Xiaomi has been surprisingly prolific in recent years. The number of models is growing by leaps and bounds, and the difference between them is not always obvious to the buyer. And it’s easy for a person who follows new products to get confused in a jumble of numbers and letter indices.
Artificially inflated the lineup the Chinese company is somewhat reminiscent of the menu of a fast food chain. It seems to have a bunch of names of burgers and rolls. But in fact, everywhere there are approximately the same ingredients with a set of typical sauces and seasonings. Add a strip of cheese to the hamburger and you get a cheeseburger. Replace the bun with lavash and you'll get a roll. Let's take a fresh cucumber instead of a pickled one - and here we have a special seasonal offer called “Spring Sandwich”. On the one hand, all the dishes are very similar to each other and there is no need to talk about any unique cuisine. On the other hand, you can take anything without fear; everywhere you will find more or less familiar taste, standard quality and the expected price.
Specifications
- Class: smartphone
- Case materials: metal, plastic
- Operating system: Google Android 6.0.1, MIUI 8.2
- Network: two SIM cards, GSM/HSPA/LTE
- Processor: 8 cores, Qualcomm Snapdragon 435 MSM8940
- Graphics accelerator: Adreno 505
- RAM: 2/3 GB
- Interfaces: Wi-Fi 801.11 b/g/n 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth 4.1, IRDA, microUSB connector for charging/sync, 3.5 mm headset
- Screen: capacitive, IPS 5"" with a resolution of 720x1280 pixels
- Camera: 13 MP (f/2.0) and PDAF support + 5 MP, flash
- Navigation: GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou
- Additionally: proximity and lighting sensors, compass, FM radio
- Battery: non-removable, lithium polymer (Li-Pol) capacity 4100 mAh
- Dimensions: 139.24 mm x 69.96 mm x 8.65 mm
- Weight: 146 g
Contents of delivery
- Smartphone
- Micro-USB cable
- USB adapter for 220V network
- Metal sim card injector
Design
Externally, the device is a typical representative Xiaomi lines Redmi. The design is very calm, one might even say ordinary. There are three colors in total: gold, black and pink. The latter is not yet available in our country.
The designers of the Chinese company clearly tried to make a universal device that would not cause rejection in anyone. Thin frames, smooth body contours, fashionable 2.5D glass, the use of metal - a standard gentleman's set with a minimum of bright details.
They went a little overboard for my taste. The smartphone turned out to be faceless and lacks any recognizable features. For comparison, you can take the devices of one of Xiaomi’s main competitors – Meizu. In general, the design is very similar, but thanks to a couple of touches, such as the camera design and the branded button under the screen, the devices look more original and interesting.
The location of the control elements is standard. Most of the front surface of the smartphone is occupied by the screen. Above it are visible a neat speaker grille and a front camera eye. Light and proximity sensors are hidden somewhere nearby, but they are not so easy to see.
Below the screen there is a block of familiar touch keys: “Task Manager”, “Home” and “Back”. On a black device, it is almost impossible to see the gray icons of the buttons, and they traditionally saved on the backlight. Once upon a time, the company used special reflective paint for this, but there is nothing like that here. Below the Home button there is an indicator for missed notifications.
On the left edge there is a combined tray: one slot for microSIM, the other for nanoSIM or microSD. On the right is the power button and volume rocker.
The upper end is occupied infrared port, a tiny auxiliary microphone hole and a 3.5mm audio jack. The bottom end is reserved for symmetrical speaker and microphone grilles, between which there is a miniUSB connector.
The back of the smartphone is metal, with plastic inserts on top and bottom. In the left top corner The main camera and flash are located. Below is a round fingerprint scanner, below it is the company logo, which practically blends into the black background.
Thanks to the absence of sharp edges, the smartphone fits comfortably in the hand. The volume keys and fingerprint sensor are right under your fingers. The build quality does not raise any questions; there are no creaks or backlashes in my sample. The buttons are moderately tight, the fingerprint scanner works quickly and without errors.
