This, Mi A is a result of a partnership between Xiaomi and Google. The Xiaomi Google dubbed program saw its inception with Xiaomi Mi A1, which was succeeded by Xiaomi Mi A2 which has now been succeeded by Xiaomi Mi A3. Both the A1 nor A2 lived up to expectation and hype of great camera, great build and mostly importantly, pure android experience. The stock android bit I am sure Xiaomi Mi A3 must meet since this is the very reason for this partnership Xiaomi has with Google. That is, stock android experience (Google) on a Xiaomi smartphone. And this is exclusive to only this line for all Xiaomi phones. My concern is if this one will strongly come out as a leap forward or just another addition to keep the program alive. Well, soon we shall find out. First let us take a look at the key features of Xiaomi Mi A3.

Xiaomi Mi A3 64GB Features

• GSM, HSPA and LTE network technology
• Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
• Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors
• 6.01 inches, 88.7 cm2
• 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~286 ppi density)
• Corning Gorilla Glass 5
• Android 9.0 (Pie); Android One
• Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) chipset
• Octa-core (2×2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 6×1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) CPU
• Adreno 610 GPU
• 64GB, 4 GB RAM
• microSD, up to 256 GB (uses shared SIM slot)
• Primary camera: 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2″, 0.8µm, PDAF
  8 MP, (ultrawide), f/2.2, 1.12µm
  2 MP, f/2.4, depth sensor
•                 2160p@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps
• Selfie camera: 32 MP, f/2.0, 0.8µm
•             1080p@30fps
• Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot
• Bluetooth 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
• Infrared port
• GPS with A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS
• USB 2.0, Type-C 1.0 reversible connector
• FM Radio
• Fingerprint (under display), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
• Non-removable Li-Po 4030 mAh battery
• Fast battery charging 18W (Quick Charge 3)
• Colors: Kind of Gray, Not just Blue, More than White

Design and build 

Xiaomi Mi A3 has a premium glass back design with aluminum frames. The glass is Corning Gorilla 5- this ensures its durability and scratch resistance. Glass backs however do attract fingerprint smudges, it is no wonder Xiaomi includes a free back cover in the package. Okay to some extend the Mi A2 has more appealing looks than this one- but that’s just my observation. Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. That panel has the triple camera setup on the top right corner with an LED flash below the setup. You will also realize that there is no rear mounted fingerprint scanner here- well that is because it is underneath the display.

That front facing panel has a dewdrop camera notch. And although the chin is noticeable it still does not take up so much space.  Find the power button below the volume rocker here.

Display and camera

Display 

I only mentioned the glass back panel. Know that Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection is also on the front panel to protect that vibrant Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen of Xiaomi Mi A3. It is a compact smartphone by 2019 standard having a display size of 6.01 inches, 88.7 cm2. The only quarrel I have with this display is with its resolution. I speak about that relatively low 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~286 ppi density). It is a low resolution and even the ppi density agrees with my observation. But being an AMOLED panel, you get deep colors that should probably cover for that. Still cannot get it out of my head though.

Camera 

We can begin this by talking about the front facing 32 MP, f/2.0, 0.8µm selfie camera that capably can shoot 1080p@30fps videos. It is crisp, that you can be sure about. Just as crisp as that on its predecessor.

On the back panel is where you will find the primary camera which is a 48 MP, f/1.8 wide lens. Wide as one may think it, it doesn’t come anywhere close to its 8 MP ultrawide f/2.2 camera lens- a feature you will find yourself using. It fits in more content in a single picture hence its name. Finally, there is the other lens. A humble 2 MP, f/2.4 depth sensor. Video recording capability on the primary camera is 4K 2160p@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps.

Performance and memory 

Platform 

This is an Android 9.0 (Pie) smartphone obviously. And how timely updates will reach your device should you decide to buy this Android One phones. It has a mid-range Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) chipset with an Octa-core (2×2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 6×1.8GHz Kryo 260 Silver) CPU and an Adreno 610 GPU. Yeah these have been kept fair to retain that affordably fair price tag you get it for.

Storage 

Xiaomi Mi A3 has 64GB internal storage running on 4 GB RAM. A microSD can be used to expand internal storage up to 256 GB (uses shared SIM slot).

Battery 

There is a sealed within non-removable Li-Po 4030 mAh battery inside the Xiaomi Mi A3 that should see you go a whole day or two until next charge- where fast battery charging 18W (Quick Charge 3) will be initiated.