The Xiaomi Redmi Note series has long been a staple in the budget smartphone market, offering impressive value for money. Two popular models, the Redmi Note 4G and the Redmi Note 4X, often get compared. This review dives deep into their differences to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Redmi Note 4X is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 625 chipset offers significantly better performance and efficiency than the 4G's Snapdragon 400. While the 4G remains a decent budget option, the 4X's improvements in processing power and battery life make it the superior choice.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 - India | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - India | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 3, 40 - India | 1, 3, 5, 7, 38, 39, 40, 41 - Snapdragon model |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 - Malaysia, Singapore | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 38, 39, 40, 41 - Mediatek model |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, August. Released 2014, August | 2017, February. Released 2017, February |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 154 x 78.7 x 9.5 mm (6.06 x 3.10 x 0.37 in) | 151 x 76 x 8.5 mm (5.94 x 2.99 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Nano-SIM + Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 165 g (5.82 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~68.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~72.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A7 | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8928 Snapdragon 400 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8953 Snapdragon 625 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 305 | Adreno 506 |
| OS | Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 4.4.2 (KitKat), MIUI 5 | Android 6.0 (Marshmallow), upgradable to 7.0 (Nougat), MIUI 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), AF | 13 MP, f/2.0, 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 720p | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio
|
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 60 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 775 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 38 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Po 3100 mAh, removable | Li-Po 4100 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black/White | Platinum Silver, Champagne Gold, Matte Black, Hatsune Miku, Sakura Powder |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 130 EUR |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 4G
- Very affordable
- Decent display
- Expandable storage (MicroSD card slot)
- Slow performance
- Poor battery life
- Outdated chipset
- Can feel sluggish
Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X
- Improved performance
- Better battery life
- More efficient chipset
- Slightly better camera
- Slightly more expensive than the 4G
- Still a budget phone with limitations
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 5.5-inch 1080p IPS LCD display. While the quality is similar, the 4X's slightly newer panel might offer marginally better color accuracy and viewing angles, though this is subtle. Resolution and size are essentially identical.
Camera Comparison
The Redmi Note 4X generally takes slightly better photos, thanks to its improved image processing and the more efficient chipset. Both have a 13MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera. Low-light performance is a weak point for both, but the 4X tends to produce slightly less noise. Video recording capabilities are comparable.
Performance
This is where the 4X shines. The Snapdragon 625 (14nm) is a much more efficient and powerful chipset than the Snapdragon 400 (28nm) in the 4G. The 4X's octa-core processor and improved GPU provide noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. The 4G can feel sluggish at times, especially with demanding apps.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 4X boasts significantly better battery life. The Snapdragon 625's efficiency, combined with a similar 3100mAh battery capacity, allows it to last considerably longer on a single charge than the Redmi Note 4G. Expect a full day of moderate use from the 4X, while the 4G might require a top-up before the end of the day.
Buying Guide
The Redmi Note 4G is a good option for users on an extremely tight budget who prioritize affordability above all else. The Redmi Note 4X is ideal for those seeking a smoother, more responsive experience, better battery life, and a slightly improved camera, without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Redmi Note 4X worth the extra money compared to the 4G?
Yes, absolutely. The performance and battery life improvements are significant enough to justify the slightly higher price. The 4X offers a much better overall user experience.
❓ Can I still find either of these phones for sale?
Both phones are older models and are no longer officially manufactured. You might find them on the used market or through third-party retailers, but availability is limited.
