Mobile devices of the famous Chinese company Xiaomi are well known to advanced users and are deservedly popular. The next smartphone that appeared on the market, Xiaomi Redmi Note 4, aroused genuine interest in it, and in order to understand its features and advantages, it is necessary to consider the presented model in detail.
The smartphone goes on sale in a compact white cardboard box with an image on the cover of the device itself, the company logo and the model name.
Inside there is a standard set: the device itself in protective film, documentation, two-amp Charger, black wire USB micro and a paper clip.
Design
The main task of the manufacturer was to correct the shortcomings of the previous version of the mobile device - to make an excellent design and high-quality assembly so that users would have nothing to complain about. They succeeded; according to these parameters, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 phone is not inferior to Samsung and Apple products. Stylish appearance, a nice-looking smartphone surprised users. The undoubted advantage of Redmi Note 4 – use of aviation aluminum as a material for the body. Looking at the new product, it is difficult to classify this device as a budget mobile device. The phone fits comfortably in your hand and looks elegant and stylish. The case does not contain plastic inserts that spoil the appearance. They were replaced by elegant stripes, expertly matched to the metal.
On the back panel, in the top center, there is the main camera, under it there is a bright multi-colored LED flash, and just below there is a fingerprint scanner that works clearly and quickly. Here you can see the company logo.
The front panel of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 smartphone is decorated with a 2.5D screen. It contains backlit control buttons and an LED event indicator. Front panel color black or white. Many people prefer the first option, since the black frames around the screen are not visible, unlike the white model.
The hybrid tray, consisting of two slots, is located on the side on the left side. You can insert 2 SIM cards into it. Instead of a nano-SIM card, you can insert an SD micro.
On the opposite side of Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 there are 2 buttons: volume and power. They are very conveniently located, they are easy to feel blindly.
The USB connector, surrounded by grilles for the speaker, is located in the usual place - on the bottom end of the phone.
An auxiliary microphone for noise suppression, a small headset jack, and an infrared transmitter are located on the top end of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 device.
The design and assembly of the device is excellent. It looks decent, despite the fact that its weight is 175 grams, dimensions: 151x76x8.35 mm. The phone is available in three colors: light and dark gray, and gold. Fingerprints are not very visible on the case, due to the fact that the metal case is almost matte.
Display
Smartphone Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 ( unofficial brand name) has a 5.5-inch screen with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels. It is created by IPS technology. We are pleased with the excellent viewing angles; a clear picture is ensured even when the device deviates strongly from the vertical and horizontal. The brightness is higher than the Redmi Pro model, which has an OLED panel, at 450 nits, but the blacks are less deep. The white color is also not pronounced and has a slightly pinkish tint, but this is the case if the sun is shining brightly. Overall the screen is pretty good and supports 10 touches simultaneously. The display is protected by an oleophobic coating, but there is no point in talking about the high resistance of the glass to scratches. If necessary, the user can set the brightness to manual mode. The proximity sensor locks the screen when you hold the phone to your ear. By tapping on the glass you can turn the display on and off.
Performance
Manufacturers have released the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 smartphone ( unofficial brand name) in two modifications, differing in the amount of built-in and RAM. The device runs on a Helio X20 processor with 10 cores. The Mali-T880 MP4 accelerator is equipped with 4 cores. The RAM in the phone is 2 or 3 GB, the built-in memory is 16 and 64 GB, respectively. The performance of the device is quite enough to perform everyday tasks and games that are undemanding in terms of graphics at medium settings. Otherwise, there will be braking, which will not give the user pleasure. The maximum heating of the case is 44 degrees, this is especially noticeable when watching video files, during games and video shooting.
Technical characteristics of Xiaomi Redmi Note 4
Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 (unofficial brand name) runs on the Android 6.0 Marshmallow operating system with the official English-Chinese firmware MIUI 8.0. If the first devices did not have a Russian-language version, now for this model you can download the official “global” or make custom firmware. The phone is constantly updated to current version. Because the Google services are not available on the phone, they can be installed using the company’s application store.
The smartphone has several beautiful screensavers for the lock screen, which the user can set independently; they will change according to automatic mode. Using the icon located in the lower left corner of the screen, you can easily launch the application for the IR transmitter. You can also immediately turn on the camera directly from the device screen. Using the search bar that appears in the settings menu, you can quickly find the item you need without scrolling.
Camera
Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 ( unofficial brand name) is equipped with a main and front camera of 13 and 5 megapixels, respectively. The quality of the images is quite decent, if you shoot in the daytime, the colors are close to natural shades. With HDR mode turned on, even in dim lighting, the pictures are of good quality. The software part of the front camera has settings that will help improve the quality of selfies.
Battery and charging for Xiaomi Redmi Note 4
In the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 smartphone accumulator battery non-removable. Its capacity is 4100mAh. Experts assess the autonomy of the mobile device as average. With active use, the phone will last only 5 hours without charging, as shown by testing results. It will take 2.5 hours to fully restore the battery.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 prices
Results
According to the results Xiaomi review Redmi Note 4 is clear that fans of the Chinese company's products should like the phone. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 device has quite decent characteristics for performing basic daily tasks. Among the advantages, the following advantages can be noted.
pros
- stylish design;
- excellent build quality;
- good sound;
- support for two SIM cards, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, built-in GPS, GLONASS system, etc.;
- good user-friendly screen and interface.
Minuses
- low autonomy;
- need for firmware;
- small amount of memory in one version of the device.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 32GB reviews from owners are called a worthy continuation of the Chinese company's tradition of releasing phones with good characteristics at low prices. This manufacturer’s strategy has paid off handsomely, as sales in India alone crossed the US$1 billion mark in 2016. A wide range of Xiaomi products includes fitness trackers, headphones, air purifiers, power banks and many other devices, but smartphones still remain in first place. And the Redmi series played a key role in the company’s success.
The Note 4 follows in the footsteps of the Note 3 and 3S, which were among the best-selling models online last year. Like its predecessors, the phone has a metal body and impressive specifications. Although the Chinese version of Note 4 was released with a MediaTek SoC processor, for the foreign market the model received a Qualcomm chip. According to reviews, the price for the Redmi Note 4 32GB Xiaomi has been set at a competitive price, so the phone can easily compete with its most popular rivals. But will the smartphone be able to continue the victorious march of the Chinese manufacturer, or is it unremarkable?
Design and ergonomics
The package includes the phone itself, a microUSB cable and a charger - the most powerful of the supported ones (2 A, 5 B).
The design of the smartphone is said to be extremely similar to the design of its predecessor. The front panel with capacitive navigation buttons under the display and a thin bezel around it is practically identical to the Note 3. It also uses 2.5D glass with curved edges, which provides the user with an excellent tactile sensation. The metal body seems quite durable, and back panel became less slippery.
The cover of Redmi Note 4 3/32GB from Xiaomi, according to reviews from owners, is slightly different, reminiscent of the design contours of Mi 5. At the top and bottom there are thin antenna strips. The rear camera with dual-tone LED flash and slightly recessed fingerprint sensor are positioned similarly to the Note 3. One of the few differences between the two is that the manufacturer has moved the rear speakers to the bottom of the phone this time around. At the bottom there is also a microUSB port for charging and data transfer, and at the top there is a 3.5 mm headphone jack and an infrared emitter. The volume rocker and power switch are located on the right. They are large and easy to reach with your fingers, but they are too “hard” when pressed. On the opposite side there is a slot for memory cards and SIM, which will require a special tool to remove. There is also an LED notification indicator. It is relatively small and dim, and is almost lost against the background of white glass, but should be clearly visible against a black background.
