Review: Xiaomi Redmi 4X, a phone that gets the job done

Xiaomi Redmi 4X offers decent features and specs for a mid-range smartphone

Earlier this month, Xiaomi officially launched its Redmi 4X handset in Pakistan.

We got our hands on the mid-range Xiaomi device last week for review, courtesy Smartlink Technologies. Redmi 4X has a 5-inch 720 x 1280 pixels LCD display with a 294 ppi pixel density and is powered by a 1.4GHz octa-core Quaclomm Snapdragon 435 processor.

The one we received had 3GB RAM and 32GB of internal storage with the option of expandable memory of up to 128Gigs. Other variants of the device are available with the configuration of 2GB RAM and 16GB storage capacity or 4GB RAM with 64GB internal storage.

Here’s what we think of the mid-range device that retails for Rs18,900.

Design

PHOTO: Harris Javaid/The Express Tribune

Design-wise, Redmi 4X is one of the better looking devices in this price range. Despite the fact that the back panel of the device is made of plastic, the matte finish of the phone gives it a premium look.

On the flip side, the speaker grill is placed at the bottom of the device because of which the voice gets muffled while playing games/videos as your hand position tends to cover the audio output.

Specifications and performance

PHOTO: Harris Javaid/The Express Tribune

Under Redmi 4X’s hood, you would find a 1.4GHz octa-core Quaclomm Snapdragon 435 processor along with 3GB RAM and 32GB of internal storage, which is enough to handle multitasking smoothly.

During our testing, we did not notice any lag in the performance of the device despite multiple apps running in the background.

Besides the usual security features that come with mid-range devices, there’s also a fingerprint scanner placed on the back of the device. Surprising, the scanner is quite fast and recognises your fingerprint instantly.

PHOTO: Harris Javaid/The Express Tribune

However, where we felt let down was the operating system, as Redmi 4X is still running the old Android 6.0 Marshmallow although with a newer version of Xiaomi’s user interface MIUI 8. For this device, Xiaomi has opted for a skin that is quite similar to the iOS interface with no Home Menu.

Further, the brightness of the screen was not at par with other devices of the same price-range.

One of the best features of Redmi 4X is its battery timing. Powered by a 4100mAh lithium-polymer battery, the device has enough juice to get even the heaviest power user through the day with an average of 25-30 per cent battery life left. Due to the size of the battery, it will take over two hours to fully charge the device.

PHOTO: Harris Javaid/The Express Tribune

The Xiaomi Redmi 4X is a dual SIM smartphone that accepts Nano-SIM and Micro-SIM. However, if you wish to expand its memory using a micro SD card, then you’ll have to forego one of the SIMs as it uses the second SIM slot.

Camera

One of the features that people most care about any smartphone is its camera. Xiaomi Redmi 4X packs a 13-megapixel real camera with multiple feature including Phase Detection, Autofocus, HDR. Though the camera result is not of flagship quality, it is powerful enough to deliver a decent picture.

Here’s a picture we took using the HDR mode of the device

PHOTO: Ismail Sheikh/The Express Tribune

Verdict

Xiaomi Redmi 4X offers decent features and specs along with a huge 4100mAh battery for a mid-range device. It is a phone that gets the job done.