Xiaomi Redmi 3 Pro review: Trimmed up

Retail package

The Redmi 3 Pro isn't particularly generous with the accessories: a 2A A/C Adapter and a microUSB cable for charging and data is all you get. Hardly a surprise - the original Redmi 3 didn't offer anything extra either.

The retail box

Xiaomi Redmi 3 Pro 360-degree spin

At 139.3 x 69.6 x 8.5mm and 144g, the Redmi 3 Pro is identical size-wise with the original and the Redmi 3s flavor. Consistency is a good thing - the Pro variant adds a fingerprint scanner and more RAM plus storage over the Redmi 3 while the Redmi 3s Prime adds the same things over the Redmi 3s. The identical exterior of the Redmi 3 Pro and 3s suggests they will probably target different markets.

Design and build quality

The Xiaomi Redmi 3 Pro keeps the unibody design and curvy edges but gets rid of the diamond pattern for a clean and smooth finish. All three Redmi 3 Pro paint jobs - gold, silver and dark gray - use solid colors, no gradient or pattern whatsoever.

Other than the missing texture, everything about the Redmi 3 Pro feels familiar. We got the silver edition, which combines a white front and a silver rear cover.

The back may fool you that it's all metal, but the top and bottom bits - where the antennas are placed - are both made of matte plastic to not obstruct reception.

Xiaomi Redmi 3 Pro

The sunk in fingerprint sensor on the back is quite nice and fits well in the stylish design. It's an always-on scanner performing reasonably fast. It must be one of the reasons for Xiaomi to opt out of the diamond pattern - the back would've looked too cluttered.

The 5" Redmi 3 Pro is perfectly sized to allow reasonably comfortable one-hand operation and yet its screen is big enough to enjoy a movie or a game. The phone is compact, perhaps a bit heavy, so you won't be patting your pocket often to check if it's still there.

Handling the Redmi 3 Pro

The Xiaomi Redmi 3 Pro's aluminum case provides enough grip, but also for a rather sturdy built, too.

Controls

The Xiaomi Redmi 3 Pro's layout of controls is nothing out of the usual. Above the display, the earpiece is sided by a couple of sensors and the 5MP selfie camera.

The Redmi 3 Pro

Below the screen, we find the traditional capacitive control set: Task switcher, Home, and Back keys. There is a status LED around too. The keys are still not backlit, though.

The left side houses the ejectable compartment, which can either take two SIM cards or one SIM and a microSD card.

The right side is where the volume rocker and the power/lock key are.

The sides of the Redmi 3 Pro

On top of the Redmi 3 we find the audio jack, the secondary mic, and the IR blaster. At the bottom is the primary mic and the microUSB port.

The audio jack and the IR blaster • A peek at the bottom • The microUSB port

The 13MP camera lens is on the back, accompanied by a single LED flash. The loudspeaker grille is also around.

A close-up on the Redmi 3 Pro's back