Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X is an updated version of the fourth generation of affordable phablets from the Redmi Note family, which includes devices that offer an optimal price-quality ratio. After all, as you know, to ensure the competitiveness of the Redmi line, Xiaomi maintains minimum prices for smartphones that are not inferior in quality, design and characteristics to more expensive devices from others manufacturers.
From predecessor Redmi Note 4X It features an updated hardware platform: instead of Helio X20, the smartphone uses SoC Snapdragon 625. In addition, the manufacturer has expanded the model range with a modification that is attractive at an even lower cost, with minimal differences in characteristics. At the start of sales, Redmi Note 4X became the most affordable smartphone based on Snapdragon 625, and subsequently took pride of place in the list of best-selling Xiaomi smartphones in 2017.
Contents of delivery
Redmi Note 4X comes in a regular rectangular cardboard box. Inside the package there is the usual minimum configuration, which includes:
- power adapter (usually without an adapter for European sockets);
- USB cable;
- SIM tray removal tool;
- manual.
Appearance
By and large, the design of the device is almost completely identical to Redmi Note 4. The exception is a few minor details: the edges of the metal panel were left unpolished chamfers, the screws on the lower edge disappeared and plastic inserts were added on the upper and lower parts of the back panels. In addition, the standard set of body colors (gray, gold and pink) has been supplemented with two variations atypical for the Redmi line - matte black and mint green.
Otherwise, there are no changes, even the additional black frames around the perimeter of the screen have not disappeared. All connectors, sensors and control elements also remained in place.
The top panel above the screen is occupied by the earpiece, LED indicator and sensors. To navigate the OS interface, there are backlit touch buttons located at the bottom of the screen.
Mechanical buttons for controlling power, locking and volume levels are placed on the side edge on the right side.
On the left side there is a combined tray for SIM/microSD. Accommodates 2 SIM cards nano and micro, or 1 SIM micro format in combination with an external memory drive.
The bottom edge is occupied by a microUSB connector (with OTG support) and holes for the speaker and microphone.
Another microphone is located on the top edge, next to the infrared transmitter and a standard headphone jack (3.5 mm).
A fingerprint sensor is used as a means of biometric information security. The scanner quickly and almost always accurately recognizes fingerprints. When shooting self-portraits, the surface of its touch panel, which is located under the rear camera module, can act as a shutter button.
Display
The device is equipped with a 5.5” IPS display, with Full HD resolution and a pixel density of 401 ppi. The screen has excellent viewing angles, transmits a clear, contrasting image with a pleasant color scheme. As with other Xiaomi smartphones, it supports the ability to independently adjust color temperature and contrast. The backlight brightness can be adjusted in the range from 1.7 to 405 cd/m2.
Under direct sunlight, the image visually becomes dimmer. However, this does not prevent further use of the device, since the screen content is still legible. The entire front panel of the smartphone is covered with protective glass, with curved edges using 2.5D technology. There is an effective grease-repellent oleophobic layer on the surface of the glass, thanks to which fingerprints are easily erased.
Hardware platform, memory
The smartphone is available in three configurations, which differ in processor and memory capacity. It is noteworthy that all of them support expansion of the built-in storage, since the manufacturer did not limit the ability to install microSD cards.
The base configuration is equipped with an 8-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 chipset, with an integrated Adreno 506 graphics accelerator. The device is equipped with a 3 GB RAM module and a 16 GB storage drive. A version with identical characteristics has also been released as part of the line, with the exception of the built-in storage capacity increased to 32 GB.
The older version is built on the 10-core MediaTek Helio X20 chipset. The processor includes 8 Cortex A53 cores and 2 high-performance Cortex A72 cores. The Mali T880 MP4 video chip is responsible for graphics processing. In addition, the configuration received increased amounts of RAM and permanent memory, up to 4 and 64 GB, respectively.
Performance
According to the results of synthetic tests, in terms of performance, the older modification with the MediaTek chipset is 20% ahead of the younger versions based on the Snapdragon 625. However, as practice shows, the difference between the performance of these devices is hardly noticeable to the user during everyday use. The power reserves of both platforms are enough to perform almost any task, be it playing high-definition video or launching a browser with a large number of open tabs.
Regardless of the processor model, Redmi Note 4X handles resource-intensive 3D games equally well. For example, in the “Performance” mode, games like Asphalt 8 and Modern Combat 4 run without problems at Ultra graphics quality settings. World of Tanks Blitz demonstrates a stable FPS level at medium settings.
You can feel the increase in performance of a configuration built on the SoC from MediaTek while working with several running applications, due to the increased amount of RAM. On the other hand, the advantage of the version with a Qualcomm processor is considered to be the almost complete absence of heating of the case under prolonged intense loads.
Cameras
The smartphone uses a 5-lens main 13-megapixel camera with f/2.0 aperture. The photo module is complemented by phase-phase PDAF autofocus and a two-color dual LED flash. The ability to record video in slow motion with a resolution of 720p at 120fps is supported. The camera's stock software limits the maximum resolution of videos recorded in normal mode to 1080p, despite hardware support for 4K video. You can bypass the restriction by installing a third-party application.