At 8.3mm thick, the Note 4 is thinner than its predecessor and just 11g heavier. Controlling the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 32GB with one hand, according to user reviews, does not cause any problems. The rounded edges of the smartphone fit really well into the palm without causing discomfort during prolonged use. Design of Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 32GB Black reviews called the best in the line. The gadget is available in black, gray and gold versions.
Display
The 5.5” IPS screen has a resolution of 1920 pixels, which corresponds to a density of 401 ppi. Full HD resolution makes text and images appear clear. The screen of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 32GB smartphone is praised by reviews for its bright colors and decent viewing angles, as well as the clarity of the text. Its brightness is 440 nits, and the color gamut is 72% NTSC. Thanks to improved black levels, contrast has increased to 1100:1. The screen size is perfect for watching videos. The color temperature can be set in the settings, and the reading mode makes using the smartphone more comfortable for the eyes. Automatic brightness level is supported. However, the high reflectivity of the screen is not conducive to working with it in bright sunlight. In this it is inferior to even the dimmer Note 3.
The smartphone uses an IPS matrix, which is not subject to color shifts when viewed at an angle. By default, color reproduction is quite accurate with an average deltaE of 5.3 and a maximum of 9.8. These numbers are very similar to those of the LG V20 or Sony Xperia XZ. Blue colors stand out too much and the white balance is close to cool tones. Although it is possible to customize the latter parameter, the standard mode is the most accurate. At the same time, the average deltaE value drops to a very good value of 2.8 and a maximum of 6.1. It's close to iPad Pro and better than many flagship LCD displays. IN this mode a slight yellow tint appears, which shifts the white balance to the warm side. At the same time, the maximum brightness of Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 X 32GB, according to user reviews, drops to 415 nits.
If you move the brightness adjustment slider all the way down, it drops to 1 nit. This is great for using your phone at night. Additionally, you can turn on reading mode to reduce the amount of blue light. It is possible to automatic start for select apps (such as Amazon Kindle or other reading-related apps).
Specifications and Features
The phone is equipped with a 2-GHz 8-core Snapdragon 625 chip from Qualcomm with a built-in Adreno 506 GPU. The manufacturer offers several configurations: 2 GB RAM and 32 GB ROM ($145), 3 and 32 GB ($160), as well as 4 and 64 GB ($190).
The hybrid tray holds one nanoSIM and a microSIM or microSD card. Both options support 3G and 4G networks. The Chinese manufacturer has definitely taken note of complaints about the Note 3's microSD capacity limitation, as the Note 4 supports 128GB cards, which should be sufficient for most users.
The model is equipped with a non-removable battery with a capacity of 4100 mAh, slightly larger than the 4050 mAh of the Note 3. There is a 13-megapixel rear camera with phase detection autofocus, f/2.0 aperture and dual-color LED flash. The front sensor has a resolution of 5 megapixels and a fixed-focus lens with a similar aperture. In addition, users get dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, Miracast, FM radio, GLONASS, GPS and BeiDou. Like its predecessor, the phone does not support NFC, but 4G and VoLTE are available, and users are quite satisfied with their quality.
User interface and software
The smartphone operates on the Android 6.0.1 platform with the MIUI8 add-on. The manufacturer has added many new features, including Now on Tap, which was one of the highlights of the operating system introduced in 2015. Google Now on Tap can be launched from any application by simply pressing the go button on home page, and can use screen content as context for searching. MIUI8 on Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 32GB Gold reviews are rated better than previous versions. System animations look fresh, especially app removal.
MIUI 8 comes with a new Gallery app that automatically syncs saved photos on the device with Mi Cloud. Users get 5 GB free cloud storage when registering an account. The application now features video editing and sharing functions.
The Quick Ball touch assistant, which debuted on Mi Max, always remains on the screen, including locks, and allows you to define up to 5 easy-to-access shortcuts.
To ensure privacy, the smartphone offers DualApps and SecondSpace applications. According to reviews from owners of Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 32GB, this software is one of the most popular. The first application, as the name suggests, creates 2 instances of any program on one device, which allows, for example, to use 2 simultaneously Accounts WhatsApp. Second Space, on the other hand, allows users to separate business and personal data. This feature allows you to operate 2 separate Google accounts.
Another advantage of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 Snapdragon 32GB software is the ability to take screenshots of not only the visible part, but the entire web page. The manufacturing company has also worked on its dialer application, which has now become easier to use. MIUI 8 added Caller ID feature, eliminating the need for such third party programs, like Truecaller. The application for working with SMS messages has also been improved in the latest version. For example, it became possible to store similar messages in one folder. This will be useful for prioritizing what needs to be viewed first. The pre-installed Themes app offers many options for wallpapers, ringtones, and icons.
Xiaomi has also provided one-handed control, in which the dimensions of the desktop are compressed and it is shifted to the side of the screen, allowing the user to choose a new diagonal - 4.5”, 4” and 3.5”.
Too much a large number of pre-installed applications in the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 32GB phone, reviews are not very welcoming. These include a compass, barcode scanner, voice recorder, feedback application, remote control, weather forecast, Mi forum, default browser, etc. Since it is impossible to remove pre-installed software, according to the owners, the manufacturer should reduce their number or provide the opportunity removing at least some of them.
Performance
According to reviews, Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 32GB copes with all applications that users run on it. However, they did not have any complaints about the processor. For example, the CPU can easily handle heavy games like Asphalt 8 and Dead Trigger 2 without feeling underpowered. Multitasking does not reduce the performance of the smartphone - applications launch without delay. The version with 4 GB of RAM always has enough free memory. However, modifications with 2 GB of RAM that are more popular due to their low price may suffer from its shortage.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 32GB black reviews call it an excellent multimedia device thanks to its good IPS display and support for video files with high resolution, including 4K. The bottom speaker has decent volume and does not distort at its maximum levels. A headset is not included, but testing the sound quality through headphones shows mediocre results.
Test results
The smartphone scores an impressive 65,560 points in the AnTuTu test and 42,690 in the Quadrant test, which is higher than the recently released Asus ZenFone 3 and Lenovo P2, which have the same Snapdragon 625 processor. User reviews also rate the performance of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 4G 32GB GPU highly - in the T-Rex GFXbench test, a frequency of 28 fps is achieved and 9,029 points in 3D Mark Ice Storm Extreme. These scores are in line with expectations, but it's worth noting that the Note 3 with the Snapdragon 650 CPU achieves better overall results.
Camera
The pre-installed photo and video app has many modes, including enhancement, panorama, and manual. In Scenes mode, the device allows users to choose from a variety of options including portrait, landscape, sports, night, night portrait, snow, beach, sunset, fireworks, backlight, and flowers. Filters can be applied immediately when shooting, which is good. Selfies have good colors and detail when taken in well-lit conditions. The dynamic range of the 5-megapixel sensor, however, is not so wide and there is no HDR mode for it.
The 13-megapixel rear sensor of Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 32GB, according to owner reviews, can take decent landscape photos in both bright and low light. Macro photos look good, they have correct color rendition and detail. AF quickly focuses the camera on objects. Low-light shots have good detail, although grain can be seen when zoomed in. In addition, a smartphone is not capable of doing nice photos moving objects.
