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Taking \'stock\' of the situation

Xiaomi\'s Mi A3 taps stock Android, to bring UI sanity to smart phones.

A lot of brands have genuinely impressed us with imaginative User Interface (UI) enhancements that make lives easier. Some have also gone overboard and flooded us with enhancements that are pointless, make us feel dumb as human beings, and sometimes downright bizarre. In order to regain sanity in such a scenario, Google introduced Android One, providing the purest version Android and Xiaomi has been a front runner in this programme by collaborating with Google and creating the 'A' series of smart phones. Its latest number, the Mi A3 is the best Android device in recent times.

With a 48MP back camera, coupled with an 8MP ultra-wide and 2MP depth sensor, the MI A3 also features a 32MP selfie camera with large pixel size for better low-light photography. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 chipset, a 4030mAh battery, Android Pie out of the box, and a 6.08 inches Super AMOLED display, Xiaomi, with the A3, has created a monster compared to its predecessor. With sensible enhancements like Corning Gorilla Glass protection on the front, back, as well as the camera module, the Mi A3 is splash proof as well and comes with a 7th generation in-screen fingerprint scanner.

Built with a glass sandwich design, the device features a dynamic lighting effect, that is shiny but not overtly so. It has good feel and can be used easily with one-hand. Available in blue, white and grey, the MI A3 is priced at Rs 12,999 (4GB + 64GB) and Rs 15,999 (6GB + 128GB) respectively. For this price, it is a steal for those that appreciate an OS in its purest form, with aesthetic design and sensible innovations.

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