Xiaomi Mi Max 3 is a device that amazes for its performance and for its size and is really “Max” in terms of size. With the Mi Max Xiaomi series shows us the true evolution of the phablets and puts in our hands a smartphone that can position between smartphones and tablets and that allows us to replace them both thanks to a screen of almost 7 inches. Let’s find out all the details of the Xiaomi phablet in the review of Xiaomi Mi Max 3, a device that can be purchased on Gearbest for just $ 299.
Packaging, content and unboxing
The box of Mi Max 3 is reduced to the bone and contains the bare minimum for using the smartphone – 12 V / 1.5 A charger (about 2 hours for full charging) and a USB / USB-C cable from use for recharging. In the global version, the European charger is supplied, in the Chinese Gearbest also inserts a convenient adapter. There are no headphones and covers inside the package.
Design, construction and ergonomics
Evaluating the ergonomics of Xiaomi Mi Max 3 put me honestly in difficulty, being a cross between a smartphone and a tablet turns out to be a difficult product to evaluate. Xiaomi Mi Max 3 with its dimensions of 176.15 x 87.4 mm with 7.99 mm thick and 221 grams of weight is certainly not a pocket device and it is certainly not a product to be used with one hand. I tried to put it in the pockets of various pants but the results were embarrassing and bending and moving is not so easy, it is slightly better if you put the device in the pockets of jackets, clothes, and coats. If you usually use a bag, a shoulder bag or a backpack then you will not have to worry about the extra large size of this device. Obviously, if you are considering buying a device of this size you have already put in a quote that you can not put it in your pocket.
Leaving aside the questionable portability we can say that Xiaomi Mi Max 3 is a device built in an excellent manner. The unibody body with rounded corners is made entirely of metal and offers an excellent feeling and excellent resistance to scratches and bumps. In the frame, you can see the positioning of the antennas, but they do not negatively influence the sober, clean and elegant design of the smartphone. In the back, there is the double slightly protruding traffic light camera, which leads to the usual problems when we place the phablet on a flat surface, and the precise and fast fingerprint sensor. The front is completely uncluttered with very small frames on the long sides and on the average on the lower and upper sides where sensors, notification LEDs and front camera are positioned. The rounded corners help to hold the device in an easier and more comfortable way. Overall, the build quality of the device is excellent and you find yourself in your hands a beautiful and solid supersize smartphone.
Hardware
Xiaomi Mi Max 3 comes with a mid-range hardware that can guarantee excellent performance in all areas of use. The processor is a Snapdragon 636 octa-core 1.8 GHz flanked by a video card Adreno 509 and 4 GB of RAM. The internal memory is 64 GB expandable via microSD memory. Of note also the existence of the version with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal memory.
Performance
The hardware is able to provide excellent performance even in times of use under stress and allows you to have excellent performance even in gaming. The operating system and the various apps always run smoothly and smoothly and we have never encountered problems, lag or slowdowns. The audio compartment is also good thanks to a good double stereo speaker that works in combination with the headset capsule.
Connectivity
The connectivity is very good thanks to the presence of LTE connections with band 20 able to reach a maximum speed of 600 Mbps, Wi-Fi dual band, Bluetooth 5.0 and infrared port. The only absent is the NFC chip, the usual absence for Xiaomi devices. Do not miss the FM radio and the 3.5 mm audio jack that confirms the desire to create a device suitable for entertainment and enjoyment of multimedia content. Xiaomi Mi Max 3 is dual SIM and allows you to use two nano SIMs with excellent signal handling and reception. The hybrid trolley allows to sacrifice a SIM and to use the second slot to house a microSD memory.
Display
Xiaomi Mi Max 3 differs from the mass by its huge 6.9-inch display. The screen in 18 – 9 format is based on IPS technology with FullHD resolution + 1080 x 2160 pixels, on this last point could have been better but given the sale price, we can consider this value more than good. The panel is of good quality and is able to provide excellent brightness and readability under direct sunlight. Good also the balance of colors that are brilliant and realistic. The screen of Mi Max 3 does its job well and makes the perfect product to play videos in high resolution.
Software
In the Chinese version of Mi Max 3, MIUI 9 is pre-installed but it is now possible to upgrade to MIUI 10 which introduces numerous innovations and improvements. The MIUI of the Chinese version does not contain the Google Apps, problems easily solved in about ten minutes or by purchasing the Global version. I have already spoken extensively about MIUI 10 in the review of Xiaomi Mi 8, the software on Mi Max is virtually identical and contains all the new graphics and features of the new version of the Android operating system with customizations of Xiaomi. Also on Mi Max 3 are all the classic features of Xiaomi including new notifications, new multitasking, new gesture, Dual App, Second Space, Split Screen, facial unlock and all other functions.
The customization MIUI brings important changes to the Android system and makes it more similar to iOS, the system remains fluid and fast, even during situations of use under stress, and manages to give the user an immersive and practically perfect experience.
Camera
Xiaomi Mi Max 3 mounts a dual camera that combines two lenses – the main consists of a 12-megapixel sensor with focal aperture f / 1.9, the secondary has a 5-megapixel sensor that is used for depth and blur. The main camera allows you to create shots of good quality and is higher than the average device in this range. The camera is therefore very good, as it happens for all mid-range Xiaomi devices, and allows you to have clean and accurate shots and a good balance of colors in good light conditions and more than enough photos when the light goes down. The presence of automatic HDR and artificial intelligence allows you to have photos with colors and brightness perfectly balanced according to the various shooting scenes. Good videos in 4k resolution but they are not stabilized.
The front 8-megapixel camera has a front flash and allows you to make good selfie thanks to the presence of AI and software that allows many customizations.
The camera software is really complete and allows you to make shots deeply customizable and improved by good artificial intelligence.
Battery and autonomy
“Large batteries come from large screens” (semi cit.). The large size of the device allowed Xiaomi to install a monstrous battery of 5.550 mAh that allows you to get to cover two days of intense use and get up to 3 incredible days of autonomy in case of less demanding use. Currently, Mi Max 3 is the device with the best autonomy of the market.
Price
Xiaomi Mi Max 3 is not yet officially available in some country but can be purchased from the most famous retailers. The best price for Xiaomi Mi Max 3 is currently offered by Gearbest which offers the global version for only $ 299, then with Google Apps already installed. A really interesting price-quality ratio for a device with this screen and this battery.
Conclusions and final judgment on Xiaomi Mi Max 3
Xiaomi Mi Max 3 is a very interesting phablet able to give us the best autonomy of the market, a huge screen, and generally very good performance. If you are looking for a device that allows you to merge your smartphone and tablet, you have found the right product for you.