The manufacturer has focused its efforts on improving camera quality following complaints about the previous model, and it's clear that things have changed for the better. However, users would still like to see different results in low light conditions, the panorama mode is disappointing, and HDR is too conservative.
Video recording
The smartphone shoots video at 1080p resolution at 30 fps and can produce slow motion at 120 fps at 720p resolution. The interface here is a little awkward - the slow motion mode becomes available only after switching to 720p. In any case, Full HD videos are shot at a standard bitrate of 17 Mbps and capture audio at 128 Kbps and a sampling rate of 48 kHz. Video suffers from the same softness and desaturated colors as the camera. To make matters worse, although the frame rate is 30 fps, some frames are duplicated, giving the image a slightly jumpy feel. Sound quality is okay, but the stereo isn't as well separated as we'd like.
Voice communication
The support of 2 SIM cards by the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 Pro 32GB phone is welcomed by user reviews, but the device can work without them. Mi SIM is a virtual embedded SIM card that allows you to connect to mobile data without having a real one. It is enough to make an advance payment - and the smartphone will work even in roaming. This can be useful if the owner of the phone travels a lot. Anyway, you can dial a number using a SIM card and VoLTE. Xiaomi Mi Voice VoIP service is also supported, which allows you to call a subscriber over the Internet.
More advanced features include support for a blocked number list, which lets you get rid of robocalls and SMS texts), and a call logger (which can work for everyone or just certain numbers). If you dig deeper into the menu, you can find even more settings. The smartphone allows you to turn off the ringer or proximity sensor, automatically lock your pocket, or mute calls from unknown numbers.
Music player and radio
The player is similar to the MIUI version Google Play Music. It can stream music online with added features such as music videos and radio stations. It can also recognize songs thanks to ACRCloud. Naturally, the audio player plays music offline, but the application does not miss the opportunity to advertise songs that, in its opinion, the user might like. Nevertheless, its capabilities are extensive. The player supports DLNA, can show song lyrics and search for similar songs. The player does not have an equalizer, but it does have presets for several headsets - from regular headphones to specific models Xiaomi.
FM radio requires a headset and can play sound through the headset or speaker. The application can record the broadcast and has a sleep timer.
Video player
The player is launched from the gallery. There is no support for subtitles, but there is DLNA. Hidden here is a surprisingly powerful editor that can trim videos, add filters, text shortcuts, and even soundtracks (from its own or pre-installed library).
Mediocre sound quality
According to user reviews, the smartphone initially seems to cope well with its task. When connected to a powered external amplifier, the device has an absolutely clean output with no weak spots. Reviews call the sound of the gold Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 32GB high-quality, and its characteristics are not inferior to the sound of its predecessor and Redmi Pro. The only speaker is located at the bottom, but it is quite loud. Its drawback is the lack of bass. The volume of voice is 64.2 dB, music - 67.2 dB, ringtone - 76.9 dB. But after connecting headphones, the stereo crosstalk increases significantly (from -94.9 to -53.6), frequency response also deteriorates slightly, and the volume level decreases. The phone won't be an audiophile's dream, but it will get the job done if you don't place too high demands on it.
Text messages
For them it is provided standard application, but you can use Xiaomi's cheaper service, which works similarly to the phone app. MMS, emoji and even time-delayed messages are supported, but overall the smartphone's capabilities are basic. Baidu Keyboard allows you to send stickers and has a fun way to enter additional characters (like the numbers on the top line). Instead of long pressing, just press and swipe up. After getting used to it, the typing speed becomes quite high.
Battery life
The non-removable 4100 mAh battery provides 15 hours and 10 minutes of run time in the continuous video playback test, which is impressive. In the real world, the phone will last up to 2 days. With intensive use, it can last almost a day and a half without activating battery saving modes. Reviews call the most impressive feature of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 32GB Gray smartphone its ability to work with weak cellular and Wi-Fi signals. Support fast charging no, although for this level price this feature would be welcome.
Conclusion
Reviews call the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 32GB a worthy purchase, the disadvantages of which are its hybrid SIM card slot, lack of fast charging and an excess of pre-installed applications. The model is a tough competitor to other smartphones in its price segment and even some more expensive models. The phone performs very well in terms of design, performance and battery life. Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 32GB Gold reviews are recommended for those who are looking for a model with big screen and an excellent battery.
Deca-core model with 5.5-inch screen in a metal case
The Chinese company Xiaomi released the Redmi Note 4 model, presenting it almost simultaneously with the new flagship Redmi Pro. The modification, one might say, is passable; it will be quite difficult for it to compete with the Redmi Note 3 Pro, which quickly became a hit. At the same time, its release also annoyed some users who had recently acquired the previous model Redmi Note 3, and then the update was already released. In general, the manufacturer has produced so many models this season that it’s time to talk about internal competition between Xiaomi products. However, at this point it is worth noting that not all of them are officially intended for the international market, even despite the availability of global firmware for them. This is exactly the hero of today’s review: unlike Redmi Note 3, Redmi Note 4 is produced exclusively for the domestic market, the model is not even presented among the company’s products, although Redmi Note 3 is there.
In any case, we will not now indulge in analytical discussions about the actions of the manufacturer in conditions of fierce competition, and even in our own market, but will simply begin a detailed study of all the capabilities of the new product. Users will decide for themselves whether to purchase Redmi Note 4 or wait for the next update, because Xiaomi is now releasing these updates at such an alarming speed...
Main characteristics of Xiaomi Redmi Note 4
- SoC MediaTek Helio X20 (MT6797), 10 cores: [email protected] GHz (ARM Cortex-A53) + [email protected] GHz (ARM Cortex-A53) + [email protected] GHz (ARM Cortex-A72)
- GPU ARM Mali-T880
- Operating system Android 6.0, MIUI 8
- Touch display IPS 5.5″, 1920×1080, 401 ppi
- Random access memory (RAM) 2/3 GB, inner memory 16/64 GB
- Support Nano-SIM (1 pc.), Micro-SIM (1 pc.)
- MicroSD support up to 128 GB
- GSM/GPRS/EDGE networks (900/1800/1900 MHz)
- WCDMA/HSPA+ networks (850/900/1900/2100 MHz)
- LTE FDD Band 1/3/5/7/8 networks
- Networks TDD Band 38—41, TD-SCDMA B34/B39
- Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 and 5 GHz)
- Bluetooth 4.2
- GPS, A-GPS, Glonass
- USB 2.0, OTG
- Camera 13 MP, autofocus, f/2.0, video 1080p
- Front camera 5 MP, f/2.0, fixed. focus
- Proximity sensors, lighting sensors, magnetic field, fingerprint, accelerometer, gyroscope
- Battery 4100 mAh, non-removable
- Dimensions 151×76×8.35 mm
- Weight 175 g
Contents of delivery
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 smartphone is released in a small box made of matte hard cardboard, decorated in the style familiar to the company's latest products. And yes, this is not at all the industrial style of yellowish oiled paper that the manufacturer used a couple of years ago. Now Xiaomi seems to have completely lost interest in it.
The small box contains the minimum possible set. It barely fit the smartphone itself, a miniature charger with a maximum output current of 2 A at a voltage of 5 V, a connecting cable and a key for removing cards.
