Xiaomi Redmi A3X (24048RN6C) Review, Price And Specifications.

Xiaomi Redmi A3X (24048RN6C) Quick Specs.

Display: 6.71" HD+ (1650×720) Drop-Notch, 90Hz IPS-LCD Display.

Software: Android 14 (Go Edition) OS, Redmi MIUI Skin.

CPU: Unisoc T603 (22nm).

RAM: 3GB/4GB (Plus up to 3GB of Virtual RAM).

Storage: 64GB/128GB (Expandable to 1TB).

Rear Camera: Dual-lens (8MP+AI).

Front Camera: Single-lens (5MP).

Security: Face Unlock, Side-mounted fingerprint reader.

Port: USB Type-C.

Speaker: Single.

Network: 4G.

Battery: 5,000mAh.

Starting Price:

₦102,000, GH₵ 1,330.00, KSh 10,990, UGX 343,500, $113.80.

With Xiaomi Redmi A3X (24048RN6C), you get a big and nice looking 6.71-inch screen. And the screen is protected with Corning Gorilla Glass.

Redmi A3X also sports a premium design and has a good build quality. Also despite that the phone's camera set-up is basic, it's able to capture nice looking photos.

Redmi A3X is also running on the recent Android 14 (Go Edition) OS. However, as expected of an Android phone at this price point, A3X is powered by a low-end Unisoc T603 CPU. This implies that the phone is suitable for basic and light tasks. The base model of the phone has 3GB of RAM and 64GB inbuilt storage. The standard variant is fitted with an higher RAM of 4GB and twice storage space of 128GB

Meanwhile, from the given specs, it shows that Redmi A3X is the same phone as the late last years Xiaomi Redmi A3, except for the fact that the latest phone is powered by a different processor.

And it's the processor, i.e., Unisoc T603, that gives the latest phone an edge over the A3. In other words, despite that the Helio P35 (that's inside the earlier phone) is of smaller "nm" and has higher clock speed than the T603, A3X still delivered a slightly faster and smoother performance than the A3. I think it's as a result of the fact that T603 new, therefore, packs some speed enhancement features than the fours years old Helio P35.

And compared to the competitions. The first thing that set A3X apart is its unique design and better build quality. The phone's display is also more bigger and it's one of the nicest looking in this segment. Photos taken with the A3X also look more true to life than the ones from the contenders. And while the A3X is pre-installed with Android 14 OS, the competing phones come with Android 13 OS. 

However, compared to the Unisoc T603 CPU that powered A3X, the contenders are fitted with a slightly more better Unisoc T606. Although there's not much difference between the performance of the A3X and those of the contenders. It's just that the contenders were able to handle demanding tasks a little more better than the A3X. In other words, when it comes to day to day usage and basic tasks, A3X is as smooth and as responsive as the contenders.

Redmi A3X also traded RAM and storage configuration for its unrivaled selling points (design, display, build quality and photography). In other words, at the price of the base model of the A3X, the main contenders are equipped with higher RAMs and twice storage space. 

Price And Colour Design:

Redmi A3X is available in two different texture finish. There's a leather-like finish and a glassy finish.

The one with glassy finish is further available in two colour options of either Midnight Black or Moonlight White. On the other hand, the leather-like variant is available in only one colour of Aurora Green. Currently, the price of the A3X base variant is about 102,000 Naira.

The Contenders:

At the price of the base model (3GB RAM/64GB storage) of the Redmi A3X, Tecno Pop 8 and Infinix Smart 8 offer 4GB of RAMs and 128GB inbuilt storages. Both of them also features higher megapixel cameras and slightly beefier Unisoc T606 CPU.

But unlike the A3X that features Android 14, both of the Smart 8 and Pop 8 come with Android 13. Even, there's no assurance of Android 14 update for the two phones. Also both of them don't have the build quality nor refreshing looks of the Redmi phone. In other words, the two phones wear familiar (though sleek) looks that's common among most of the recent budget phones. However, instead of tear-drop notch, the two phones sport hole-punch cameras. Which makes their fronts to look more appealing than that of the A3X.