Display
The smartphone has an IPS screen with a diagonal of 5” and a resolution of 1280x720. It is made using OGS technology, that is, without an air gap. For a budget model, the quality of the matrix is decent: uniform illumination, deep (by IPS standards) black color and the absence of foreign impurities in white. Viewing angles are good, although the image gets a little dark when the screen is tilted too far. You can blame Xiaomi for the lack of FullHD resolution in the device, but given its price, this can hardly be called a disadvantage.
There is enough brightness reserve for working in the sun, even if it is back to back. The minimum level of backlight allows you to comfortably use the device in the dark.
If desired, the display temperature can be changed in the smartphone settings. Although, in my opinion, there is not much point in this, “out of the box” everything is almost perfect.
Multi-touch support – up to 10 simultaneous touches. There is an oleophobic coating.
Camera
The smartphone has a 13 MP CMOS camera with f/2.0 aperture and PDAF support.
As expected, the camera doesn’t have enough stars in the sky, but for a budget device the photo quality is not bad. Of course, in difficult conditions (evening time, artificial light) getting a good photo is not at all as easy as we would like. And sometimes the camera goes a little overboard with noise reduction. But in general, it doesn’t have a single serious flaw: autofocus works quickly and accurately, the white balance is correct in most situations, the photos are moderately sharp and contrasty.
You can evaluate the quality of the camera using the test shots below. I would like to note that the weather Lately it was disgusting and the photos were taken in cloudy days. That is, the shooting conditions were initially very far from ideal.
| Ordinary | HDR |
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Record video up to 1080p at 30 frames per second.
The camera interface is simple, but at the same time convenient. On the one hand, it is not overloaded with unnecessary elements. On the other hand, everything you need is always at hand. The only thing I can criticize is the manual mode, which allows you to adjust only the white balance and ISO value.
Sound
The bear managed to stomp on my ears, so I won’t undertake to seriously evaluate the sound quality. Subjectively, the sound is standard in the good sense of the word - the sound is clear, but without any striking features. Perhaps the low frequencies are just a little lacking. Overall, the Redmi 4X should suit most users regardless of their preferred music genres.
Among the software features, it is worth noting the presence of an equalizer and sound optimization modes for specific headphones (mostly branded ones). By the way, no plugs are included in the kit.
Wireless interfaces
The main wireless interfaces are Wi-Fi 801.11 b/g/n 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth 4.1. There is no NFC in the smartphone, but there is an infrared port. Supported communication standards: GSM 900/1800/1900, 3G, 4G LTE, LTE-A Cat. 4. There are no complaints about the quality of communication.
If we talk about navigation, the device works with all three systems: GPS, GLONASS and Chinese BeiDou. It searches for satellites quickly and does not lose connection while moving.
Performance
Redmi 4X – classic “ workhorse", not so far removed from the regular Redmi 4. It’s unlikely that you’ll be able to play the latest games at maximum settings, but for everyday tasks the power is enough for the eyes.
The heart of the device is an eight-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 435 processor with a frequency of 1.4 GHz. Graphics accelerator – Adreno 505. Volume random access memory– from 2 to 3 GB depending on the model (I tested a device with 3 GB of memory).
You can independently evaluate the performance of your smartphone using benchmark screenshots:
Autonomous operation
Time battery life– one of the strengths of Redmi 4X. Let's not talk about any records, the indicators are very respectable. This is partly due to the 4,100 mAh battery, and partly to the optimization of the shell and screen resolution.
Data declared by the manufacturer:
- 36 hours talk time
- 15 hours video playback
- 13 hours of games
- 18 days in 4G mode
- 15 hours GPS navigation
In reality, at maximum screen brightness, the result was like this:
Bottom line: The smartphone worked for 15 hours, after which it still had 60% charge left. The total screen time is 4 hours.
It is worth noting that, if desired, you can extract even more from your smartphone. Firstly, thanks to the energy saving mode. Secondly, using a proprietary utility that monitors overly “gluttonous” applications.
The only fly in the ointment is the lack of fast charging.
Software
The smartphone runs on Android with the proprietary MIUI shell. The latter is one of the striking features of Xiaomi Redmi 4X. And if experienced users know perfectly well what to expect from it, then for beginners MIUI may come as a surprise. And it’s not a fact that it’s pleasant.