Appearance and ease of use
Appearance of Xiaomi smartphones with each new model It's getting better and better. Plastic has finally disappeared, and there is even more metal. Now there are not even plastic inserts, the entire body is all-metal (unibody), and the antennas are placed in external thin grooves covered with composite material.
The shape of the case is classic, it is a little less streamlined and more angular than most of the modern universally recognized beauties, since there are clearly defined flat side edges. Due to their sharp edges, the smartphone is held more securely in the hand, and the strong one-piece body does not allow the device to make the slightest creak.
The smartphone has a large 5.5-inch screen, but it fits quite comfortably in the hand due to the overall small dimensions of the case, in which, apparently, they managed to reduce the weight and overall thickness of the profile through the use of more durable materials. The metal surface is matte, but not so rough that one can say that it is securely held in the fingers - the device can be quite slippery.
 |
 |
The rear part is usually given over to a camera module with flash and a fingerprint scanner. The camera module does not protrude beyond the surface of the case; the device lies stable on the table and does not sway when touching the screen. The camera is equipped with an LED flash consisting of two multi-colored LEDs, the flash is very bright. The fingerprint sensor clearly responds to touches, works quickly and accurately, there are no complaints about it.
The front panel of the smartphone is covered with a 2.5D screen with sloping edges, which is now fashionable among manufacturers. Although for a body that does not look streamlined from all sides, this does not play a special role. The front panel has an LED event indicator, touch buttons under the screen are illuminated. The color of the front panel varies depending on the overall color of the case: it can be white or black.
The card tray is inserted into the smartphone from the side; it is hybrid and has two slots for Micro-SIM cards, Nano-SIM and microSD, and microSD card can be inserted instead of Nano-SIM. It is worth especially noting a very useful detail related to the use of adapters: the Nano-SIM in a “frame” conveniently fits in place of the Micro-SIM, since there is a tray on one side of the tray, and this entire structure does not fall out anywhere. Hot swapping of cards is supported.
The power and volume buttons are located on the opposite side edge; the keys are quite elastic, have a rather harsh action, and are easy to feel blindly. The placement of the buttons does not cause dissatisfaction, everything is in order.
A universal Micro-USB connector located at the bottom supports connectivity external devices in USB OTG mode. For some reason Xiaomi will not come to unified standard, installing in different models either Micro-USB or Type-C. The connector is surrounded by two grilles, but only one of them hides the speaker; no sound comes out through the second.
A 3.5 mm mini-jack at the top is adjacent to an infrared transmitter used to emulate a remote control remote control. Here you can also notice a small hole for the second, auxiliary microphone for the noise reduction system.
The device is available in light and dark versions: in the case of golden and light gray colors, the front panel is white, and in the dark gray version it is black. In this case, the colors are purely for taste, since the metal of the case in all versions remains practical matte and does not collect dirt and fingerprints.
Screen
Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 is equipped with a touchscreen IPS display with dimensions 68×121 mm. Diagonal - 5.5 inches, resolution - 1920x1080 pixels, pixel density is approximately 401 ppi. The frame on the sides is thinner than the average, only about 3 mm, because of this the device fits well in the hand. Its body is not as wide as, for example, the same 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus.
The display brightness can be adjusted manually or automatically adjusted based on the ambient light sensor. The AnTuTu test diagnoses support for 10 simultaneous multi-touch touches. When you bring the smartphone to your ear, the screen is adequately locked and unlocked using the proximity sensor. The function of turning the display on and off by tapping on the glass has been implemented.
 |
 |
A detailed examination using measuring instruments was carried out by the editor of the “Monitors” and “Projectors and TV” sections Alexey Kudryavtsev. Here is his expert opinion on the screen of the sample under study.
The front surface of the screen is made in the form of a glass plate with a mirror-smooth surface that is scratch-resistant. Judging by the reflection of objects, the anti-glare properties of the screen are no worse than those of the Google Nexus 7 (2013) screen (hereinafter simply Nexus 7). For clarity, here is a photo in which a white surface is reflected in the switched off screens (on the left - Nexus 7, on the right - Xiaomi Redmi Note 4, then they can be distinguished by size):
The screen of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 is only slightly brighter (brightness according to photographs is 112 versus 111 for the Nexus 7). The ghosting of reflected objects in the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 screen is very weak, this indicates that there is no air gap between the layers of the screen (more specifically, between the outer glass and the surface of the LCD matrix) (OGS - One Glass Solution type screen). Due to the smaller number of boundaries (glass/air type) with very different refractive indices, such screens look better in conditions of intense external illumination, but their repair in the case of cracked external glass is much more expensive, since the entire screen has to be replaced. The outer surface of the screen has a special oleophobic (grease-repellent) coating (even better in efficiency than that of the Nexus 7), so fingerprints are removed much more easily and appear at a lower speed than with regular glass.
When manually controlling the brightness and displaying the white field in full screen, the maximum brightness value was about 400 cd/m², the minimum was 0.8 cd/m². The maximum brightness is not very high, but given the excellent anti-glare properties, readability even on a sunny day outdoors should be at good level. In complete darkness, the brightness can be reduced to a comfortable value. There is automatic brightness adjustment based on the light sensor (it is located to the left of the front speaker slot). In automatic mode, as external lighting conditions change, the screen brightness both increases and decreases. The operation of this function depends on the position of the brightness adjustment slider. If it is 100%, then in complete darkness the auto-brightness function reduces the brightness to 100 cd/m² (too much), in an office illuminated by artificial light (about 400 lux) it sets it to 300 cd/m² (also a lot), in a very bright environment ( corresponds to lighting on a clear day outdoors, but without direct sunlight - 20,000 lux or a little more) the brightness increases to 400 cd/m² (to the maximum - this is how it should be); if the adjustment is approximately 50%, then the values are as follows: 9, 170 and 400 cd/m² (suitable values), the regulator at 0% is 0.8, 30 and 400 cd/m² (the first two values are too low). It turns out that the auto-brightness function works more or less adequately and, to some extent, allows the user to customize their work to individual requirements. At any brightness level, there is no significant backlight modulation, so there is no screen flicker.
IN this smartphone matrix is used IPS type. The microphotographs show a typical IPS subpixel structure:
For comparison, you can see the gallery of microphotographs of screens used in mobile technology.
The screen has good viewing angles without significant color shift even with large viewing deviations from perpendicular to the screen and without inverting shades. For comparison, here are photographs in which the same images are displayed on the screens of Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 and Nexus 7, while the screen brightness is initially set to approximately 200 cd/m², and the color balance on the camera is forcibly switched to 6500 K. There is a white field perpendicular to the screens:
Note the good uniformity of brightness and color tone of the white field.
And a test picture:
The colors on the screen of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 are slightly oversaturated; the color balance of the Nexus 7 and the tested screen are slightly different. Photo received after selecting a profile Standard in screen settings:
In the other two profiles, the saturation is even higher, which is achieved by increasing the color contrast, without changing the coordinates of the primary colors.
Now at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the plane and to the side of the screen:
It can be seen that the colors have not changed much on both screens, but on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 the contrast has decreased to a greater extent due to the strong highlighting of black.
