Xiaomi Launches Metal-made Redmi Note 3 and Mi Pad 2

Popular Chinese manufacturer Xiaomi used its recent launch event to reveal a new flagship phablet phone in the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3. Xiaomi is selling the tablet in two versions: a 16GB option for RMB 999 and a 64GB version at RMB 1,299 in dark gray or champagne gold.

The smartphone seems to follow the recent market trend where more storage also equals more RAM, so the 16 GB model will rely on 2 GB of RAM whereas the variant with 32 GB of on-board storage will sport 3 GB or RAM.

Xiaomi said they will launch two editions of the Redmi Note 3.

The Redmi Note 3 now gets a full metal body with a sandblasted finish to impart a more premium and solid demeanor. Plus, with a screen size of 7.9 inches, the Mi Pad 2 still qualifies for a free Windows 10 license. Pricing will be set at 899 yuan ($140 USD) for the 2GB RAM/16GB storage model and 1099 yuan ($172 USD) for the 3GB/32GB variant. 2GB of LPDDR3 memory is equipped, as is either 16GB or 64GB of built-in storage (whether there is a microSD card slot is, again, not specified). There’s also a 13-megapixel rear camera, a 5-megapixel front camera and support for dual 4G SIMs.

Increasing the focus on its nascent payment service, China’s Xiaomi has brought a fingerprint scanner to its range of affordable smartphones for the first time after it unveiled the third-generation Redmi Note in Beijing today. For now, though, the Redmi Note 3 should do just fine.

The latest model features a design that is considerably prettier that the brightly coloured plastic shells that were featured on the company’s original Mi Pad model.

Also like the Redmi Note 3, the Mi Pad 2 will run Android beneath a custom MIUI 7 UI.

The MIUI-based Mi Pad 2 is due for release this month, with the Windows 10 version slated for December. Powering it all is a 6190 mAh battery and the device also features USB Type-C port for charging and data transfer.

The smartphone comes with a 4,00o mAh battery with fast charging (50% in 1 hour) technology.

The Redmi Note 3 could be the Redmi Note 2 Pro we spotted on TENAA last week.

The new tablet is just 6.95 mm thin while its predecessor measured 8.5mm thickness.