiaomi. Mainly it can be for its animation, since after feeling the validation vibration we do not have an instant screen ignition. We hope this will be polished with Android 10 when the update arrives. We think that the wise decision would have been to place a rear sensor, which always goes very fast, but once again, it is a differentiation strategy.

Regarding facial recognition we have a sensation similar to the fingerprint reader, it works well and in almost all circumstances, although its speed cannot compete with terminals such as Realme or the mid-range Honor. Perhaps being a somewhat more basic processor takes a little longer to recognize us.

Once again, we must consider its price, and for less than 200 euros we can not ask for high-end benefits, so these functions are correct and solvent in my opinion.

Hardware and performance without surprises

The Xiaomi Mi A3 has a perfectly understandable section of hardware for its price range, with a Snapdragon 655 processor along with its Adreno 614 GPU. This SoC has a 64-bit 8-core count with manufacturing process at 11nm FinFET. Where 4 Kryo 260 work at 2.0 GHz and another 4 work at 1.7 GHz. To this we must add a 4 GB LPDDR4X RAM working at 1866 MHz. We only have this version of RAM, so let's not look for 6 GB because there are not.

For its storage we have a new generation UFS 2.1 type internal memory, which is great news for this terminal. It will be available in 64 and 128 GB versions, which is not bad. We recommend going for the 128 GB for the price we currently have this terminal. In any case, the 64 GB version is just as valid, since fortunately we have the possibility of expanding the storage with MicroSD cards of up to 256 GB.

Next, we leave you with the score obtained in AnTuTu Benchmark, the benchmark software par excellence in the finished Android and iOS. In the same way, we will leave you the results obtained in the 3DMark and Geekbench 4 benchmark for those who are considering this model even to play PUBG or similar.

And in this case, the Xiaomi Mi A3 does not have outstanding hardware to play heavy titles, since a Snapdragon 710 would have been a better option for it. The scores in general are discreet, but we have precisely tested the PUBG and the performance is very good, with the graphics in medium quality we will not have FPS problems, as well as typical racing games like Asphalt, where it has also behaved at the height of a good experience.

Android ONE operating system: another of its advantages

If the Xiaomi A family stands out for something, it is to always incorporate Android ONE, that is, the Google operating system in its stock version and without any layer of customization. In this case, it runs on Android 9.0 Pie but its update to version 10 is planned for this 2020.

In fact, one of the advantages of the Xiaomi Mi A3 over other terminals is that it has a guaranteed system update for two years and security patches for 3 years. In this way we will have a fully optimized system adapted to the terminal with its standard appearance. However, the manufacturer has introduced some own marketing applications such as the store and others, which we will see in a couple of grouped icons. We don't consider it bad, but they could have been saved.

In this case the system is going smoothly, with a fast and fluid interaction in all menus, gallery and camera. In Chrome we have noticed some small lags that may be due simply to the page itself or to the CPU load at that time. Obviously the application for the camera is Xiaomi's own, but having a Qualcomm processor we can easily install the GCam and get that extra quality in color that the Google Pixels give.

Camera: best for its price range, still

We know that the Xiaomi Mi A3 has been on the market for a few months, and that more terminals have appeared, such as the Note 8T and company. But we can still consider this camera as the best for its price range, since it seems that the combination of Android ONE with a very good adjustment in the interpretation by the Chinese, make it outperform higher-cost and newer terminals.

If you want quality and versatility, your purchase will be successful, but let's see in more detail what we can do with them.

Triple rear sensor

The rear configuration consists of a triple sensor:

• We have a 48 MP main sensor well known as the Sony IMX582 Exmor RS, which is the same one that the Mi 9T mounts for example. It has a lens of 6 1.6 µm lenses, a size of 1/2 ”and focal length 1.79, which will give great light to photos both day and night. The second sensor is an 8 MP wide angle with 2.2 focal aperture and a 118 viewing angle ^or 1.12 µm pixel size. The third sensor is depth with 2 MP and 2.4 focal aperture. Its function is to work portrait mode optimally.