And a white field:
The brightness at the angle of the screens decreased (at least 5 times, based on the difference in shutter speed) and decreased to approximately the same extent. When deviated diagonally, the black field brightens greatly, but remains a conditionally neutral gray hue. The photographs below demonstrate this (the brightness of the white areas in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the screens is the same!):
And from another angle:
When viewed perpendicularly, the uniformity of the black field is good, although not ideal. The backlight shines through the white frame slightly:
The contrast (approximately in the center of the screen) is high - about 1070:1. The response time for the black-white-black transition is 18 ms (10 ms on + 8 ms off). The transition between halftones of gray 25% and 75% (based on the numerical value of the color) and back takes a total of 28 ms. The gamma curve, constructed using 32 points with equal intervals based on the numerical value of the shade of gray, did not reveal any blockage in either the highlights or the shadows. The exponent of the approximating power function is 2.18, which is close to the standard value of 2.2. In this case, the real gamma curve deviates slightly from the power-law dependence:
We did not detect the presence of dynamic adjustment of the backlight brightness in accordance with the nature of the displayed image, which is very good.
Color gamut is close to sRGB:
The spectra show that the matrix filters moderately mix the components with each other:
As a result, the colors have more or less natural saturation and hue. More or less, since there is a slight increase in color contrast. The grayscale balance is good, as the color temperature is not much higher than the standard 6500K, and the deviation from the blackbody spectrum (ΔE) is mostly below 10, which is considered acceptable for a consumer device. Moreover, both parameters change little from shade to shade - this has a positive effect on the visual assessment of color balance. (The darkest areas of the gray scale can be ignored, since there is no color balance of great importance, and the error in measuring color characteristics at low brightness is large.)
In this device only when selecting a profile Automatic contrast it is possible to adjust the color balance using the warm-standard-cool tint switch (see screenshot above), but the required reduction in color temperature in this case (option Warm) leads to an increase in ΔE, so there is no particular point in performing a correction.
To summarize: the screen has a fairly high maximum brightness and has excellent anti-glare properties, so the device can be used outdoors even on a sunny summer day without any problems. In complete darkness, the brightness can be reduced to a comfortable level. It is also possible to use a mode with automatic brightness adjustment, which works more or less adequately. Also, the advantages of the screen include the presence of an effective oleophobic coating, the absence of an air gap in the layers of the screen and flicker, high contrast and a color gamut close to sRGB. The disadvantages are the low stability of black to the deviation of the gaze from perpendicular to the screen plane. In addition, we did not like the slight increase in color contrast. Nevertheless, taking into account the importance of characteristics for this particular class of devices, the quality of the screen can be considered high.
Sound
The sound of Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 can be described as satisfactory. To voice an incoming call, the available capabilities are quite sufficient - the sound is loud and clear. However, there is no bright saturation in it, the frequency spectrum is limited mainly to highs, there are no deep bass either in the main speaker or in the headphones. In general, the sound is clear, but simple - perhaps sufficient for a two-hundred-dollar smartphone, but it could be better.
To the speaker and microphone special claims no, the sound is somewhat muffled, but clear and legible. Interlocutors on the other side also do not note any noticeable problems with sound during telephone conversations.
FM radio is included as standard with the smartphone. The sensitivity of the microphones when recording on a voice recorder is not satisfactory, the speaker's voice is recorded clearly, and the noise reduction system copes with noise.
 |
 |
 |
 |
Camera
The smartphone is equipped with two modules digital cameras with a resolution of 13 and 5 megapixels. The front module has a lens with a maximum aperture of f/2.0, the focus is fixed, and there is no own flash. The quality is quite good for selfie level, sharpness and color rendition are normal, although detailing, of course, is good only for self-portraits. As standard for Xiaomi selfie cameras, there is a facial recognition function with age and gender detection; shooting can be done using the side volume key.
The main camera has a 13-megapixel sensor and a lens with an f/2.0 aperture, fast phase detection autofocus and a dual bright LED flash. As usual, there is no choice of resolution in specific numbers; you can only set high, medium or low quality, as well as adjust brightness, sharpness and contrast. In manual mode, ISO (up to 1600) and white balance settings are added. Among the additional shooting modes you can find panoramic, night, decoration, as well as audio notes mode and others. You cannot transfer control of camera settings to third-party applications using the Camera2 API, and there is also no possibility of recording in RAW.
 |
 |
 |
 |
The camera can shoot video at a maximum resolution of 1080p, but does not support shooting at 60 fps and 4K. There is no electronic stabilization function, so shooting on the move turns out to be jerky. The camera does an average job with video recording: the picture is not quite clear, the image is loose, although the video sequence during static shooting is smooth, without jerks or artifacts, the sound is also recorded more or less acceptable. The noise reduction system is available, and it copes with its tasks tolerably.
- Video No. 1 (31 MB, 1920×1080@30 fps, H.264, AAC)
- Video No. 2 (29 MB, 1920×1080@30 fps, H.264, AAC)
| Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 | Apple iPhone 6Plus |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
It’s difficult to call the camera a good one, especially for a Xiaomi device. The abundance of residual noise and areas of blur does not allow us to consider it seriously. On the other hand, in good lighting it produces good results, so it will certainly cope with documentary shooting.
Telephone and communications
The network capabilities of Xiaomi smartphones intended for the domestic market often do not fully meet the requirements of Russian users, since they do not support the LTE 800 MHz frequency (Band 20), which best meets the requirements for indoor communications, as well as in sparsely populated areas. Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 was no exception: the device can operate in five LTE FDD bands (Band 1/3/5/7/8), but does not support Band 20. In practice, in the Moscow region, the smartphone was confidently registered and worked in 4G networks . The quality of signal reception does not cause any particular complaints; the device confidently maintains communication indoors and does not lose the signal in areas of poor reception. Full list The frequency bands supported by the smartphone are as follows:
- GSM B2/B3/B8; CDMA 2000/1X BC0
- WCDMA B1/B2/B5/B8; TD-SCDMA B34/B39
- FDD-LTE B1/B3/B5/B7/B8; TD-LTE B38/B39/B40/B41
The smartphone supports the standard wireless communication Wi-Fi 802.11ac and, of course, two Wi-Fi bands - 2.4 and 5 GHz. Eat Bluetooth support version 4.2 and two satellite navigation systems - GPS and Glonass, without the Chinese Beidou. There are no complaints about the operating speed of the navigation module; the first satellites are detected during a cold start within the first tens of seconds. There is a built-in magnetic field sensor. There is no NFC support in the smartphone.
 |
 |
Built on the new Mediatek Helio X20 chipset, the device supports simultaneous operation of both SIM cards in 3G networks. This is especially true for subscribers of those telecom operators that provide coverage only in the 3G/4G bands without 2G support - the same Tele 2, for example. Everyone knows that if you do not select such a SIM card as the main one for data transfer in 3G/4G, then it simply ceases to be available, since the card in one of the slots can only work in 2G. Here, the Tele 2 SIM card always remains available in 3G, even if another card is selected for data transfer, which is convenient.
