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There's something magical about using a classic smartphone in modern times. I spent a day with the beloved Redmi Note 3 alongside the latest Redmi Buds 5 and Redmi Watch 5 Lite, discovering how this 2016 champion still holds its own in 2025. Here's my journey through this unique tech experience.

Here's how my day unfolded with this unique combination of old and new.

Morning Routine (6:00 AM - 9:00 AM)

The morning begins with the Redmi Note 3's classic aluminum body in my hands—a stark contrast to today's glass sandwiches. The Watch 5 Lite on my wrist springs to life, but pairing it with the Note 3 was not impossible as the watch is backward compatible.

The Redmi Buds 5 connects to the ageing phone—Bluetooth 4.1, which shows its age against modern TWS requirements. I find myself appreciating the Note 3's build quality.

During my Work Hours (9:00 AM - 5:00 PM)

The Note 3's Snapdragon 650 processor handles basic tasks surprisingly well. Personal Email checking, messaging, and light web browsing work adequately, though modern web pages occasionally strain the 3GB RAM. The 16MP camera, once a flagship feature, now shows its age against contemporary computational photography. However, the results are still fantastic compared to a tech that is almost 9 years older.

Shot on Redmi note 3 in 2025

The Watch 5 Lite continues logging my activity and sending notifications, though I do not miss the seamless integration with the phone.

Battery life on the Note 3 remains impressive—the 4000mAh battery was ahead of its time and still holds up reasonably well, even with its age.

Evening Activities (5:00 PM - 10:00 PM)

As evening sets in, the Note 3's camera produces photos with a distinct character—less processed and more natural than modern computational photography. It's like shooting with a classic film camera, where each shot requires more thought and creativity. The older MIUI version offers a clean, uncluttered experience free from the feature bloat that sometimes overwhelms modern interfaces.

Captured while setting up the phone during the previous night

The Watch 5 Lite and Buds 5 continue their independent operation, creating an interesting multi-device setup that showcases how one can blend vintage and modern tech effectively.

The Verdict - The Joy of Classic Tech

Using the Redmi Note 3 in 2025 is like driving a well-maintained classic car—it offers an experience that's both nostalgic and genuinely enjoyable. Its thoughtful design choices and solid engineering continue to impress, while its limitations encourage a more mindful approach to smartphone use.

Timeless Strengths:

• Exceptional build quality that's aged beautifully
• Outstanding battery life that rivals modern phones
• Reliable performance for daily tasks
• Pure, high-quality wired audio experience
• Distraction-free user interface
• Thoughtful, ergonomic design

Charming Classic Features:

• Natural, unprocessed photography
• Physical capacitive buttons
• IR blaster for universal remote control
• Quick, reliable fingerprint sensor
• Dedicated microSD card slot

A Bridge Between Eras

The Redmi Note 3 represents more than just a smartphone—it's a testament to Redmi's engineering excellence that set the foundation for today's devices. Using it alongside 2024's Redmi accessories creates a unique setup that bridges different eras of mobile technology, proving that good design truly stands the test of time.

Tech Heritage

Redmi Note 3 (2016)

• Snapdragon 650: A performance champion of its era
• 3GB RAM: Still capable of smooth multitasking
• 16MP Camera: Natural, true-to-life images
• 4000mAh Battery: Ahead of its time
• Premium metal unibody design

Modern Companions (2024)

• Redmi Buds 5: Next-gen audio technology
• Redmi Watch 5 Lite: Modern health companion

This experiment shows how thoughtful engineering creates devices that remain relevant and enjoyable long after their release. The Redmi Note 3's enduring appeal alongside modern accessories proves that great technology never truly becomes obsolete—it simply gains character with age.

I would love to own a classic device with features like a superior camera, better hardware, and 5G enabled on the new Redmi Note 14 series.