The thing is that it differs in many respects from Android interface. Many years ago, Xiaomi developers decided to create an ideal shell that combines the best features of the iOS and Android interfaces. And since then they have continued to go their own way, slowly adapting to Google’s decisions. Among branded skins, this is one of the most serious reworkings of the “green robot”, and new users may be confused by this.
A lock screen that erases all notifications after the first unlock of the smartphone. Miniature status bar with a minimum of icons. A list of notifications from which it is never clear whether it fits entirely on the screen or not. And the notification cards themselves, which are either grouped by type or displayed one at a time. The concept of a workspace where there is no place for an application menu. A clock in the corner of the screen that appears and disappears depending on the widgets placed on the desktop. It seems like all these are little things, especially since many of them can be adjusted in the smartphone settings. But there are many such little things, and if you’re not used to them, they can be very puzzling.
I will not dwell in detail on the MIUI shell in this article. In the near future, a full review of it will appear on the site, a link to which will be added below.
The PCT device has services out of the box Google Play. The translation into Russian is not bad, although there are some flaws (“Application Lock”, “ Tariff plan forSI..."). If you order a smartphone from China, this may be more difficult.
One of the problems during operation is a single case of spontaneous reboot of the smartphone. Otherwise, everything worked without any glitches or freezes.
Results
In the budget segment, Xiaomi smartphones have become a kind of standard, a reference value. Or, if you like, a starting point. True, they usually keep in mind the prices of devices in China, which are noticeably lower than the PCT.
If we consider PCT devices, then Redmi 4X is a strong middling device with a good price/quality ratio and without any obvious flaws. It's a classic workhorse that's a little boring but gets the job done.
There are many competitors in this price segment, and the choice between them is largely a matter of taste. The first thing that comes to my mind is the Meizu M3s Mini. At one time it was one of the most balanced budget smartphones, but by now it is slightly outdated. This is especially noticeable in terms of the OS version - for now the device runs on Android 5.1, although an update to the “six” is planned. If this confuses you, you can pay attention to the Meizu M5 - almost everything is the same, only the screen diagonal is larger. The difference between these smartphones and the Redmi 4X lies not so much in the choice of hardware, but in ideology. Meizu devices have a different shell and a single multifunction key instead of the usual block touch buttons.
For those who are tired of “premium Chinese”, it makes sense to look away ASUS Zenfone 3 Max. Slightly higher cost, slightly larger screen, slightly different hardware. But a subjectively better design, convincing battery life, latest version The OS (the update to “seven” arrived just the other day), a very pleasant (and much closer to “pure” Android) proprietary shell and a famous brand.
It has already become a good tradition for Xiaomi to delight its fans with the latest achievements of engineering. This rule applies not only to the premium line, but also to representatives of the budget series. It's time to get acquainted with the phablet called Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X Pro, which is an improved version of the previous model. How different is the gadget presented to us from its predecessor? Let's try to figure it out together.
Brief characteristics
We study the packaging and accessories
A distinctive feature of the brand is attention and care for users, so it packages products in a durable box with a minimalist design that can withstand heavy mechanical loads, thereby keeping the gadget intact.
Inside the box are the devices necessary for operation - we are talking about a “clip” for a SIM card, a charger, a microUSB cable and a package of documents. Everything is packed neatly and securely.
Elegant appearance
The company has decisively abandoned the use of plastic, preferring durable and damage-resistant aluminum. Despite the almost complete absence of plastic elements (they remain only on the upper and lower ends for the antennas), the phablet can hardly be called heavy and inconvenient. Its weight is almost not felt, as it is evenly distributed throughout the entire body.
If you compare it with other models in the line, it becomes clear why the edges of the device were as rounded as possible. You won't have to experience that feeling when a sharp edge digs into your hand, causing noticeable discomfort. Now everything is the other way around - slightly rounded shapes provide a high level of comfort in use.
The camera located on the back cover does not protrude beyond its limits at all, so its lens does not get scratched. There is also a fingerprint scanner nearby, which can instantly and accurately recognize the slightest touch.
The IR port and headphone jack are presented in a classic design - they are located on the top. This arrangement ensures that the cord from the headset will not bend excessively or become tangled, and the infrared sensor will act specifically on the desired object.
