Xiaomi sub-brand Redmi has unveiled the first smartphone under its newest performance-focused series, the Redmi Turbo, following the launch of the Redmi Turbo 3 at an event in China.

The lineup positions itself between the mainstream Redmi Note and the more premium Redmi K series, targeting users who prioritize performance without necessarily needing top-of-the-line specs across the board. And with its powerful processor, vibrant display, and potentially handy features like Air Gestures, which will allow users to control their device conveniently from a distance without touching the screen, the Redmi Turbo 3 sees itself as a compelling option for users seeking a feature-packed phone without breaking the bank.

The Redmi Turbo 3 will be available in China starting April 15, with rumors suggesting an international release under the POCO F6 moniker. Hopefully, the handset will go on sale in the Philippines as well.

In China, the Redmi Turbo 3 starts at a competitive price of ¥1,999 (around $276 converted or P15,610) for the base 12GB RAM and 256GB storage variant. Higher storage options cost ¥2,299 ($317 or P17,952) and ¥2,499 ($345 or P19,514) for the 12GB/512GB and 16GB/512GB variants, respectively, while the top-shelf 16GB/1TB model carries a price tag of ¥2,799 ($386 or P21,856). Black, titanium, and green are your color options.

For serious Potterheads, Redmi is also offering a spellbinding limited-edition Harry Potter variant of the Redmi Turbo 3. This version boasts a custom rear design inspired by J.K. Rowling’s wizarding world and even includes themed in-box accessories and wallpapers to complete the magical makeover. It comes with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage and sells for ¥2,699 ($373 or P21,072).

Redmi Turbo 3 Harry Potter Special Edition video. Main image via X (formerly Twitter)

Aimed at delivering flagship-level performance at a competitive price point, the Redmi Turbo 3 boasts the recently announced Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset, which, according to benchmarks, is a slightly toned-down version of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC powering today’s flagship Android devices.

The Redmi Turbo 3 also features a 6.67-inch AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate, 1.5K resolution, and support for HDR10+ as well as Dolby Vision. With a peak brightness of 2400 nits, the display should offer exceptional viewing experiences even in bright outdoor conditions. An under-display fingerprint sensor and a 20-megapixel punch-hole selfie camera complete the front of the device.

At the back, there’s a triple-camera system featuring a 50-megapixel Sony LYT-600 main sensor with optical image stabilization. Accompanying the main sensor is an 8-megapixel ultrawide for landscape and group photos. Redmi’s native camera app also packs an AI-powered object-eraser function, similar to OPPO’s AI Eraser and Google Pixel’s Magic Eraser, that lets you remove unwanted elements from your photos.

Keeping the lights on is a 5,000mAh battery with support for 90-watt fast charging, ensuring you can quickly top up the phone when needed. Software-wise, the Redmi Turbo 3 runs Xiaomi’s HyperOS on top of Android 14 out of the box. This custom interface introduces new features, including Air Gestures, which could be particularly useful for taking selfies or navigating the UI when your hands are full or wet. HyperOS also enhances productivity and accessibility with AI-powered features like real-time live subtitles and intelligent text summarization.

Redmi Turbo 3 specs

• 6.67-inch OLED display, 1.5K resolution, 120Hz refresh rate
• 4nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 5G processor
• Adreno 735 GPU
• 12GB/16GB RAM
• 256GB/512GB/1TB storage
• Dual 50-megapixel main, 8-megapixel ultrawide rear cameras
• 20-megapixel front camera
• Under-display fingerprint reader
• 5,000mAh battery with 90-watt USB-C charging
• HyperOS based on Android 14
• Colors: black, titanium, green

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