We are, naturally, talking about the features of the standby mode, since work with two SIM cards is organized according to the usual Dual SIM Dual Standby standard, when both cards can be in active standby mode, but cannot work at the same time - there is only one radio module. For voice communication or for data transfer, you can assign a specific card in advance or select it directly during the connection. The standard keyboard does not support the Russian language and stroke input, so you will have to install a normal keyboard yourself after purchase.
 |
 |
 |
 |
OS and software
The device uses the Google software platform as a system Android versions 6.0 with its own MIUI 8.0 shell installed. The capabilities of MIUI are well known to those who like to install customized interfaces on their smartphones. In any case, you will have to tinker with this device, if only because the Chinese version never comes pre-installed with Google Apps, including the necessary store Play applications Store. Naturally, knowledge of English is also necessary.
 |
 |
The interface is drawn nicely: in the eighth version of the shell, many of the external components have been redesigned, including fonts. Even more replaceable wallpapers have appeared in the carousel of pictures - however, they mainly depict slender Chinese boys and girls in various poses. There are also more useful updates: the calculator, for example, has become more functional and has several additional operating modes to choose from. In the photo gallery you can work directly with pictures, adding stickers, sound and your own captions. Even more attention has been paid to security; now you can even protect your own notes with a password.
 |
 |
 |
 |
As usual, MIUI supports few gestures. But there is a multifunctional virtual button with quick access to the necessary functions, which can be attached anywhere on the screen. Naturally, there is no separate section for applications in the launcher; all icons are distributed across desktops, and folder creation is supported. There are not many additional programs, including a compass, QR scanner, remote control, FM radio, office suite, a utility for working with a second account, etc. Some programs are intended only for the Chinese market. But with a little effort, you can install the Play Store application store yourself, and then there will be no problems with the programs.
 |
 |
Performance
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 hardware platform is based on the top-end MediaTek MT6797 platform - the 10-core Helio X20 SoC. This is a 64-bit processor with 4 Cortex-A53 cores running at 1.4 GHz, another 4 Cortex-A53 cores running at 1.85 GHz, and 2 more Cortex-A72 cores running at up to 2.3 GHz . True, in this case the upper frequency is limited to 2.1 GHz; the MT6797M SoC version is used. The ARM Mali T880 graphics chip and 2 or 3 GB of RAM, depending on the modification, are also responsible for the device’s performance. The volume of built-in flash memory is 16 or 64 GB, it can be expanded using microSD cards.
 |
 |
 |
 |
Based on the testing results, it can be noted once again that MediaTek’s flagship SoCs as a whole are quite far in capabilities from the leading Samsung Exynos 8890 Octa and Qualcomm Snapdragon 820. The overall performance in tests was also affected by the limitation of the maximum frequency of processor cores in the MT6797M modification: the device showed in AnTuTu a maximum of 69K points, while, for example, the Doogee F7 Pro on a full-fledged MT6797 produced 89K in the same test. In terms of graphics, the video accelerator is even more inferior to the leaders, and this is noticeable in the results of all benchmarks.
However, at the moment, the capabilities of such a platform are sufficient for any purpose, including demanding games. Unassuming "Tanks" run at high, although not maximum, fps; in heavier games with demanding graphics, the video accelerator can also cope so far, although in Dead Trigger 2 there were still slight slowdowns.
Testing in latest versions comprehensive tests AnTuTu and GeekBench:
For convenience, we have compiled all the results we obtained when testing the smartphone in the latest versions of popular benchmarks into tables. The table usually adds several other devices from different segments, also tested on similar latest versions of benchmarks (this is done only for a visual assessment of the obtained dry figures). Unfortunately, within the framework of one comparison it is impossible to present the results from different versions benchmarks, so many worthy and relevant models remain “behind the scenes” - due to the fact that they once passed the “obstacle course” on previous versions of test programs.
 |
 |
Testing the graphics subsystem in gaming tests 3DMark, GFXBenchmark, and Bonsai Benchmark:
When testing in 3DMark, the most powerful smartphones now have the ability to run the application in Unlimited mode, where the rendering resolution is fixed at 720p and VSync is disabled (which can cause the speed to rise above 60 fps).
| Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 (MediaTek Helio X20) |
LeEco Le 2 (Qualcomm Snapdragon 652) |
Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge (Samsung Exynos 8890 Octa) |
Yu Yunicorn (MediaTek Helio P10) |
|
| 3DMark Ice Storm Sling Shot ES 3.1 (more is better) |
569 | 812 | 2130 | 332 |
| GFXBenchmark Car Chase ES 3.1 (Onscreen, fps) | 3,5 | 5 | 8 | — |
| GFXBenchmark Car Chase ES 3.1 (Offscreen, fps) | 3 | 5 | 15 | — |
| GFXBenchmark Manhattan ES 3.1 (Onscreen, fps) | 6 | 9 | 24 | 4 |
| GFXBenchmark Manhattan ES 3.1 (Offscreen, fps) | 5 | 9 | 26 | 3 |
| GFXBenchmark T-Rex (Onscreen, fps) | 15 | 24 | 52 | 17 |
| GFXBenchmark T-Rex (1080p Offscreen, fps) | 14 | 31 | 84 | 17 |
 |
 |
Browser cross-platform tests:
As for benchmarks for assessing the speed of the javascript engine, you should always make allowance for the fact that their results significantly depend on the browser in which they are launched, so the comparison can only be truly correct on the same OS and browsers, and this is possible during testing not always. For Android OS, we always try to use Google Chrome.
Thermal photographs
Below is a thermal image of the rear surface obtained after 10 minutes of running the battery test in the GFXBenchmark program:
It can be seen that the heating is more localized in the upper part of the device, which apparently corresponds to the location of the SoC chip. According to the heat camera, the maximum heating was only 35 degrees (at an ambient temperature of 24 degrees), which is relatively little.
Playing video
To test the omnivorous nature of video playback (including support for various codecs, containers and special features, such as subtitles), we used the most common formats, which make up the bulk of the content available on the Internet. Note that for mobile devices It is important to have support for hardware video decoding at the chip level, since it is most often impossible to process modern options using processor cores alone. Also, you shouldn’t expect a mobile device to decode everything, since the leadership in flexibility belongs to the PC, and no one is going to challenge it. All results are summarized in a table.
According to the testing results, the test subject was not equipped with all the necessary decoders that are needed to fully play most of the most common multimedia files on the network, in this case, audio files. To successfully play them, you will have to resort to the help of a third-party player - for example, MX Player. True, it is also necessary to change the settings and manually install additional custom codecs, because now this player does not officially support the AC3 sound format.
| Format | Container, video, sound | MX Video Player | Standard video player |
| BDRip 720p | MKV, H.264 1280×720, 24fps, AAC | plays normally | plays normally |
| BDRip 720p | MKV, H.264 1280×720, 24fps, AC3 | The video plays fine, there is no sound | |
| BDRip 1080p | MKV, H.264 1920×1080, 24fps, AAC | plays normally | plays normally |
| BDRip 1080p | MKV, H.264 1920×1080, 24fps, AC3 | The video plays fine, there is no sound | The video plays fine, there is no sound |
We did not find the MHL interface, like Mobility DisplayPort, in this smartphone, so we had to limit ourselves to testing the output of video files on the screen of the device itself. To do this, we used a set of test files with an arrow and a rectangle moving one division per frame (see “Method for testing video playback and display devices. Version 1 (for mobile devices)”). Screenshots with a shutter speed of 1 s helped determine the nature of the output of frames of video files with various parameters: the resolution varied (1280 by 720 (720p), 1920 by 1080 (1080p) and 3840 by 2160 (4K) pixels) and frame rate (24, 25, 30, 50 and 60 fps). In the tests we used the MX Player video player in the “Hardware” mode. The test results are summarized in the table:
Estimates, this means that, most likely, when watching films, artifacts caused by uneven alternation and frame skipping will either not be visible at all, or their number and visibility will not affect the viewing comfort. Red marks indicate possible problems with playback of the corresponding files.
