Xiaomi Mi3 review, specs: Xiaomi's 2013 flagship smartphone sports a 5-inch IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen display, 2 GB RAM, 16 or 64 GB internal storage, and a 13 MP primary camera, all powered by a 2.3 GHz Krait 400 quad-core processor and Android 4.4.3 Jelly Bean (upgradable to 4.4.2 KitKat) OS.

Featuring high-quality specs enclosed in a classy aluminum-magnesium body, you might think that this handset costs so much. But think again.

For a very low price of $270, the Mi3 is available only in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Singapore. But with its impressive features, this handset has the potential to go global.

DESIGN & DISPLAY. The Xiaomi Mi3 measures 5.67 x 2.90 x 0.32 inches and weighs 145 grams. Although it has a metallic-looking body, it is 22% thinner than most smartphones. If you look a bit closer, you can see that Xiaomi has definitely put a lot of effort in the detail, such as the machined speaker holes and square-pegged camera.

In one look, the smartphone resembles more of Nokia's features than Apple's.

With a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels and a pixel density of 441 ppi, Mi3's 5-inch IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen definitely packs a punch. It is said to be 89% sharper than an average screen.

PERFORMANCE. Under the hood, the Xiaomi handset's processor performs well. In fact, it never lagged in the CNET bench mark test. When it comes to memory though, the mobile is either a bust or a boost. Having no microSD card slot, the Mi3 is only available with either a 16 GB or 64 GB internal storage.

Xiaomi Mi3's make or break, however, is still its software. The company has created its own version of Android, the MIUI. Claimed to be much more efficient and compatible, the software can be downloaded on any phone for you to try. Still, there is the thought that you would need to make a leap of faith on a different software.

CAMERA. There is a lot of promise on the Mi3's camera. Its rear sports 13 MP, 4128 x 3096 pixels, autofocus, dual-LED flash, while its front has 2 MP. Both have a video capability of 1080p at 30fps. CNET even commended its snappy shutters and simple, user-friendly modes.

If you're the type of user who is more on quality, total performance, and price rather that the brand, then the Xiaomi Mi3 is definitely worth a try.