Xiaomi Redmi 3S Prime

Redmi 3S Prime features a 5-inch HD display with (720×1280 pixels) resolution. Redmi 3S is dressed in a premium metal body which is the next step in the Redmi evolution.The phone houses a powerful Qualcomm SnapdragonTM 430 processor and runs MIUI 7.5 based on Android 6.0 Marshmallow. 

The 64-bit, octa-core processor is filled with system-level optimizations that can manage multiple tasks at once. It uses 4 performance cores to perform intensive tasks and 4 power-saving cores for extra power efficiency. These mobiles sport a 13-megapixel rear camera with PDAF (phase detection autofocus), f/2.0 aperture, HDR mode, 1080p video recording, and LED flash. The handsets also pack a 5-megapixel front camera with 1080p video recording capability. The big RAM’s and inbuilt memory is sufficient enough to house all your music, movies, and more. Connectivity options on the handsets include 4G, Wi-Fi, GPRS/ EDGE, Bluetooth, GPS/ A-GPS, Bluetooth, Glonass, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, and Micro-USB. The handsets are Redmi 3S Prime measure 139.3×69.6×8.5mm.

The handset does not feel like a 5-inches and the fact that it packs in a 4,100mAh battery unit, simply makes it more appealing.The hybrid SIM card tray is positioned on the left and the volume rockers along with the power button are placed on the right side. The microUSB port is placed at the bottom and the top has the 3.5mm headphone jack along with a mic and an IR blaster.the rear side has the camera lens on the left corner along with the LED flash. The fingerprint scanner is ergonomically positioned in the center where your index finger sits on it without making any efforts. A large speaker grille is given at the bottom.Xiaomi has launched two variants of the Redmi 3S in the Indian market. 

The smartphone is powered by an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 CPU clocked at 1.4GHz.The dual-SIM smartphone sports a 5-inch HD (720x1280 pixels) IPS display and runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow-based MIUI 7.The dual-SIM handset is backed by a 4,100mAh battery unit and has 4G LTE, VoLTE, Wi-Fi, GPRS/ EDGE, Bluetooth, GPS/ A-GPS and Micro-USB as connectivity options.

The Redmi 3S does, however, live in the shadow of the Redmi Note 3. Unlike its superstar elder sibling that just can't stop itself from breaking sales records and is the phone to buy in that price range, the case for the 3S isn't quite as clear-cut. We have now gotten used to Xiaomi phones offering hardware well above their price range but that's not quite the case with the 3S.Using the 3S, there was nothing about it that stood out to us, other than the battery life. It's not a phone that's out to impress you and go above and beyond what you expect at its price range. Everything it does seems just about what you would expect from a phone that costs as much.The pricing is also a bit tricky. 

The Prime model is definitely the one to go for between the two, but then you could just spend more and get the 16GB Redmi Note 3 instead, which is a vastly superior phone in almost every way. The only reason to consider this phone over the Note 3 is if you absolutely must have a smaller phone. Or if you have a tight budget, in which case it makes sense to go for the cheaper 16GB model.All said and done, we couldn't help but be slightly underwhelmed by the Redmi 3S. It's not that it's a bad phone, but more a case of us getting used to Xiaomi phones being good regardless of their price, whereas the Redmi 3S is merely good for the price and nothing more.