According to the criterion of frame output, the quality of playback of video files on the screen of the smartphone itself is good, since frames (or groups of frames) can (but are not required) be output with more or less uniform alternation of intervals and without skipping frames. The screen refresh rate is about 61 Hz, so when outputting files with 60 fps, one frame per second is output longer than the rest, and for files with other frame rates, ideal smoothness is no longer obtained. When playing video files with a resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels (1080p) on a smartphone screen, the image of the video file itself is displayed exactly along the border of the screen, one to one in pixels, that is, in the original resolution. The brightness range displayed on the screen corresponds to the standard range of 16-235: all gradations of shades are displayed in shadows and highlights.
Battery life
The non-removable battery installed in the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 has a more than decent capacity of 4100 mAh. But, as is usually the case with Chinese smartphones on MediaTek, a large battery capacity does not necessarily mean high level autonomy. In the case of the hero of our review, autonomy turned out to be far from record-breaking; everything here is at an average level, not higher.
Testing has traditionally been carried out at normal power consumption levels without using power saving modes, although they are here, and they can even be manually configured to suit your own needs.
Continuous reading in the Moon+ Reader program (with a standard, light theme) at a minimum comfortable brightness level (brightness was set to 100 cd/m²) with auto-scrolling lasted 12 hours until the battery was completely discharged, and when continuously watching videos in high quality (720p) with same brightness level through home Wi-Fi network The device can withstand 10 hours. In 3D gaming mode, the smartphone operated for about 4 hours. Charges from standard network adapter Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 for almost 2.5 hours with a current of 1.8 A at a voltage of 5.3 V. Wireless charger not supported.
Bottom line
Sellers in foreign online stores are now asking about $210 or even a little more for the older version of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 we tested today, that is, with 3 GB of RAM and 64 GB of flash memory. Russian resellers offer this device, which, of course, does not have official certification, at approximately the same price - about 13 thousand rubles. Most likely, buying from them, with firmware and installation Play store Store won't have to bother; they'll install everything you need themselves. But even in this case, the device will not be perfectly localized; some of the settings will remain on English language. However, such little things no longer frighten enthusiasts who have made Xiaomi their favorite brand. And there are a lot of them in Russia. The new product is not so cheap by Xiaomi standards, especially compared to previously presented models, for example the same Redmi Note 3 Pro, which has become popular and is now selling for about $180. True, the Redmi Note 4 has a more top-end SoC, according to the manufacturer, MT Helio X20, while the mentioned Redmi Note 3 Pro has “just” a Qualcomm Snapdragon 650. But in fact, it is still unknown which is better.
In any case, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4, even with the top-end MediaTek platform, is not comparable to the flagship; the model differs from its predecessors, but not too much. We should probably expect a price reduction for this device soon. Not bad and good screen, cameras, sound, communication capabilities, level of autonomy, the presence of a fingerprint scanner - all this was already there, the new product did not bring any special improvements. For example, I would like to finally see in everyone Xiaomi smartphones wider support for the LTE frequency ranges used by Russian operators, as well as the presence of NFC is a minimum. The smartphone is certainly not bad, but, oddly enough, our hero was not able to offer more than other products from the manufacturer.
Xiaomi has already gained a reputation as a manufacturer that can produce smartphones that have a low price and excellent specifications. The most interesting thing is that it is difficult to keep current users in one place in terms of attention. But the company manages to do this only due to the fact that it simply “churns out” high-quality smartphones. At first glance, it seems that this is impossible, but the company somehow manages to do it. And today we will be looking at the latest product from this series of affordable but cheap ones – Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 Pro.
Smartphone in question adopted the design from the flagship Redmi Pro smartpad. It received an all-metal body with two polished edges, as well as two plastic inserts - bottom and top. Both have the same speaker perforations.
On the front surface of the device above the screen there is a front camera, speaker grille, LED charging indicator, proximity and light sensors. Below the display are the touch keys “Home”, “Menu” and “Back”.
On the right side of the smartphone there is a key on/off and volume button. On the left side there is a hybrid slot for two SIM cards and a memory card.
On the top edge there is a microphone, 3.5 mm audio jack, as well as an infrared port. On the bottom there is a Micro-USB connector, on each side of it there are six symmetrical perforations for speakers. On the back cover there is a main camera lens, as well as a fingerprint scanner, as well as a two-color LED flash.
Generally speaking, the dimensions of the smartphone are rather large, but we have already seen something similar with the implementation of Redmi Note 2 and Redmi Note 3. And fans greeted such phones literally with a bang. Why shouldn't the same fate befall this model? All connectors and controls are located in the usual places. The physical buttons are well made and easy to find even blindly. The fingerprint sensor fits perfectly under the index finger.
About the display
Continuing our review, Let's say that the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 display is equipped with a 5.5-inch display built on an IPS matrix. The resolution here is 1920 by 1080 pixels, that is, FullHD. The pixel density here is 401 ppi. The characteristics of the phone are such that it supports multi-touch technology. In total, the smartphone can recognize up to 10 simultaneous touches. By the way, the screen is covered with a curved 2.5D. Also, it has a high-quality oleophobic coating applied to it.
In general, the smartphone has a really bright screen, which practically does not go blind in the sun. The colors here are rich and the image is contrasty and clear. Viewing angles can be called maximum and there is no fading or color distortion at an angle.
Other screen characteristics: Brightness is 450 nits, contrast is 1000:1, and NTSC gamut coverage is 72 percent. Software screen settings make it possible to change color temperature, contrast, and also enable reading mode, which blocks ultraviolet radiation. It should be said that “reading mode” can even be programmed to turn on automatically to work with certain applications.
About the technical stuffing
We should begin our review of this point with the fact that that Xiaomi, unlike many manufacturers, does not have a clear commitment to manufacturers of mobile processors and uses both processors from MediaTek and Qualcomm in its devices. Specifically in this line, the manufacturer did this: the first presented Redmi Note 4 smartphone was equipped with a processor from MediaTek, model HelioX20. After this, after a while, the manufacturer introduced the Redmi Note 4X model. It is already based on a processor from Snapdragon 625. Otherwise, the phones are completely identical.
Since we are looking at the Pro version, then we are still more interested in the Snapdragon model. Talking about it, it is an 8-core 64-bit processor with a frequency of 2 GHz. If we talk about the model with a Mediatek processor, then, as mentioned above, it has a 10-core processor model MT6797 or HelioX20 with a frequency of 2.1 GHz.
In the same model as a graphics processor a Mali-T880 MP4 video accelerator is installed, and models with Snapdargon have Adreno 506. If we talk about RAM, then depending on the type of processor there are models with 2.3 and 4 GB. If speak about external storage, then depending on the model there are phones with 16, 32 and 64gb of memory. If we talk about the latest model, then about 50 gigabytes are available to the user. And if this is not enough for anyone, then you can easily insert a MicroSD memory card with a capacity of up to 128 gigabytes, thanks to the presence of a paired slot for SIM cards and a memory card. But in this case you will have to sacrifice one of the SIM cards.
