Xiaomi Redmi 7, Redmi Y3 launched in India with aura gradient design, Snapdragon 632 processor: Specs, features and everything to know

Xiaomi launched two new budget phones, the Redmi Y3 and Redmi 7, in India on Wednesday. While the Redmi Y3 is making its global debut in India, the Redmi 7 has been around in China for some time. Both the phones essentially try to offer a Redmi Note 7 and Redmi Note 7 Pro-like experience at an even more affordable price tag – but they’re targeted towards different audiences. While the Redmi Y3 is a selfie-centric phone, the Redmi 7 is a value all-rounder, according to Xiaomi. 

Xiaomi has launched the Redmi Y3 in India at a starting price of Rs 9,999 (3GB/32GB), while the Redmi 7 has been launched at a starting price of Rs 7,999 (2GB/32GB). Both the phones will be available for buying from Amazon India, Mi.com/in online store and Xiaomi’s Mi Home stores. 

The Redmi Y3 and Redmi 7 may be directed towards different audiences, but both the phones have a lot in common – from design to core hardware. Both the phones also share a few key aspects with the Redmi Note 7/Redmi Note 7 Pro – which have been off to a blazing start in India, if Xiaomi’s recent sales figures are any indication. Clearly, Xiaomi is looking to maintain the momentum with the Redmi Y3 and Redmi 7. 

So, let’s start with the differences. Both the phones boast of Xiaomi’s new aura gradient design scheme (seen in the Redmi Note 7/Redmi Note 7 Pro), but there’s a slight twist in the pattern – also, both the Redmi Y3 and Redmi 7 are made of plastic. While the Redmi 7 has what Xiaomi is calling aura smoke design, the Redmi Y3 comes with an aura prism effect – while in the Redmi 7, the gradient shifts from bottom (light) to top (dark), the Redmi Y3 sees a gradient shift from the sides inwards. Which is why even though both the phones are available in black, red and blue, Xiaomi is using different terms to describe them. The Redmi Y3 will be available in Prime Black, Bold Red and Elegant Blue. The Redmi 7 will be available in Eclipse Black, Lunar Red and Comet Blue. 

Photo by Saurabh Singh

As mentioned earlier, the Redmi Y3 is a selfie-centric phone – it is successor to the Redmi Y2. But while the Redmi Y2 came with a 16MP front camera, the Redmi Y3 bumps things up by bringing in a segment first 32MP selfie camera – Xiaomi is using a Samsung GD1 sensor here, which is also seen in more expensive phones like the Vivo V15 Pro and Samsung Galaxy A70. The Redmi Y3’s front camera can also record electronically stabilized (EIS) 1080p videos at 30fps. There’s also software-based portrait mode. The Redmi 7, on the other hand, comes with an 8MP front camera.  

Lastly, the two phones also differ in configuration – while the Redmi Y3 will be available in 3GB/32GB, 4GB/64GB variants, the Redmi 7 will be available in 2GB/32GB, 3GB/32GB variants. 

Xiaomi Redmi Y3, Redmi 7 specs and features 

Rest of the deal is same across the board. Both the Redmi Y3 and Redmi 7 come with a 6.26-inch 720p+ (HD+) display with a teardrop/waterdrop style notch - Xiaomi is calling it a dot notch. There’s Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection up-top and both the phones also retain the Redmi Note 7/Redmi Note 7 Pro’s P2i hydrophobic coating which makes them resistant to light accidental splashes of water/rain. 

Both the phones are powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 632 processor and run Android 9 Pie-based MIUI 10. Both the phones come with a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, IR blaster, dual-SIM 4G connectivity and storage expansion via a dedicated micro-SD card slot. Both the phones pack a 4,000mAh battery under the hood with 5V/2A charging through micro-USB.  

Both the Redmi Y3 and Redmi 7 have the same dual rear cameras as the Redmi Note 7 – which is a combination of a 12MP primary sensor with f/2.2 aperture and a 2MP sensor for depth sensing aka portrait photography. 

Xiaomi Redmi Y3, Redmi 7 India price and availability 

The Redmi Y3 has been launched in India at a starting price of Rs 9,999 for the variant with 3GB RAM and 32GB storage, going all the way to Rs 11,999 for the top-end variant with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage. The Redmi Y3 will be available for buying in India from April 30 from Amazon India, Mi.com/in online store and from Mi Home stores later. 

The Redmi 7 has meanwhile been launched in India at a starting price of Rs 7,999 for the variant with 2GB RAM and 32GB storage, going all the way to Rs 8,999 for the top-end variant with 3GB RAM and 32GB storage. The Redmi 7 will be available for buying in India from April 29 from Amazon India, Mi.com/in online store and from Mi Home stores later. 

Also Read:  REVIEW: Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Is The Best Value For Money Phone Under Rs 10,000