Yet, compared to the 6.71-inch screen of the A3X, both of the Pop 8 and Infinix Smart 8 feature slightly smaller screens of 6.6-inch. Also the two displays are not as stunning as the one on the Redmi phone. Even, in spite of their higher megapixel cameras, photos taken with the phones appear a little less realistic than the ones from the A3X.

DESIGN: Refreshing Looks And Better Build Quality:

As i mentioned before, Xiaomi Redmi A3X is distinguished by its unique design and better build quality.

Although the display of the phone comes with a notch; which is not as sleek looking as the hole-punch cameras on the two contenders, yet the entire front of the A3X looks more premium and classier. The edges and back cover of the phone are also slightly more flatter.

But what really gives this phone its unique looks is it's distinct camera module.

While most of the recent budget phones are coming with a similar iPhone style camera bumps, Redmi A3X sports a distinct and premium-looking circular camera bump. And it's neatly placed on the upper part of the phone's back cover.

In addition to its refreshing looks, another nice thing about the Redmi A3X is that it's well put together and feels a little sturdier (at hand) than the competitions. Also, unlike most of them, Redmi A3X has Corning Gorilla Glass 3 Protection on its front.

Still, like the contenders and most phones in this segment, Redmi A3X has no IP (dust or splash resistant) rating.

The arrangements of ports and buttons on this phone are slightly different from those of the competitions. Though, like those of the main contenders, the volume keys and power button; which also doubles as a fingerprint, are found on the right edge of the A3X. And its 4G dual nano-SIM slot (and tray) is also located on the left edge. 

But, while the contenders and most of other budget phones have their speakers and 3.5mm audio jack placed on their bottom edges, those of the Redmi A3X are placed on its top edge. Which means you only have microphone and USB Type-C port on the bottom edge of this phone.

Big And Pretty 90Hz Display:

Though like the 6.6-inch screens on the main contenders, the 6.71-inch screen of the Redmi A3X has an IPS-LCD panel and features a 720p (1650x720) resolution. The screen also support 90Hz or high refresh rate (for smoother page scrolling and swiping). But in addition to the fact that the A3X screen is bigger, it also has better picture qualities.

The screen has better colour reproduction and better white balance. In fact, the colour reproduction of the A3X screen is almost on par with those of the more expensive Xiaomi Redmi 13C and Samsung Galaxy A05.

The display vibrancy is also similar to those of the two more expensive budget phones. In other words, the peak brightness (about 500nit) of the screen is a little higher than those of the main contenders. As s result, the display is more viewable outdoors. Even there's a dedicated "Outdoor Mode" in the display Settings. The Mode boost the A3X screen brightness when you're under direct sunlight or outdoors.

And as a result of its vibrancy and better colour reproduction, media contents look more appealing on the A3X screen, compared to those of the competitions.Therefore, in addition to the fact that it's not easy to find another phone at this price point that offers Corning Glass protection, it's also hard to find one with a better looking display than the Redmi A3X.

Decent Photography;

In addition to its looks, its build quality and display, another selling point of the Xiaomi Redmi A3X is camera.

In details, Redmi A3X comes with an 8-megapixel dual rear camera and a 5-megapixel front-facing camera. Though the set-up is lower than the 13-megapixel dual back cameras and 8-megapixel front cameras on the two contenders, yet photos taken with the A3X are as sharp and as detailed as the ones taken with the competing phones. Even, the shots from the Redmi appear slightly clearer.

Secondly, photos taken with the Redmi A3X also have better colour representation. Though, like the ones from the contenders, the shots have saturated colours, but the colours appear more pleasant and more accurate on the Redmi shots.

Even despite that the colours are on the saturated side, the warm tone that affect the shots from the contenders, are minimal on the A3X.

In fact, if not because they are less detailed and have slightly saturated colours, the photos taken with the Redmi A3X can be easily passed for the ones taken with the more expensive Redmi 13C and Galaxy A05.

Meanwhile, like those of the contenders, both the front and rear cameras of the Redmi A3X can shoot videos up to 1080p at 30fps (frame per second).

It should be noted that like those of the competitions, the cameras on the Redmi A3X also need good lighting conditions to deliver clearer and better looking photos.

