Xiaomi Redmi Note 4G The Complete Guide to Specs Prices Features and Drawbacks

Overview

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4G, initially released in August 2014, marked a significant milestone in the budget smartphone segment. Combining a sleek design with competitive features, the Redmi Note 4G attracted attention in emerging markets, particularly in India. This article delves into the specifications, features, and performance aspects that made the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4G a noteworthy choice for consumers seeking affordability without compromising on functionality.

Design and Build

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4G boasts a sturdy build and a professional design, which was quite appealing for its time. With dimensions of 154 x 78.7 x 9.5 mm and a weight of 185 grams, the device was slightly heavier but offered a comfortable grip and feel. The use of a plastic back with a smooth finish gave the phone an elegant look and feel. Its availability in classic colors like black and white added to its broad appeal.

Display

Focusing on the display, the Redmi Note 4G features a 5.5-inch IPS LCD screen, providing vibrant colors and good viewing angles. The resolution stands at 720 x 1280 pixels with a 16:9 aspect ratio, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 267 ppi. This allowed for decent media consumption and general usage, although it fell short compared to Full HD displays.

Performance and Hardware

At the heart of the Redmi Note 4G is the Qualcomm MSM8928 Snapdragon 400 chipset constructed on a 28 nm process. This chipset features a quad-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU and is complemented by the Adreno 305 GPU. With 2GB of RAM, the device handled multitasking moderately well for its class. The internal storage stands at 8GB, which may seem limited, but users benefited from the dedicated microSDXC slot for expandable storage.

Software and User Interface

Out of the box, the Redmi Note 4G ran Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, but it was upgradable to Android 4.4.2 KitKat. The device also supported MIUI 5, Xiaomi’s proprietary user interface, which added several custom features and offered a user-friendly experience. MIUI's unique apps and customization options were notable for users seeking personalized interaction with their devices.

Camera Capabilities

Photography and video enthusiasts found a reliable partner in the Redmi Note 4G, thanks to its 13 MP rear camera with an f/2.2 aperture and autofocus capability. The camera supported LED flash and HDR mode, and it was capable of capturing 1080p videos at 30fps. For selfies, the device featured a 5 MP front camera, recording up to 720p video, providing satisfactory performance for social media sharing.

Battery Life

A key strength of the Redmi Note 4G is its robust battery performance. The removable Li-Po 3100 mAh battery provided impressive longevity with up to 775 hours on standby (3G) and up to 38 hours of talk time (3G). Music lovers could enjoy up to 60 hours of continuous play, highlighting the phone's efficiency in power management.

Network and Connectivity

The Redmi Note 4G was designed with the Indian market in mind, supporting GSM, HSPA, and LTE technologies. It included 4G bands 3 and 40, with data speeds reaching LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps. In terms of connectivity, it offered Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS with GLONASS, and BDS support. Though lacking NFC, the device included FM radio functionality, microUSB 2.0, and OTG support.

Additional Features

Equipped with essential sensors such as an accelerometer, gyro, proximity, and compass, the Redmi Note 4G catered to general functional needs. The presence of a loudspeaker and 3.5mm audio jack facilitated audio output versatility. While the features may seem basic by current standards, they were well-rounded for its time.

Conclusion

In retrospect, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4G stood as a testament to Xiaomi's capability to offer cost-effective smartphones without cutting corners on essentials. Its combination of a competent processor, a large display, a high-resolution camera, and excellent battery life contributed to its popularity, especially in cost-sensitive markets. While it eventually became discontinued, its legacy paved the way for future iterations of the Redmi series, underscoring Xiaomi's influence in the budget smartphone market.