Redmi Note 4 review is it better than the Redmi note 3?

Xiaomi launched the next handset in the Redmi series, the Redmi Note 4 powered by SD 625. The price starts from Rs. 9,999. Is this handset better than the Note 3, let’s find out.

The Redmi Note 4 box pack contains handset, SIM tray ejector pin, user manual, warranty card, data cable and travel charger. The Note 4 SAR values are : 0.375W/Kg.

Design, Display and OS

The Redmi Note 4 looks similar when compared with the Redmi Note 3, however there are some minor changes. This handset is using a metal body (top and bottom part – darker shades is plastic). Build and finishing is very good. Weight with battery is 165 grams and dimensions are 76 x 151 x 8.4 mm.

This is a dual SIM handset you can use Micro SIM + Nano SIM or Micro SIM + Micro SD card. 4G with VoLTE is supported. Reliance Jio SIM worked.

There is LED Notification, you can change the colors. Redmi Note 4 is packed with good number of sensors – accelerometer, light, proximity, gyro, hall and magnetic.

This Redmi handset sports a 5.5 inch screen with 2.5D curved glass supporting 1920 x 1080 pixels resolution. Touch is smooth and color reproduction, viewing angles are very good.

Redmi Note 4 sails on MIUI 8 based on Android marshmallow. It will get Android Nougat update later on.

Memory and Storage

Note 4 comes with 2GB or 3GB RAM with 32GB ROM or you can go for the 4GB RAM variant with 64GB ROM. OTG is supported. On first boot you will get around 56GB free space and on the 4GB RAM variant you will get around 2 GB free RAM.

Performance

The Snapdragon 625 octa core 64 bit processor clocked at 2GHz with Adreno 506 GPU does an excellent job. Though the benchmark scores are lower than Redmi Note 3 you will hardly notice any difference in the performance.

Best part is that the handset does not heat up. The maximum battery temperature I encountered was 37 degrees. In fact when compared with other handsets the battery temperature is way low (also not to forget its winter season), but still temp is lower compared with other handsets.

Benchmark

AnTuTu : 61862 / 12860  2^nd time 62428  / 12925
Nenamark 2 : 60.1fps
Disk Speed : 216 MB/s read / 151 MB/s write
Multi Touch :10 point

Gaming

Both Modern Combat 5 and Asphalt 8 games were playable, smooth, no lags. The best part was the handset battery temperature – max battery temperature I encountered was 37 degrees. .

Redmi Note 4 did not heat up when playing games. Perfect for gaming users, especially those who spend a lot of time playing games on their mobile phone.

Camera

There is 13MP camera on the back and 5MP on the front. Camera quality is above average (make sure to update the OS / also check this page for Redmi Note 4 camera review video). Note 4 can shoot FHD videos. The hardware is powerful, it can play 4K, but the camera app gives max 1080p recording option.

Camera Rating 4 out of 5

Redmi Note 4 camera sample

Download Original Image files (right click and save) (do not use it for commercial purpose, without permission of gogi.in).

Redmi Note 4 Camera sample after software update above average performance (tested on two different Redmi Note 4 handsets)

Download Original Image files (right click and save) (do not use it for commercial purpose, without permission of gogi.in).

Others

The finger print sensor on back is fast and accurate. Sound is loud, did not find any issues with VoLTE, reliance Jio worked. WiFi, Bluetooth and GPS worked well.

No others issues, sound is loud, WiFi (dual band), GPS, Bluetooth, IR worked well.

Battery

There is a 4100 mAh non-removable battery. Battery life is awesome – you will get 9 to 10 hours of non-stop moderate to heavy usage. With mixed moderate usage you can expect an easy 2 days of battery life.

Redmi Note 4 Battery Performance (time / battery % drop / estimated battery temperature)

• Running Benchmark app – 12 minutes / 2% / 33 degree
• Asphalt 8 game play – 19 minutes / 3% / 37 degree
• 4K video playback with full brightness (WiFi /4G on) – 27 minutes / 5% / 35 degrees

It took me 2 hours 30 minutes to charge the handset from 0% to 100% using wall charger.

Verdict

If you compare Redmi Note 3 and the Redmi Note 4, benchmark scores are higher on Redmi Note 3, but in real usage scenario you will hardly find any differences. Battery life is even better on the Note 4. Also heat up is much less on the Note 4 when compared with Note 3.

If you have used the Redmi Note 3, you can upgraded to Redmi Note 4.

Overall Rating 4.1 out of 5

Redmi Note 4 price in India starts from Rs. 9,999 (2GB/32GB), Rs. 10,999 (3GB/32GB) and Rs. 12,999 (4GB/64GB).