Smart Postpaid Offers Xiaomi Mi3 for Free via Data Plan 999

Smart Communications has just become the first network in the country to bring the much talked about Mi3 by Xiaomi - the smartphone with superior specs comparable to high-end smartphones but at a more affordable price. Now, Filipinos can get the best performance of this powerful smartphone with Smart’s biggest network.

Smart Postpaid Xiaomi Mi3

For the few who are still not yet familiar with it: Xiaomi is a relatively young electronics company whose low-cost yet high-quality phones have allowed it to outsell Apple in China and get the admiration of Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak.

Xiaomi Mi3, Xiaomi Mi3 Philippines, Xiaomi Android Smartphone

Just echoing what I've already posted a couple times on TechPinas: Xiaomi Mi3, the current flagship smartphone, is the company's most popular handset thus far. And for good reason; It combines head-turning design, stunning display, great imaging capabilities, long uptime, and stellar technical specifications into one very affordable device.

Xiaomi Mi3, Xiaomi Mi3 Philippines, Xiaomi Android Smartphone
Mi 3 is just 8.1mm thin and weighs only 145 grams.

Xiaomi Mi3, Xiaomi Mi3 Philippines, Xiaomi Android Smartphone
The volume rocker and power button are conveniently located on the device's right panel for easy access using the thumb (or pointer and index fingers if you're a lefty) when holding the phone.

Xiaomi Mi3, Xiaomi Mi3 Philippines, Xiaomi Android Smartphone

Xiaomi Mi 3 flaunts a 5-inch Full HD IPS OGS display that - as you can see in the photo above - looks crisp and brilliant regardless of the viewing angle. Inside the polycarbonate shell (that's beautifully painted in such a way that it looks like real aluminum), the handset runs Android 4.4.2 KitKat operating system fully skinned by the Xiaomi's very intuitive and gorgeous MIUI interface with its Quad Core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 and Adreno 330 GPU based Qualcomm MSM8274AB Snapdragon 800 SoC. This chipset is complemented by 2 GB of RAM for smooth multitasking and 16 GB of non-expandable internal storage. Mi3 is powered by a large non-removable 3,050 mAh Li-Ion battery pack that - according to Xiaomi - delivers 500 hours of standby and 21 hours of 3G internet use.

Xiaomi Mi3, Xiaomi Mi3 Philippines, Xiaomi Android Smartphone

One of the highlights of this smartphone is its 13 MegaPixel autofocus camera with dual-LED flash at the back that - Xiaomi says - "takes amazing photos in low light with a super-large Exmor sensor and an Æ’/2.2 aperture. The built-in Phillips dual-LED flash quickly adds the perfect lighting to make your subjects beautiful. Never miss another photo opportunity again." There's also a 2 MegaPixel front cam, located above the display, which works well with Xiaomi's photo enhancing software giving users more attractive selfies that are ready for sharing on social networking sites.

Last June 9, 2014 at UCC Mentore Cafe in Makati City, I got the chance to have a conversation with Mr. Hugo Barra, former VP of Google for Android Product Management and current VP of Xiaomi Global, and he gave me an exclusive features rundown and demo of Xiaomi's current product line-up for the Philippines, including Xiaomi Mi3. I got everything on video and if you will, check it out:


Hugo told me that Xiaomi Mi3 is ideal for consumers who want a phone with a stunning display, great camera, and top-notch technical specifications. I agree. Personally, I think it's perfect for those who want really high-end specs but aren't keen on spending too much money on a smartphone.

Smart Postpaid Xiaomi Mi3

As I've said, Mi3 by Xiaomi will be offered with Smart Data Plan 999 as a free bundled device with the following inclusions: All Day Surfing, 99 All Network Texts, and 9 minutes All Network Calls. Smart opened its Xiaomi Mi3 pre-order page today - August 8, 2014 - at exact 4 PM. If you're planning to avail of this bundle, I would suggest that you sign up as soon as you can because this handset is pretty hot and I'm sure a lot of subscribers are eager to get hold for a unit.

TechPinas Smartphone Technical Specs Table (TSTST)
Name Smart Xiaomi Mi3
Type Slate Form Factor (Full Touchscreen)
Price Category Midrange (Flagship Level)
Dimensions144 x 73.6 x 8.1 mm
Weight 145 grams
Available Colors Smart Postpaid: Metallic Grey
Operating System Android 4.4.2 KitKat
Display 5.0 inches (~441 ppi pixel density), 1080 x 1920 pixels, IPS LCD, capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors
Processor Quad Core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 CPU, Adreno 330 GPU, Qualcomm MSM8274AB Snapdragon 800 chipset
RAM 2 GB RAM
Internal Storage 16 GB, non-expandable
Camera Main: 13 MegaPixels, 4128 x 3096 pixels, Autofocus, dual-LED flash, Touch Focus, Image Stabilization, HDR
Front: 2 MegaPixels
Video Capture Main: Full HD 1080p 30 frames per second, HDR
Front: Full HD 1080p 30 frames per second, HDR
Audio and Video Playback MP4, DivX, XviD, WMV, H.264, H.263, MP3, WAV, eAAC+, FLAC player
Ports microUSB v2.0 (MHL), TV-out (via MHL A/V link), USB On-The-Go, 3.5 mm audio jack
Connectivity Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth v4.0 with A2DP, EDR, 3G HSDPA, 21 Mbps; HSUPA, 5.76 Mbps, HSPA+
GPS Yes, with GLONASS and A-GPS
Sensors Accelerometer, Digital Compass, Proximity, Gyroscope
Network 2G Network GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900, 3G Network HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
SIM Card Type Regular Mini SIM, Single SIM
Battery Non-removable Li-Ion 3,050 mAh battery
Uptime According to Xiaomi:
500 hours of Standby Time
50 hours of Music Playback
25 hours of Talk Time
21 hours of 3G Internet Use
Value-Added Features MIUI, HDR, Ultra-Affordable Price Tag
Announcement Smart Postpaid: August 8, 2014
Availability Smart Postpaid: August 8, 2014
Price Free with Data Plan 999