Lava Play Ultra vs Redmi 3S
The Lava Play Ultra (2025) runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 7300, while the Redmi 3S (2016) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 430; launch prices were $175 and $120. By overall MobileRank rating, the Lava Play Ultra leads — 53/100 vs 21/100 (a 32-point difference). Key differences: the Lava Play Ultra has the bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 4100); the main camera is 64 MP vs 13 MP; the Lava Play Ultra is faster in AnTuTu (879,714 vs 180,440); the Lava Play Ultra has NFC for contactless payments, the Redmi 3S doesn't; the Redmi 3S is noticeably lighter (144g vs 182g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Lava Play Ultra
Redmi 3S
What makes Lava Play Ultra better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 879714 vs 180440
- Better Geekbench Single: 1011 vs 205
- Better Geekbench Multi: 2813 vs 827
- Bigger battery: 5000 vs 4100 mAh
- Better main camera: 64MP vs 13MP
- Higher refresh rate: 120Hz vs 60Hz
- Higher performance (55/100 vs 11/100)
- Better camera (39/100 vs 10/100)
- Longer battery life (46/100 vs 35/100)
- Better display (79/100 vs 32/100)
What makes Redmi 3S better?
- Lighter: 144g vs 182g
- Cheaper at launch: $120 vs $175
- Better portability (78/100 vs 71/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Lava Play Ultra vs the Redmi 3S, the Lava Play Ultra scores 32 points higher (53/100 vs 21/100). In the "performance" category, the Lava Play Ultra leads (55/100 vs 11/100). In the "camera" category, the Lava Play Ultra leads (39/100 vs 10/100). In the "battery" category, the Lava Play Ultra leads (46/100 vs 35/100). Value score: Lava Play Ultra — 74/100, Redmi 3S — 24/100; it shows how far a model sits above or below the usual level for its price, and is not part of the overall rating. In the "performance" category, the Lava Play Ultra significantly outperforms the Redmi 3S (55/100 vs 11/100). In the "display" category, the Lava Play Ultra significantly outperforms the Redmi 3S (79/100 vs 32/100). In the "camera" category, the Lava Play Ultra notably outperforms the Redmi 3S (39/100 vs 10/100). In the "battery" category, the Lava Play Ultra is a bit better (46/100 vs 35/100). In the "portability" category, the Redmi 3S is a bit better (78/100 vs 71/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Lava Play Ultra | Redmi 3S | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 7300 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 | |
| AnTuTu | 879714 | 180440 | |
| Geekbench Single | 1011 | 205 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 2813 | 827 | |
| Display | 6.7" AMOLED | 5.0" IPS LCD | |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | — | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 60 Hz | |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | 4100 mAh | |
| Charging | 33W | — | |
| Main camera | 64 MP | 13 MP | |
| Front camera | 13 MP | 5 MP | |
| RAM | 6GB / 8GB | 2GB / 3GB | |
| Storage | 128GB | 16GB / 32GB | |
| OS | Android 15 | — | |
| Brightness (peak) | 1000 nits | — | |
| NFC | yes | no | |
| Protection | IP64 | — | |
| Dimensions | 162.1×75.4×7.8 mm | 139.3×69.6×8.5 mm | |
| Weight | 182 g | 144 g | |
| Launch price | $175 | $120 |
Camera comparison
Lava Play Ultra
- Main: 64MP
- Front: 13MP
Redmi 3S
- Main: 13MP
- Front: 5MP
Display comparison
Lava Play Ultra
- 6.7" AMOLED
- Resolution: 1080x2400
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Redmi 3S
- 5.0" IPS LCD
- Refresh rate: 60 Hz
Battery and charging
Lava Play Ultra
- 5000 mAh
- Wired: 33W
- No wireless charging
Redmi 3S
- 4100 mAh
- Wireless charging: no data
Overall performance score
We compared Lava Play Ultra and Redmi 3S, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Lava Play Ultra leads Redmi 3S by 387.5% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $55. Redmi 3S was $55 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Lava Play Ultra significantly outperforms the Redmi 3S (55/100 vs 11/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Lava Play Ultra significantly outperforms the Redmi 3S (79/100 vs 32/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Lava Play Ultra notably outperforms the Redmi 3S (39/100 vs 10/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Lava Play Ultra is a bit better (46/100 vs 35/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Redmi 3S is a bit better (78/100 vs 71/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Lava Play Ultra or the Redmi 3S?
The Lava Play Ultra significantly outperforms the Redmi 3S by 32 points (53/100 vs 21/100).
What is the rating of the Lava Play Ultra and the Redmi 3S?
The Lava Play Ultra has a MobileRank rating of 53/100, the Redmi 3S — 21/100.
Which has the better camera: the Lava Play Ultra or the Redmi 3S?
The Lava Play Ultra leads on camera score (39/100 vs 10/100).
Which is more powerful: the Lava Play Ultra or the Redmi 3S?
The Lava Play Ultra leads on performance (55/100 vs 11/100).
Should you choose the Lava Play Ultra over the Redmi 3S?
Neither model stands out enough to recommend it for a specific use case: the clearest difference is display — better on the Lava Play Ultra (79/100 vs 32/100).