As for video performance, we can record in 4K @ 30 FPS, Full HD at 30 and 60 FPS due to processor limitations and in slow motion at 240 FPS @ 720p. In this case we will not have optical stabilization but we will have a very good digital one, with an autofocus function for video and photos from all the sensors. These are accompanied by a standard power Dual LED flash. So we've only lost the x2 zoom telephoto lens for the benefit of a portrait mode upgrade.

Portrait mode

Portrait mode + HDR + dithering to minimum

Portrait mode + HDR + maximum blur

Normal

Normal

Normal + HDR

Normal backlight

Normal

Normal + AI

HDR

Zoom X2

Wide angle

Night mode

Night mode

Normal

Night mode

Normal + wide format

Night mode + wide format

The performance of its main camera we know well, and in this case we see that Xiaomi has focused on retouching the color rendering parameters to improve the quality of the photos, and they have succeeded. With artificial intelligence disabled, we see that in daylight conditions the photos enjoy an excellent dynamic range, with very realistic colors and better processed than on other occasions.

The HDR works very well, which is also benefited by the excellent focus of this Sony sensor. In the photos we will not lose practically any detail, since we have that 48 MP function that gives us the extra detail. It is curious how with the same software it can make tangible differences with the same sensor according to its optimization. We are not in favor of Xiaomi's AI mode, so we recommend avoiding it or at least making captures with and without this function and opting for the one that we like the most, since it adds a somewhat more processed and less faithful color.

Regarding the wide angle we have a good field of vision that translates into wide images, although with the typical curvature distortion in the corners. Being 8 MP and not 13 or 16, it is true that we will have less detail in them, but the color and HDR work is still quite good. We also liked the portrait mode, since it allows us to make many modifications both in the background with the distortion, and in the main image with effects and beauty mode, it is the advantage of having a depth sensor.

Its night performance has also been very good, at the level of higher-end terminals without a doubt and with a night mode that performs excellent overexposure but never exaggerating the white balance. This way we obtain natural photos without grain except for very complicated conditions. It only needs to better deal with reflections in streetlights and powerful light spots, since in this case a high-end phone does know how to make a difference.

Front camera

The front sensor is nothing less than a Samsung S5KGD1 with 32 MP with 5-lens objective and 2.0 focal length with a panoramic field of view at 79o. With it we will be able to record in 1080p @ 30 FPS resolution and make some selfies of excellent quality, and in my opinion at the height of high-end terminals.

In the front camera it is where perhaps the most gap takes place with respect to the mid-range terminals, since this 32 MP sensor shoots some very high quality photos in both color and exposure. As soon as we have favorable light conditions, and even against the light, it knows how to get the full power of its resolution and be the best.

Application

There is not much more to say about the Xiaomi application, except for its notable improvement in this terminal that could well be extended to the rest to gain quality. Its interface is very intuitive and easy to use, with most photo and video modes in the internal sliding menu.

It is true that in this case the 48MP mode has been relocated in the top drop-down menu next to the wide angle, but otherwise we have the video mode, night, pro, etc. where always.

Exceptional 4030 mAh battery

For the final stretch of this analysis we have another of the most differential and good elements of the Xiaomi Mi A3, which is its battery. Its compact measurements have not been an obstacle to introduce a 4030 mAh battery, being even higher than that of larger or more expensive phones. It supports 18W fast charging with Quick Charge 3.0, but Xiaomi has made it its own by giving us a factory charger of only 10W.

With the hardware we have and this screen with discreet brightness and low resolution, we have obtained autonomies that exceed 12 hours of screen without major problems, making medium / high use of the terminal, that is, downloading applications, doing benchmarks and photos left and right. In standby mode and with a medium / low use of the terminal it has reached us for almost 3 days, calling and using 3G.

