Smartphone Review: Redmi Note 3 for Budget-Minded Buyers

Budget phones usually skimp on storage space, but not the comfortable, 5.5-inch Redmi Note 3. This guy comes with 32GB, and if you need more, you can use one of the phone's dual-SIM slots as a microSD card slot for up to an additional 32GB of storage. Gaming performance was great; I loved the smooth framerates on Asphalt 8 and when switching between apps and sending emails, I rarely experienced any noticeable delay. The Note 3's non-removable battery lasted nearly-14 hours in our video looping battery test; a respectable number for the vast majority of phones. Software wise, Xiaomi's usual MIUI skin runs over the Android 5.1 Lollipop operating system. Since all the app icons spread out across multiple home screens, it looks like a mix of Android and iOS. But other cool features, such as the ability to quickly move all the apps on one screen to the next, and weekly security updates, help make up for the atypical layout. While it isn't standard Android, MIUI does a great job making the phone easy to use, especially with a "Lite mode" which simplifies the interface for not so tech-savvy types. Some key advantages of this phone include: Excellent design and build quality, impressive battery life, very good performance, great software experience, fast and accurate fingerprint reader, includes an IR blaster for controlling household appliances, great sunlight readability and excellent call quality. Prices start around $200. Is this low-end phone all sunshine and lollipops or a rider without a horse? Share your comments here at the Smartphone and Tablet Zone: http://smartphoneandtabletzone.blogspot.com/