Xiaomi Redmi 3 announced with full metal chassis and 4,100 mAh battery for $105

Xiaomi just put out a fast-charging external battery pack for $105 that happens to have a smartphone attached. That’s one way of looking at the Xiaomi Redmi 3, a ridiculously cheap phone with a massive 4,100 mAh battery that extends the talk-time of its predecessor by 80%.

Xiaomi is known for its low-cost strategy, but this is impressive even by Xiaomi standards. Nearly doubling the battery capacity of the Redmi 2, the Redmi 3 isn’t just a phone with a big battery, either.

It also packs a 5-inch HD display, octa-core Snapdragon 616 SoC, 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of internal storage backed up with microSD expansion, all housed in a full metal chassis.

The Redmi 3 is also equipped with dual-SIM (although one slot doubles as the SD card tray). On the camera front, the Redmi 3 comes with a 13 MP primary camera with f/2.0 aperture and 0.1 second Phase Detection Auto-Focus (PDAF). On the front, there’s a 5 MP selfie camera with f/2.2 aperture. The Redmi 3 is available in three colors: black, silver and gold.

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The Redmi 3 release date for China is January 12 via Tmall and Mi.com (there are no details around a global launch). The Redmi 3 price in China is 699 RMB, the equivalent of $105. The Redmi 3 may not be available outside China just yet, but for a full metal phone with a battery that big, you can bet the world is taking notice.

Would you like to see the Redmi 3 in the US?

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Xiaomi announces Redmi 3 with a full metal body and 4100 mAh battery BEIJING, 11 January 2016 — Leading smartphone company Xiaomi announced Redmi 3 today, which features a beautiful new look and upgraded features from its predecessor, including a 4100 mAh battery. With a full metal body and an all-new lattice design, made up of 4166 stars woven together to reflect a gorgeous arrangement of diamonds, Redmi 3 goes on sale for RMB 699 starting 12 January. Despite measuring just 8.5mm and weighing only 144 grams, Redmi 3 packs a powerful 4100 mAh battery with an increased battery density of 685Wh/L, which extends the talk time of its predecessor by 80%. Redmi 3 comes with support for 5V/2A fast charging. It also ships with MIUI 7, which includes battery optimisations that can further prolong the use of the device by up to 25%. The two SIM card slots on Redmi 3 offer support for all three major operators in China. If only one SIM card is used, the second slot doubles as a microSD card slot, which supports cards up to 128GB in capacity. Combined with the 16GB internal storage, users will have no lack of space for music, videos and photos. Here are the key specs of Redmi 3: – 5-inch 720P HD display – Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 616 processor – 2GB RAM – 16GB storage with microSD card slot (supports up to 128GB) – 4100mAh battery – 139.3 x 69.6 x 8.5mm; 144g – 13-megapixel, F/2.0 rear camera with PDAF for fast 0.1s autofocus – 5-megapixel F/2.2 front camera – Dual SIM (second slot doubles as microSD card slot) Available in three colours, Redmi 3 will be available at RMB 699 in China starting tomorrow on Mi.com and Tmall.

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