Once you pick up the device, you can immediately feel the excellent build quality. Backlash? Creaking? Rattling? No, the Xiaomi device is completely unfamiliar with this. The monolithic design looks solid and elegant at the same time, and the well-thought-out arrangement of buttons and outputs does not violate the minimalist concept.
The designers managed to achieve a lot: in addition to the usual colors, they managed to create a number of shades that are difficult to find analogues in the world of modern gadgets. Rose Gold/Pink literally emanates romance and tenderness, Hatsune Miku Exclusive (Green) resembles the surface of the sea in the rays of the sun, and Blue takes our thoughts to a surprisingly clean and clear sky.
The model line also includes classic options, including black, gold and gray. For a harmonious appearance, the dark front panel is available only in black and gray models, and in all others it is made in snow-white color.
Excellent color rendition on the screen in any conditions
IN Xiaomi review We cannot ignore the high-quality IPS screen of Redmi Note 4X Pro, which has a unique ability: even if you change its angle, the brightness and contrast of the image will remain at the same level. You won't see the slightest glare on it, so using it in the sun will be a real pleasure.
This became possible due to the fact that there is no air gap between the glass and the matrix. Just imagine: a rich and natural picture in the dazzling rays of the sun - what could be more beautiful... And if you add to this a good oleophobic coating, the dirt from which can be easily removed, then there will be no complaints about the device’s screen.
The smartphone is able to instantly adapt to current lighting conditions, for example, indoors it will automatically reduce the brightness, thereby reducing energy consumption. Play with various modes screen operation and text display, select the warmth of the color tone and adjust the contrast according to your preferences!
Productivity reimagined
Surely everyone is interested in the answer to the question: what is hidden behind the “Pro” prefix? We are ready to reveal a secret - it means the presence of a different version of the processor. We are talking about MediaTek Helio X20 with a 3-cluster architecture and 10 computing cores. It is attractive because it can effectively distribute tasks to optimize performance and increase battery life.
To understand the principle of its operation, imagine: to perform simple tasks, for example, sending SMS, one cluster works, for more complex activities another is used. If you decide to heavily load the device, then three clusters will begin to operate at once. This saves battery energy, which means you have to charge the phablet much less often.
If we test Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X Pro using AnTuTu, it turns out that it scores more than 93,000 points, which is almost 13,000 more than the 8-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 625. By the way, a blue model of the smartphone was also released, where the company replaced MediaTek on Snapdragon 625.
Lasts really long
We have already figured out that the processor is great at saving energy consumption, and now let's move on to the battery itself. Its capacity remains the same - 4100 mAh, so with a standard load, without frills, it will last for about 2 days.
Otherwise, when the gadget is subjected to intensive use in the form of watching movies, games, searching the Internet, it will be able to last significantly less - on average 12 hours. These are excellent indicators, because you will have to charge the device in the morning, and then throughout the day you will not have to worry about the battery running out at the wrong time.
What about the photomodule?
We hasten to please those who do not want to acquire a separate camera, but rely on the capabilities of their smartphone. A 13-megapixel camera with a Sony IMX 258 module and phase detection autofocus is quite enough to take decent photos.
Of course, they are difficult to compare with the results of a professional camera, but in good lighting conditions the result of the shooting should satisfy you. In the dark, noise may appear if you do not use a dual-tone flash. When activated, graininess and background blur disappear, and the picture turns out quite clear.
If you like to choose your own settings to achieve perfect photos, then the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X Pro is not for you. The fact is that it does not have many of the usual settings; only the built-in beautifier (improver), panorama and scene selection are available.
For the front camera, the manufacturer chose a different module – Samsung S5K5E8, which produces a resolution of 5 megapixels. Its capabilities are enough to take a cool selfie, as well as determine whether you are a man or a woman. Depending on the result, the device will make a number of adjustments to make your portrait look even more beautiful.
Much-needed wireless technology
The device interacts well with satellites, including GPS, Glonass, Beidu, and many others. Provides the ability to connect to wireless internet. It also supports LTE and Wi-Fi connectivity on 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies.
