If there’s one thing that’s trending in the smartphone industry, it’s the budget smartphone segment. This trend was started by budget king Xiaomi, and the Mi, Redmi, and Redmi Note series of devices created a new budget segment in the market that offered high-end specs at extremely affordable prices. Since then, many budget smartphone makers have emerged in the market to offer practically unlimited options to the buyers.
One such phone is the recently launched Xiaomi Redmi 3, that offers excellent looks and specs for less than $150. And then there’s the just launched Lenovo K4 Note that is currently selling like a blockbuster via the flash sales method. But what if you had to choose between the K4 Note and the Redmi 3? Which one should you choose? Let’s find out.
Xiaomi Redmi 3 vs Lenovo K4 Note
Looks Do Matter
Xiaomi has been smart enough to use the current trends in its smartphones, and the company has started giving metal bodies to its phones. The Xiaomi Redmi 3 is no different, as it comes with a full metal body with a distinct pattern on the rear that also provides great grip. Meanwhile, the Lenovo K4 Note gets a hard plastic shell with a metal frame outlining the edges. Of course, the Redmi 3 might be the better looking here, but the K4 Note too looks sober and handsome enough.
Display and Camera
The Redmi 3 features a 5-inch HD IPS LCD screen with a not-so-great 294 ppi of pixel density. Meanwhile, the K4 Note flaunts a larger 5.5-inch FullHD IPS LCD screen with Gorilla Glass 3 and a good pixel density of 401 ppi.
Talking about the camera, both the phones come with a 13MP rear camera with PDAF (Phase Detection Auto Focus). The Lenovo K4 Note gets a dual-tone dual-LED flash and its camera sensor gets a f/2.2 aperture, while the Xiaomi Redmi 3 gets a f/2.0 aperture and a single LED flash. Both can record 1080p videos at 30 fps.
Hardware and Software
Talking about the processor, the Redmi 3 houses a 1.5GHz octa-core Snapdragon 616 processor with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage. Meanwhile, the K4 Note is powered by a 1.3GHz octa-core MediaTek MT6753 chipset with 3GB of RAM and 16GB of onboard storage. Both the devices get expandable storage up to 128GB via microSD card.
On the software front, both the phones run Android v5.1 Lollipop out of the box. The K4 Note has got the Vibe UI skin on top, while the Redmi 3 uses Xiaomi’s MI UI. In terms of battery, the Redmi 3 gets a more powerful 4,100mAh juicer, while the K4 Note also gets a respectable 3,300mAh power-plant. Both come with fast charging.
Extra Features
The Lenovo K4 Note is being praised mainly for the extra bits that it brings to the table. Firstly, it gets a fingerprint sensor at the rear, which has fast becoming a must-have security features in smartphones nowadays.
Next, it gets dual front-firing speakers with Dolby Atmos for great audio output. Then there’s the TheatreMax technology which works with Lenovo’s AntVR technology to provide you great virtual reality experience right on your phone.
Xiaomi Redmi 3 does not come with any such bells and whistles.
Price and Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi 3 has been priced at around $106. The Lenovo K4 Note costs around $177 for the phone, while the AntVR headset comes at an extra price of around $19.
If you want a no-nonsense phone with some good looks, great battery, and nice hardware and your budget is around $100, then go for the Redmi 3. If you can increase your budget by another $100, you must get the Lenovo K4 Note compulsorily with the AntVR headset to get the best budget smartphone experience ever.
Take your pick. Which one would you choose?