Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 Hands-on, First Impressions

Last August, Xiaomi has made official its Redmi Note 4 which is the first smartphone to have MIUI 8 to boot. Along with it come a Helio X20 processor and a 5.5-inch Full HD display encased in a metal unibody. Let’s take a look a closer look at this budget but capable handset in today’s hands-on.

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The Redmi Note 4 flaunts a 5.5-inch display which is overlayed with a Full HD resolution panel. It has fairly thin bezels and employs three capacitive buttons namely: Recent Apps, Home, and Back. You’d be glad to know that these are backlit so you wouldn’t have to guess where to press when you’re in the dark.

Up top is the speaker for calls which is flanked by the sensor and the front 5-megapixel camera.

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Turn it around and you’ll get acquainted with its metal unibody that feels smooth on the hands while it exudes a visually elegant presence. You’ll notice that the back panel is segmented by two antenna bands which allow for better signal reception. On the lower half is where you’ll see Xiaomi’s branding.

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Aligned with the fingerprint scanner is the main 13-megapixel shooter which is armed with an f/2.0 aperture, Phase Detection Autofocus, and is accompanied by dual LED lights. The fingerprint scanner has a shiny outline that positively accentuates the area.

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On the right side are the only physical buttons you’ll see on the Redmi Note 4. Here we have the volume rocker above the power/lock button. From this angle, we also see the chamfered edge this handset sports.

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Meanwhile, the opposite side houses the SIM card slots with a hybrid setup. You may choose to use two SIM cards or sacrifice the second slot for additional storage via microSD.

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Up top, we have three circles that look like they’re lined up according to size. The biggest one is the 3.5mm audio jack, the middle is an IR blaster for controlling appliances, and the smallest is the pinhole for the microphone.

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The Redmi Note 4 still rocks a microUSB port situated under it. There are holes on both sides that appear to be speaker grilles but that’s just half the truth since the right side are the only ones that throw sound.

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There are currently two models of the Note 4 — the 2GB/16GB variant and the 3GB/64GB tandem. We have the latter which carries 3GB of RAM and a spacious 64GB of storage. From that, 55.72GB is available for use which still a lot. Browsing through its MIUI 8 is so far smooth and lag-free. This particular OS has unique features like Dual Apps and Quick Ball so we’ll be sure to try those out during our time with it.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 specs:
5.5-inch Full HD display @ 1920 x 1080 resolution
2.5D curved glass on a metal unibody
2.1GHz MediaTek Helio X20 deca-core processor
2GB/3GB RAM
16GB/64GB internal storage
13MP rear camera with f/2.0 aperture, PDAF, dual-LED flash
5MP front camera with f/2.0 aperture
Dual SIM
LTE
175 grams
4100mAh battery with support for fast-charging
MIUI 8 OS

We’ll be using this smartphone in the following days before we share our final thoughts about it. Are there any specific tasks you want us to try on it? Sound off in the comments section below. If you’d like to own one, you may check out Widget City’s listing here at Php9,500 (2GB/16GB) and Php10,800 (3GB/64GB).

Updated Pricing (December 8, 2016): Php8,500 2GB/16GB and Php10,500 for the 3GB/64GB variant.

Kevin Bruce Francisco

Kevin Bruce Francisco is the Senior Editor and Video Producer for YugaTech. He's a Digital Filmmaking graduate who's always either daydreaming of traveling or actually going places on his bike. Follow him on Twitter for more tech updates @kevincofrancis.

http://www.yugatech.com

19 Comments

Zoegod says:

8 years ago

Is this still android based OS?
What type of apps for this?
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SC says:

8 years ago

Does it have a Play Store? Do Google apps lag when used on this phone? If there are Chinese apps, can we uninstall it?
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BoyTarub says:

8 years ago

Overheating issues daw nabasa ko lang..
- Reply

kenjo says:

8 years ago

mediatek

atalia says:

8 years ago

How does it perform when playing graphic heavy games? Ilang apps kayang ikarga sa unit
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yowza says:

8 years ago

@Yugatech

Sa facebook page ng WidgetCity 10,800 lang ang 3gb/64gb which i think is the proper price. Sobrang mahal ng 13,500 para sa supposedly 160-200 euro price range ng Redmi Note 4.
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RAM says:

8 years ago

I think I’ll just opt for Note 3 Pro. 3GB is very expensive. :(
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RAM says:

8 years ago

Antutu and GeekBench Please!
- Reply
yowza says:

8 years ago

The Zenfone 3 5.2 version is a better buy compared to the 3gb version of the redmi note 4.
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mouse user says:

8 years ago

The Vivo V3 Max is now priced at P13,990. SD652 and 4GB.
yowza says:

8 years ago

The price is a little high. The 3gb 64gb version was advertised as a sub 200 euro phone tapos naging 13,500 na service warranty pa?

I can get a Zenfone 3 5.2 for as low as 13K with service warranty as well.

Captain Here says:

8 years ago

2/3 GB RAM? where’s the 4 GB RAM?
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Yah says:

8 years ago

Where did you bought the unit? Tnx!
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DanielMorial_is_Bae says:

8 years ago

Maygash! Papa Daniel is Harthart! <3<3
Jealous says:

8 years ago

Mga loka kayo, nagreply tuloy si Papa Daniel. <3
It's MI says:

8 years ago

You can buy it from Michael Rivo, Michael Go and Alexis Tan. Search them in Mi buy and sell on facebook
Daniel Morial says:

8 years ago

Hi! You may check out Widget City’s listing here — http://www.widgetcity.com.ph/product/xiaomi-redmi-note-4-service-warranty/
el gato says:

8 years ago

mr chairman, i second the motion. i move that the witness be compelled to elaborate where to buy xiaomi redmi note 4 in the philippines.