Surprise and surprise again - this phrase can be safely taken as a slogan Chinese brand, since even in a budget phablet they managed to place a lot of pleasant and useful functions. Engineers have found a way to increase the response speed (0.3 ms) and accuracy of the fingerprint sensor. Be sure that it will respond specifically to your fingerprint, thereby ensuring the confidentiality of information.
Are you still using bulky remotes? remote control? In fact, you no longer need them - the infrared port will do an excellent job as a remote control. All home appliances controlled using infrared radiation will be under your control.
Operating system: what's new?
The gadget operates on the Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow operating system. By default, MIUI 8 firmware is installed, but after purchase the user can update it to the ninth version.
Pros and cons of the model
About what is still worth purchasing this version device from Xiaomi, evidenced by such facts as:
- Long-term work in offline mode;
- Great screen;
- Durable aluminum housing;
- Proven build quality;
- Powerful and efficient processor.
What are the disadvantages? There are very few of them: the lack of optical stabilization in the camera and a noticeable black frame on a white background.
It's time to conclude
If you are not ready to spend a large sum on purchasing products from world-famous giants, but are eager to become the owner of a multifunctional device, then Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X Pro will be the right decision. It will never let you down, because its build quality is traditionally at an excellent level. The device instantly responds to your commands, does not freeze, does not heat up, and solves several complex problems at once. This cool smartphone for both work and play.
Chinese manufacturer Xiaomi, which appeared on the Russian market in 2016, has updated its line of smartphones in an affordable price category. The new model, belonging to the fourth generation, is called Xiaomi RedMi 4X.
Contents of delivery
The new product is delivered in traditional white cardboard packaging. The lid has a large embossed 4X logo. Inside there are: a smartphone wrapped in film, a plug-in charger, a USB-microUSB cable, a metal key-clip for the combined SIM card tray and documentation. Headphones are not included in the package. All accessories are tightly packed in the box and do not dangle when shaken.
Appearance and ergonomics
The Xiaomi RedMi 4X smartphone is available in three colors: gold, pink and black. The front panel is covered with tempered 2.5D glass with an oleophobic coating. The back cover is made of metal alloy. There are plastic inserts at the top and bottom that cover the communication antennas. In the black model they are almost invisible. In phones of other colors, they are made of darker material and look quite contrasting.
The power off button and a combined sound volume control key are located on the right side. On the left there is a hybrid tray for SIM and SD cards. The bottom end of the device is equipped with speaker grilles and a microUSB socket for connecting charger. On the top, there is a 3.5 mm stereo headphone jack, an infrared sensor and a noise reduction microphone.
Under the glass covering the front panel, in the lower part, there are touch control buttons, the central one is combined with a notification light indicator. At the top, in the middle, there is a speaker, and at the edges of it, the front camera lens and the light sensor.
The back panel is equipped with a fingerprint scanner, slightly recessed into the body. The top plastic flap houses the main camera lens and a single-color LED flash.
Due to the smooth rounding of the edges and slight roughness of the material back cover, the device fits comfortably in your hand. The controls are located so as to exclude the possibility of accidental pressing, but allow you to operate the device with one hand.
Characteristics
The smartphone is equipped with a single-chip, eight-core processor, Qualcomm Snapdragon 435, operating at frequencies of 1.1-1.4 GHz and GPU Adreno 505. The amount of RAM and internal memory depends on the modification and is, respectively: 2/16, 3/32 or 4/ 64 GB. Expandability is provided through the use of external SD cards up to 128 GB.
Combination SIM card slot. Allows you to use nano and microSIM or microSIM and SD card simultaneously.
IN mobile phone A non-removable battery with a capacity of 4100 mAh is installed. There is an energy saving mode with flexible settings that allow you to turn it on according to a schedule or when a certain battery charge is reached. The smartphone does not support fast and remote charging functions. The battery charges from 0 to 100% in just under three hours. Operating time obtained during testing:
- continuous music playback – more than a day;
- surfing using mobile network≈ 13 hours;
- HD video playback ≈ 14 hours.
Autonomy allows you to fully use Redmi 4X during daylight hours, without additional recharging.
The dimensions of the device, with a thickness of 8.7 mm, are 13.9x7 cm, and the weight is 150 grams.