Decent Performance, Latest OS:

Low-end Android phones such as the Redmi A3X are meant for basic taks and light games. Because they often feature low-tier CPUs. Even, as i mentioned earlier, compared to the Unisoc 606 CPU that's inside the main contenders, the Unisoc T603 that powered A3X is a little less beefier. 

Though T603 is also an Octa-Core processor like the T606, even it has a slightly higher (1.8GHz) clock speed than the 1.6GHz T606. But T603 is a 22nm processor, compared to 12nm T606. Also, while the 8 cores of the T603 are made of the same Arm Cortex-A55, two out of the 8 cores of the T606 are made of Arm Cortex-A75.

So, despite that A3X was able to move as quick and as smooth as the contenders, when it comes single tasks, the contending phones were able to multi-task and handle demanding tasks such as gaming a little more better and more smoother than the A3X. 

Still, it should be emphasized that A3X is not a gaming phone, neither the contenders with T606 processor.

Meanwhile, apart from the fact that the phone is running on a more recent Android 14 OS (compared to the Android 13 powered contenders), Redmi A3X also comes with assurance of two OS updates and up to three years of security patches. However, i don't think you'll be getting OS updates for the contenders.

And like the contenders, Xiaomi Redmi A3X support Memory extension (or Virtual RAM) of up to 3GB. In other word, you can convert up to 3GB out of the phone's internal storage space to Virtual RAM. Thereby, making the total amount of RAM available on the A3X base model, for instance, to be 6GB.

The 64GB inbuilt storage of the phone can also be expanded, through microSD card, up to 1TB (One Terabyte).   

Standard Battery And Charging:

Despite that A3X is also powered by a 5,000mAh battery and features 10W (standard) charging like the contenders, the phone is little less power efficient than them. Because as i said, the phone's T603 CPU is a 22nm processor, compared to the contenders 12nm T606 CPU. Nonetheless, the gap in their battery lives is not that wide.

And with the phone's out-of-the-box 10W adapter, it will take you a little over three hours, to fully charge Xiaomi Redmi A3X battery from zero percent.

Full Specifications Of The Xiaomi Redmi A3X (24048RN6C):

GENERAL

Maker: Xiaomi Redmi.

Name: A3X (24048RN6C).

Year Released: April, 2024.

Dimensions: 168.4x76.3x8.3mm

Weight: 193g.

IP Rating: No.

Colour: Midnight Black, Moonlight White & Aurora Green).

DISPLAY

Screen Panel Type: IPS-LCD capacitive Touchscreen.

Size and Resolution: 6.71-inch, HD+, 1650-by-720 pixels, 90Hz (high) Refresh Rate.

Aspect ratio & Pixel Densities: 20:9, 268PPI.

Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3.

PORTS:

3.5mm Audio Jack: Yes.

USB Type-C Port: Yes.

MicroUSB port: No.

Lightning Connector: No.

Google Assistant Button: No.

IRS Blaster: No

PERFORMANCE

Chipset: Unisoc T603, 22nm Octa-Core Processor, 1.8GHz.

GPU: PowerVR-GE8322.

RAM: 3GB/4GB (With up to 3GB of Virtual RAM).

Operating System: Android 14 (Go Edition), MIUI.

STORAGE

Internal Storage: 64GB/128GB.

Micro-SD card slot: Yes, up to 1TB (One Terabyte).

SIM AND NETWORK

SIM: Nano, Dual SIM slots.

Network: GSM, HSPA+, & LTE.

CAMERA

Rear camera: Dual-lens; 8MP +AI, Dual-Flash.

Front camera: Single-lens, 5MP Dual Front Flash.

VIDEO RECORDING:

Rear Cameras: 720p, 1080p @ 30 fps.

Front Camera: 720p, 1080p @ 30 fps.

CONNECTIVITY:

Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.4, HotSpots, USB-OTG.

BIOMETRIC, SENSORS & LOCATION: 

Security: Face Unlock, Side-mounted fingerprint reader.

Sensors: Ambient light, Virtual Proximity, G-sensor, Accelerometer And

Barometer.

Others: GPS, Location (Geo, Glonass), Beidou.

BATTERY

Capacity: 5,000mAh.

Qi Wireless-Charging: N/a.

Fast Charging: 10W (Wired).