Regarding connectivity, this Mi A3 includes most of the expected features of a mid-range terminal, and only NFC connectivity has been left on the road. Of course we have Bluetooth 5.0 LE, Wi-Fi 802.11 b / g / n / ac connection in 2.4 and 5 GHz, Wi-Fi MiMO and support for Wi-Fi access point. Similarly we have A-GPS, Beidou, GLONASS and GPS. We even have an FM radio and an infrared sensor.

Final words and conclusion about the Xiaomi Mi A3

Despite the numerous criticisms that the screen of this Xiaomi Mi A3 has suffered, at the end of the day it is the best we have in the mid-range and entry, since almost everything else is at a very high level.

For example, we have one of the best, if not the best camera for less than 250 euros, even being at the level of terminals close to 400-500 euros in both versatility and image quality. Excellent day, night, HDR, wide-angle and portrait mode performance. In addition, it is one of the best selfies that we have in the mid-range, so Xiaomi has worked very well on its software. We only lose telephoto, which is also not a drama.

And what about your battery? 4030 mAh with an autonomy that leaves us more than 12 hours of screen with intensive use and medium brightness, being the best on the market in this regard. Although they could have gotten the 18W charger already from the factory. Connectivity is also very good, with USB-C, 3.5mm Jack, and just the absence of NFC.

We recommend reading our guide to the best mid-range smartphones.

Thus we come to the multimedia section, where we have an AMOLED screen with very good color and brightness benefits, although with a resolution that had not seen 720p for a long time. It shows, and will backtrack, although when we get used to it we almost don't miss that extra sharpness. The sound is very loud and of good quality despite being just a speaker.

This screen has been installed to put a fingerprint sensor in the front, which is not too fast to say, being below other mid-range terminals in the price range. The facial recognition yes that has behaved very well despite being the basic of Android.

Android that in this case arrives in its 9.0 version of stock, what we know by Android ONE, without MIUI customization layer and with a magnificent experience both in interface and fluency. We have secured two years of system updates and 3 years of security patches.

Without much more to comment, the Xiaomi Mi A3 is currently on the market for a price of 175 euros for the 4 + 64 GB version and about 190 euros for 4 + 128 GB, being spectacular prices for a highly recommended terminal if we can live without FHD +. Its design is at the height of the high-end, with glass and metal finishes in three different colors.

ADVANTAGE	DISADVANTAGES
+ DESIGN AND MATERIALS USED	- 720P DISPLAY RESOLUTION
+ PRICE	- NO NFC
+ THE BEST CAMERA FOR 200 EUROS	- NO RESISTANCE TO WATER OR DUST
+ ANDROID ONE	- 18W CHARGER NOT INCLUDED
+ BRUTAL AUTONOMY	- LITTLE SPEED AUTHENTICATION SYSTEMS
+ SOUND QUALITY AND 3.5 MM JACK
+ HARDWARE AND 128 GB OF EXPANDABLE STORAGE
+ FACIAL RECOGNITION AND FOOTPRINT SENSOR ON SCREEN

The Professional Review team awards you the gold medal and recommended product:

Xiaomi Mi A3 Smartphones 4 GB RAM + 128 GB ROM, 6.088 'Screen, Octa-Core Processor, 32 MP Front and 48 MP AI Triple Camera, Blue Color (Another European version) Xiaomi Mi A3 Android One, AMOLED 6, 088 "(32 MP Front Camera, 48 + 8 + 2 MP Rear, 4030 mAh, 3.5 mm Jack, Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 2.0 GHz, 4 + 64 GB), Pure White Powered by android one; 48 Triple Camera mp with ia and ultra wide angle, 32 mp front camera with ia

Xiaomi Mi A3

DESIGN - 90%

PERFORMANCE - 77%

CAMERA - 89%

AUTONOMY - 93%

PRICE - 95%

89%

Despite its 720p screen, the rest of the sections have a great level for their price, so it is the best of the mid-range and with Android ONE