The technical characteristics of the electronic components allow the Xiaomi smartphone to confidently perform in heavy games and cope with everyday tasks. In synthetic tests, the junior model produced the following results:
- AnTuTu Benchmark – 43200 points;
- GeekBench 4 – 2060 points in multi-core mode;
Communications
The smartphone works in cellular networks of all generations. Supported LTE frequencies, used by Russian telecom operators and VoLTE technology. The device has one radio module installed, so only one SIM card is active in voice communication mode. Incoming call, received during a conversation, is not accepted by the second one, and the caller receives a notification that the subscriber is unavailable.
There are options for speed dialing and automatic recording of a conversation with a subscriber.
The Bluetooth module operates according to the 4.2 standard, supporting Low Energy mode. To transmit data via Wi-Fi, a frequency of 2.4 GHz is used, according to 802.11 b/g/n standards. The device does not support fast 5GHz networks.
For positioning on the ground, the smartphone can interact with the Russian GLONASS network, the Chinese Beidou and GPS.
There is no NFC chip in the device, therefore, despite the presence of a fingerprint sensor, Android Pay will not be available to users.
Display and cameras
The display of the smartphone is represented by a TFT matrix with a diagonal of 5 inches. Screen resolution is 1280x720, pixel density is 294 ppi. The display module is made using OGS technology, which eliminates the air gap between the matrix and the protective glass.
Color calibration is done well. According to the testing results, the color range is within the reference boundaries of the RGB triangle. The brightness reserve allows you to comfortably use the smartphone in direct sunlight. The display provides good viewing angles, with slight dimming of the far edge at maximum angles.
The device is equipped with two cameras. The front one has a resolution of 5 megapixels, with a fixed focus, which is enough for taking selfies and transmitting high-quality images during a video call. The main camera has a 13 megapixel matrix with autofocus. Dynamic stabilization mode is not provided in both modules. The manual setting mode allows you to change only the white balance and adjust the light sensitivity. The aspect ratio is set to 3x4 or 16x9. The photo quality is adjusted by presets such as low, normal and high.
Video shooting can be performed in FullHD mode. The H.264 codec is responsible for image compression. The sound is written in AAC format. The lack of dynamic stabilization only affects the quality when shooting in motion. Video recording performed at rest is distortion-free, and the noise reduction system works satisfactorily.
Multimedia
The lack of headphones included in the package is compensated by the ability to customize the sound profile to the type selected for use with the device. The sound quality of musical compositions using the headset is satisfactory. Low and high tones are rich and clearly distinguishable. When playing tracks through the device speaker low frequencies are cut off and the sound turns out to be too loud. IN normal mode use when a speaker is needed to indicate incoming call, it's practically unnoticeable.
The smartphone can be used in FM radio mode. The role of the antenna is traditionally played by connected headphones. The voice recorder, due to its high-quality noise suppression system, allows you to record sounds both indoors and in open areas with good quality.
Playing movies using the built-in player revealed the absence of the AC3 audio codec. An audio track recorded in this format is not recognized by the smartphone. Video compressed with H.264 and 265 codecs is played without delays or lags. The standard codec for playing audio tracks is AAC.
operating system
Redmi 4X works under operating control Android systems 6.0.1. Marshmallow. Smartphones officially supplied to Russia have global version MIUI 8 shells with preinstalled Google services. The interface is completely in Russian, the translation is done with high quality, without “blunders” and does not cause any complaints. Successfully combining the strengths of Google and Apple developments, it is considered one of the best for Android smartphones.
Xiaomi plans to further update the operating system used in Redmi 4X to version 7.1, bypassing Android 7.0.
Cons and pros
Comprehensive testing of the device and user reviews made it possible to determine its strengths and weak sides. Let's start with the disadvantages:
- The contact list does not have a quick search in Russian letters; the standard one is displayed on the right address book Latin
- Low vibration on silent call.
- Plastic overlays that stand out in tone in light models.
- Lack of NFC module.
- There is no backlighting of the touch control buttons.
As you can see, the shortcomings are not critical and relate to subjective perception.