The standard camera interface has a manual settings mode, the functionality of which is limited to two parameters that allow you to adjust the ISO and white balance values. The application has built-in filters that support real-time preview of the expected result. There are also scene, night, panoramic and HDR modes. Additionally, the user can set the level of contrast and saturation of the frame.
Considering the price segment of the model, the camera demonstrates very decent results. The smartphone quickly saves pictures in both automatic and HDR modes. When shooting panoramas, frames are assembled correctly and seamlessly. Images taken in optimal lighting conditions are characterized by good color rendition, a sufficient level of sharpness, clarity and the absence of digital noise. In addition, the Redmi Note 4X takes excellent, detailed macro shots.
Photo quality is highly dependent on lighting conditions, which is typical for most mobile cameras in low-cost devices. This means that already at dusk it will not be so easy to achieve an acceptable result.
The front 5-megapixel sensor with f/2.0 aperture allows you to take portrait photos of acceptable quality in the daytime. The user has at his disposal built-in real-time filters, face recognition mode and a countdown timer.
Autonomy
Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X has excellent battery life thanks to a built-in 4100 mAh battery. A fully charged battery under normal conditions provides the ability to play HD video for 10-12 hours straight. If you limit background processes, disable all active network connections and reduce the backlight brightness as much as possible, you can achieve the 18 hours of video playback claimed by the manufacturer.
On average, with mixed use, the battery lasts for 2 days of battery life. Completely discharging a battery under extreme loads in half a day is a rather difficult task. In other words, even the most active smartphone users can be sure that the Redmi Note 4X is guaranteed to be able to work for at least a whole day, under intensive use.
In addition, the MIUI firmware has ample opportunities for setting up energy saving, using which you can achieve even better autonomy. Despite the fact that the manufacturer has not provided support for fast charging, it will take no more than 2 hours to fully replenish the energy using the included 5V/2A power supply.
Sound
The built-in multimedia speaker has more than sufficient volume and good sound quality. The speaker, as well as two microphones, even in a noisy environment, can provide good audibility during a telephone conversation.
If you use Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X as an audio player, the detail and volume of the sound in the headset will largely depend on its quality. The best results are often achieved when connecting branded headphones from Xiaomi, for which the appropriate presets are integrated into the firmware. It is also worth noting the presence of a software equalizer and support for built-in FM radio.
Software
The smartphone is initially aimed at the international market, and comes with a global multilingual version of MIUI 8 (Global Stable ROM), which is based on Android 6. However, in the fall of 2017 Redmi Note 4X was among the first devices to receive support for updating to the beta version of MIUI 9.
Xiaomi's proprietary firmware has a number of fundamental differences from the stock Android OS. In short, MIUI has an individual user interface style, with the ability to change themes, and supports tight integration with Mi Cloud, as well as advanced options for setting up various system parameters and functions, such as notifications, energy saving, and so on.
Wireless interfaces
The smartphone is compatible with mobile operators operating in 2G, 3G and 4G networks. Access to fast mobile Internet is provided through support for LTE Cat 6. Connection via Wi-Fi can be carried out in the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands, while the IEEE 802.11ac standard is not supported. The smartphone is also equipped with Bluetooth 4.2 communication protocol with HID profile. The built-in IR port allows you to use Redmi Note 4X to remotely control household appliances.
The device can work with three navigation systems: GPS (A-GPS), GLONASS and Beidou. Even in the absence of an Internet connection, the navigation module demonstrates good results in satellite search speed and location accuracy. A stable connection is maintained not only during idle time, but also while on the move.
Advantages and disadvantages Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X
Pros:
- capacious battery, excellent autonomy;
- speed at work;
- powerful platform for its class;
- good camera;
- sufficient amounts of ROM and RAM;
- high-quality display;
- Fingerprint's scanner;
- metal case and high-quality assembly;
- IrDA support;
- availability of additional color options for the case;
- flexible and customizable firmware from the manufacturer;
- great price.
Minuses:
- fast charging technology is not supported;
- no NFC module;
- The white panel reveals additional black frames around the perimeter of the display.
Review results
The appearance of the updated version can be regarded as a repeated “re-release” of Note 4. Despite the rather modest scale of changes, the improved model based on Snapdragon 625 is rapidly gained popularity, and had every chance to become the most successful and balanced representative of the family Redmi. Moreover, Note 4X It can quite deservedly be called one of the best smartphones in its class, in terms of price and quality ratio.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X may be an excellent option for users who, when choosing an affordable 5.5-inch phablet, pay special attention to the level of autonomy, stability in operation, performance, quality of shooting, as well as the prospect of further software support for the device from the outside manufacturer.
An equally important parameter of the smartphone is the price: the standard 3/32 GB version costs no more than $165. For those who want to save money, the starting model with 3/16 GB is $30 cheaper, while fans of games and heavy applications will need to pay an additional $30 relative to the basic version. Considering the performance and quality of the device, this is the cheapest modern 5.5-inch smartphone.