Results in Antutu Benchmark for the version which we are considering amounted to just over 81 thousand points. It should be said that this phone is capable of performing any modern task that can be set by the user. The proprietary interface works smoothly and quickly. There is simply no talk of any lags or slowdowns. Naturally, there can be no problems with playing online video files with a resolution of 720 and 1080p. If we talk about games, there are no hints of stuttering or lag in games even at the highest settings.
Let's continue our review by considering the issue of sound. The characteristics of the external speaker of the smartphone were also pleasantly surprising. The speaker of the laptop model sounds impressive, although maximum level volume there is a loss of purity. So, for this device, which belongs to the budget category, this is an excellent solution.
If we talk about fingerprinting, then it works fine. It instantly recognizes the fingerprint no matter at what angle the finger is applied. In order to carry out the first scan, you need to put your finger on the scanner 5-7 times so that the fingerprint is recorded. Also, the scanner is convenient to use to unlock your phone.
If we talk about the interface of this Note model, the device runs under operating Android systems 6.0 Marshmallow with MIUI 8 interface. It should be said that the interface will be very simple for those who were previously familiar with this firmware. If it is still difficult for the user to initially understand the intricacies of working with the system, then you can select “Light Mode”, which is to some extent similar to the mode that older people use on their phones. That is, everything is simplified as much as possible down to the icons of the most necessary applications. Also, all the standard MIUI features such as “Second Space”, as well as “Mode for controlling a smartphone with one hand” are present here.
Let's talk about the camera
Let's continue our review by talking about the camera. The main camera of the Prime model received a 13-megapixel module. It is known that at the time of the smartphone’s release, the module used here was the latest development by Omni Vision. The five-element lens has an aperture of f/2.0. Also, the camera is equipped with a phase detection autofocus mechanism, as well as a two-color LED flash. If we talk about the front camera, it has a 5-megapixel module with a lens aperture of f/2.0.
Now let's talk about cameras in a little more detail. The main camera takes pictures with excellent color reproduction and does not make any errors in exposure. By the way, the pictures come out really well detailed in good artificial and daylight lighting. If there is a lack of light, then the photographs begin to have noise and lose detail. Front-camera got a fixed focus, and takes pictures of pretty good quality, but only in good lighting.
The review should be continued by: that the camera interface is extremely simple and will be understandable even to a beginner. There are 8 shooting modes to choose from:
- voice;
- timer;
- panorama;
- scene;
- night;
- manual;
- improvement;
- alignment.
The manual mode can be called stripped down - the user can independently set only the white balance and ISO values. But you cannot change the same distance or shutter speed here. The description of the cameras should be supplemented by the fact that there is also a separate settings menu where you can turn on the framing grid, change the format and size of the frame, assign an action to the volume key, and also change parameters such as sharpness, saturation, contrast and exposure metering.
The Prime camera can shoot video files in Full HD resolution at 30 FPS, as well as slow-motion video in HD resolution.
About wireless interfaces
Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 received two slots for SIM cards in Micro and Nano format. But if the user wants to insert a memory card, then one SIM card will have to be abandoned. The radio module of the smartphone allows you to work in networks such as LTE Cat.6, where in theory the data transfer speed can reach 300 megabits per second. The model received a dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11 module, which supports work with all modern standards - a/b/g/n/ac. As already mentioned, the module is dual-band, which means it works in both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks. It also supports Wi-Fi Hot spot, Wi-Fi Display, and Wi-Fi Direct.
In addition, a Bluetooth module version 4.2 LE is installed here. The last letters mean that this module has reduced power consumption, which will extend the life of the device on a single charge.
Also, Redmi Note 4 received an infrared port and can be used as Universal remote remote control. For this purpose it is also preinstalled here special application called MiRemote.
The operation of the navigation module did not cause any complaints. To contact GPS and GLONASS satellites and determine the user’s location, the device needs no more than 10 seconds.
Not without standard sensors:
- approaching;
- illumination;
- gyroscope;
- accelerometer;
- compass.
In general, we can say that the filling here in this matter is excellent.
Smartphone in question received a non-removable battery with a capacity of 4100 mAh. A regular two-amp charger can fully charge the battery in 2 hours and 20 minutes.
If we talk about the practical side of the issue , then an hour of playing with Wi-Fi on and the brightness reduced to 50 percent will “eat up” about 17 percent of the charge. The smartphone can play video in “Flight” mode at the maximum brightness level for about 12 hours.
It should be said that to control energy consumption in MIUI There is a convenient energy saving mode with big amount settings. To save charge, this mode not only closes background processes, but also stops synchronization and also reduces the number of system animations to a minimum. Also, in the settings, the user can select the preferred performance mode - productive or balanced, disable system animations, assign automatic shutdown saving energy for each application, as well as independently setting a schedule for switching from normal mode to energy-saving mode.
A simplified version of Redmi note 4, which may suit you better -
Let's sum it up
Generally speaking, Redmi Note 4 Pro has become a worthy successor to the Redmi Note line, and in general is not too different from its predecessors. Its body is made of better quality, and a more recent processor is installed, and there will be more memory. Xiaomi has already directly begun to create competition between its devices, which is quite interesting. In any case, Redmi Note 4 Pro is a smartphone model that you should definitely pay attention to. Today there are practically no manufacturers on the market that can offer a smartphone with such characteristics at such a low price.
If we talk about the advantages of the smartphone in question, it has:
- high-quality FullHD display;
- capacious battery;
- all-metal body;
- fingerprint scanner.
If we talk about the shortcomings, we should highlight:
- twin slot for and memory cards;
- ambiguous operation of the front camera.
For people who are going to update their gadget, it is worth studying the characteristics and then buying Xiaomi Redmi Note 4. The young Chinese company Xiaomi Inc is winning the favor of customers with decent quality and low cost. The main principle of the manufacturer is that the basic functions of a smartphone must correspond to the line of flagship products.
What is the reason for the popularity of Xiaomi Redmi Note 4?
The impression from the smartphone is that it is a good-quality model, which, with a slight stretch, can be classified as a line of more expensive products. The following criteria contribute to this:
- Strength: when you try to bend the aluminum body of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4, nothing happens.
- Practicality: in addition to gold, there are two options for a non-marking case: dark gray and black.
- Compact and light: model weight 175 g.
- Comfort: Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 fits comfortably in the palm of your hand, the control buttons are backlit, and there is Bluetooth 4.2.
A significant advantage is the build quality. It is characterized by:
- careful connection of connectors with housing grooves;
- lack of play in sliding elements, for example, a tray;
- there is no creaking or other unusual sounds: all components of the structure are securely fixed in place.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 design matches modern trends: rounded corners, elongated rectangular shape, traditional arrangement of cameras and control buttons.
Advantages of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 smartphone
An important advantage is that the model looks expensive. This impression is created thanks to the 5.5” display with Full HD image quality. The screen is protected by glass with rounded edges (2.5D glass). The undoubted advantage is low cost. Price Xiaomi Note 4 - about 200 $.
All of these advantages are inherent only in original smartphone models, which are recommended to be purchased from official representatives. In this case, the buyer gets rid of troubles related to performance, durability and warranty.
Listen to the advice: have time to please yourself with a high-quality smartphone before Xiaomi Inc moves into the major flagship league. The brand has all the prerequisites to rise to the top.