Compact size, fingerprint sensor
Minuses
Horribly intrusive MI account system
Review
The model is outdated, but its compact size forces you to buy this particular phone. There are marks on the black case, this can be seen in my photo. I also want to draw attention to the very intrusive synchronization of the Mi account. A reminder constantly appears that “let's synchronize with the MI account,” while everything is synchronized with Google ten times. When transferring from the previous Android, half of the programs, unfortunately, lost all information about logins, passwords and settings. This is very inconvenient, but I think this situation applies to all Androids. You can make a copy of the system for a full backup only through TPRW. This is quite labor-intensive and time-consuming, but possible. The tendency of manufacturers is to make a combined SIM card slot, which forces you to choose either a second SIM card or a flash drive. This mess. I would be willing to pay extra money to have a separate slot for a flash drive, but alas, the manufacturer does not do this. Good luck to all!
The smartphone market today has changed so much that most buyers no longer need to buy an expensive model, even if they have quite serious requirements for technical specifications. Just remember how, relatively recently, whole lots were “scattered”, although this is just an inexpensive state employee. Now our attention is drawn to the fourth generation of smartphones in this line, namely the Xiaomi Redmi 4X.
Equipment
The Xiaomi Redmi 4X package is exactly the same as all the company’s smartphones – the same small cardboard packaging, but of high quality, which reliably protects the smartphone during transportation. Additionally, the box is sealed with plastic film so that no one can look inside.
The cover of the box indicates the smartphone model and memory capacity, and the sides contain the Mi logo indicating the model. There is a little more information on the bottom side of the package - there is a sticker with a description and characteristics.
The smartphone itself is located immediately under the lid of the box on a cardboard stand, covered on all sides with protective film. To get a smartphone, you don’t need to turn the box over. There is a special tab - you need to pull it and you can immediately pick up the phone.
Xiaomi Redmi 4X comes with a simple set of accessories, all of which are fixed in the box and do not dangle:
- Charger;
- USB-microUSB lanyard;
- documentation and warranty card;
- SIM card tray ejector.
Design
The design of the smartphone is not much different in appearance from other Xiaomi models. This is a familiar candy bar with a large screen, but the back is metal with plastic inserts. The front panel is additionally protected by tempered glass. In general, there are no complaints about the Xiaomi Redmi 4X - the assembly is high-quality, there is no play, the materials are of high quality.
The frames around the screen are not the thinnest, but due to the rounded glass we do not pay attention to this. The glass also has an oleophobic coating that helps resist fingerprints and smudges.
At the top end there is a 3.5 mm headphone jack, an IR port and a second additional microphone for noise reduction.
Above the display there is a front camera, a speaker, as well as light and proximity sensors.
The notification LED has been moved to the bottom of the panel, under the Home button. In addition to it, there are two other traditional touch keys. All of them are highlighted in silver.
At the bottom of the case there is a conversational microphone with the main speaker, as well as a microUSB port.
The same standard arrangement of keys is on the side right side - here we see the power button and volume rocker.
On the other side there is a connector for SIM cards and microSD.
The back panel is not solid - the central part is metal with plastic inserts at the top and bottom. At the same time, the color difference between these elements is very noticeable.
The main camera module is located in the upper left corner of the cover. Next to it there is a single LED flash. The fingerprint scanner is installed in the center of the body. There is also a Mi logo and a sticker with model identifiers at the bottom.
Models available in the market are black, pink and gold.
Display
The Redmi 4X screen can easily be called typical for inexpensive smartphones - the resolution is only 1280 x 720 pixels (294 ppi). As a result, we get not the best detail in the picture, but still for a budget employee this is not so bad. The display is equipped IPS matrix with OGS technology - when there is no air gap between the matrix and glass.
The screen supports up to 10 touches simultaneously.
As for the image quality, this matrix is not bad - at large angles the picture is visible, but there is a noticeable darkening. The Xiaomi Redmi 4X screen has uniform backlighting, natural color reproduction, without blue or yellow tint.
The display has sufficient backlight brightness so that you can use the smartphone outdoors in bright sunlight. The minimum level is also comfortable for reading at night.
If you are not satisfied with the color rendition of the Redmi 4X screen, then in the settings you can adjust it and select the mode you like.
