Chinese device maker Xiaomi is updating its line of low-cost smartphones with a new model featuring a 5 inch display, a metal body, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 processor, a hefty 4,100 mAh battery and a fingerprint scanner.
The Xiaomi Redmi 3S is launching in China for a starting price of 699 Yuan (about $106).
The entry-level model has 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage, but there’s also an 899 Yuan ($136) model with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage.
Both versions of the phone have 5 inch, 1280 x 720 pixel displays, Qualcomm’s octa-core, 64-bit processor, dual SIM support (or you can use one of those SIM slots for a microSD card), and 13MP cameras with support for HDR imagery and 0.1 second auto-focus. The front camera has a 5MP sensor.
Xiaomi offers models in silver, grey, or gold. Like most Xiaomi phones, the Redmi 3S will be available initially in China, although there’s always a chance the company may offer it in other markets such as India, Brazil, or Singapore in the future.
Also like most Xiaomi phones, the Redmi 3S does not support the 4G LTE bands used by US cellular providers, so even if you did try to import the phone to the US it wouldn’t be much use unless you were looking to use it as an iPod touch-like digital media device rather than a phone. But given the low price tag, that’s actually kind of tempting.