Performance
Xiaomi Redmi 4x phone on an inexpensive eight-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 435 processor with a frequency of 1.4 GHz and graphics accelerator Adreno 505. So this model is not very different from the original Redmi 4. Initially, two modifications of the smartphone were released with 2 and 3 GB of RAM, but two months later, in May 2017, the Xiaomi Redmi 4x 4 GB version appeared with internal memory with a capacity of 64 GB.
The younger model shows the following results:
- Geekbench 3 – 690/2954 points;
- AnTuTu – 42900 points.
Even these results clearly indicate that the Redmi 4X is not far behind the Redmi 4. These are not record figures for a budget device, but they are quite sufficient to safely expect good performance from it in daily tasks. The only thing that can upset those who like to play on a smartphone is that heavy 3D games will have to be run on minimum settings.
Heating is also noticeable under heavy load, but the heat spreads evenly across the metal back cover.
Technical specifications of Xiaomi Redmi 4x
 | ||
| 42900 | ||
| Xiaomi Santoni | ||
| Announcement date | 2017, March | |
| Network support | GSM/CDMA/HSPA/EVDO/LTE | |
| - 2G | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 and SIM 2 | |
| - 3G | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | |
| - 4G | LTE band 1(2100), 3(1800), 5(850), 7(2600), 8(900), 38(2600), 39(1900), 40(2300), 41(2500) | |
| Bluetooth | v4.2, A2DP, LE | |
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, access point | |
| Dimensions | 139.2 x 70 x 8.7 mm (5.48 x 2.76 x 0.34 inches) | |
| Weight | 150 g (5.29 oz) | |
| Accumulator battery | Non-removable, Li-Po 4100 mAh | |
| Display | (~70.7% of the smartphone surface) | |
| - permission | 720 x 1280 pixels (~294 ppi) | |
| CPU | Qualcomm MSM8940 Snapdragon 435 | |
| - CPU frequency | Octa-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 | |
| - graphic arts | Adreno 505 | |
| Memory | 16 GB, 2 GB RAM; 32 GB, 3 RAM; 64 GB, 4 RAM | |
| USB | microUSB v2.0 | |
| Camera | ||
| - main | 13 MP, f/2.0, phase detection autofocus, LED flash | |
| - frontal | 5 MP, f/2.2, 1080p | |
| operating system | Android OS, v6.0.1 (Marshmallow) |
operating system
Xiaomi Redmi 4X is equipped with MIUI 8 firmware based on Android 6.0.
Initially official firmware The Chinese version is installed here, but if you wish, you can update your smartphone to a global one.
ABOUT MIUI firmware You can learn separately from the article:
Camera
A 13-megapixel main camera and a 5-megapixel front camera were installed here.
When comparing Redmi 4X and Redmi 4 there are no differences. Obviously, the smartphones received identical modules. So don't expect 4X photos High Quality in low light. The pictures will only turn out good if there is good lighting during the day.
Battery
Capacity battery in the smartphone is 4100 mAh.
When tested in Geekbench, the smartphone lasted almost 17 hours, which is slightly worse than the Redmi 4. Interestingly, in AnTuTu Tester the picture is the opposite - the performance of our review hero turned out to be better. Apparently Xiaomi decided to specifically improve the parameters of Redmi 4 so that the model would be a little better in comparison, and therefore more attractive, justifying the higher price.
During testing, the smartphone shows the following results:
- at maximum load– 6.5 hours;
- when playing video with HD quality – 14.5 hours;
- when playing music with the display turned off - more than a day;
- when surfing the web – 13 hours.
To fully charge the battery, you will have to wait about 3 hours using the standard charger included in the kit.
Video – Review of Xiaomi Redmi 4x
Results
pros
- inexpensive;
- high-quality assembly;
- high-quality display;
- fast and accurate fingerprint scanner;
- long battery life.
minuses
- weak camera at night and in twilight.
Xiaomi Redmi 4X is an example of an inexpensive, balanced smartphone that honestly outperforms its predecessor in all respects. In fact, it's practically Redmi 4, but with minor differences.
For a budget employee, it has a very high-quality body and equally high-quality sound.
