The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4G a budget friendly 4G smartphone is now available in India for Rs. 9,999. This is a single SIM handset powered by snapdragon quad core processor. It is running MiUi based on Android 4.4.2 over a 5.5 inch screen with HD resolution.
Box Pack
All of the Xiaomi handsets come with the same box packing style. Inside you will find the Note 4G handset, 3100 mAh battery, data cable, user guide, warranty statement and travel charger. Earphone is not included. SAR Value as mentioned on the box : 0.46 W/kg (Max).
Design, display and OS
The handset looks exactly similar to the Redmi Note 3G variant. The Note 3G is dual SIM whereas the 4G is with a single SIM slot. Build quality is very good, plastic body with glossy finish back panel. Weight with battery is 186 grams and dimensions are 78.79 x 153.73 x 9.15 (mm).
Power and volume rocker are placed on the right side, micro USB port at the bottom and 3.5mm audio jack on the top. This is a single SIM handset (normal / regular SIM slot with 4G LTE support) and there is a micro SD card slot too.
The touch screen is 5.5 inches supporting 1280 x 720 pixels resolution. Colour reproduction is very good and touch is smooth / responsive. Screen is scratch resistant. There is LED notification (you can select the LED colour) and the Note 4G comes loaded with gyro, magnetic, step counter, light, accelerometer and proximity sensors. Step counter does work probably might work with some fitness applications.
The Note 4G is running MiUi based on Android 4.4.2.
Memory and Storage
This handset comes with 2GB RAM and 8GB storage. On the first boot you will get about 1.3GB free RAM and about 4.5GB is the space available for apps. You cannot install apps on the external storage. OTG is supported.
Performance
The handset houses the qualcomm snapdragon MSM8928 quad core cortex A7 chipset clocked a 1.6GHz coupled with Adreno 305 GPU. The hardware is powerful and the performance is lag free. However I did encounter low benchmark scores initially and there was a lot of lag when playing high end games.
The reason was that the handset by default is set to balanced setting mode, when I switched to performance mode I got higher benchmark scores and the game play was smoother at highest visual mode.
Benchmark with balanced mode
| App | Result |
| Quadrant | 5614 |
| Antutu | 16319 |
| Vellamo | Metal (860) Multi core (1076) Browser (1770) |
| Nenamark 2 | 53.9 fps |
| Multi Touch | 10 point |
Benchmark with performance mode
| App | Result |
| Quadrant | 11350 |
| Antutu | 19950 |
| Vellamo | Metal (863) Multi core (1085) Browser (1962) |
| Nenamark 2 | 56.8 fps |
| Multi Touch | 10 point |
Gaming
I installed Asphalt 8 and MC5, both of these games got installed on internal storage. At first the Asphalt 8 was not at all playable (there was a lot of lag) in high, medium and low graphics options. The game was playable in very low visual quality mode. MC5 was also playable but you would feel it lagging.
I selected performance mode and tried playing the game again. It worked, Asphalt 8 was playable in the highest visual quality mode and MC5 play was also better than before.
Camera
There is 13MP AF camera with flash on the rear and 5MP on the front. is If you remember my Redmi 1S review with reference to the camera lags, well I faced the same on the Note 4G. The camera will work without any issues as long as the battery temperature is below 35 degrees. But it doesn’t take much time for the temperature to raise to above 35 degrees and that is when the camera starts to lag heavily. It will take it own time focusing the subject and what ever you see on the screen (the lags) the same will be recorded.
Camera quality is good, but as mentioned there is some issue with the camera part. I even downloaded the Google camera and was facing the same issue on that app too. Check the sample video (1080p) and images below. I have uploaded two videos that I shot using the handset to give you an idea of what happens at different battery temperature.
Xiaomi will be rolling out updates to fix this camera issue.
Others
No other issues found. Heat up is normal, did not find the temperature going above 45 degree. Call quality, sound is good. No issues with 3G ( I don’t have any 4G services in my area), Wi-Fi, GPS and Bluetooth.
Battery
There is a 3100 mAh removable battery that gives a usage time of about 5 to 6 hours with moderate to heavy usage.
As mentioned above performance improves considerably when using the performance mode and it does not have any noticeable impact on the battery performance.
| Task | Time | Battery drop (%) (max temp) |
| Running Benchmark apps | 19 minutes | 5% (35) |
| FHD video playback with Wi-Fi on + full brightness | 24 minutes | 7% (39) |
| Asphalt 8 + MC5 GamePlay | 18 minutes | 6% (39) |
| Asphalt 8 + MC5 GamePlay (performance mode) | 17 minutes | 5% (38) |
| Full wall Charge | 2 hours 36 minutes | 16% to 100% |
Verdict
Everything was nice until the handsets started lagging when playing games and when using the camera application. By switching power settings from balanced to performance the gaming issue can be resolved. There is still issue with the camera, I believe a software issue and probably Xiaomi will roll out updates to fix it. (I am not sure if I got a defective unit, I would want to check with other users who bought this handset and see if they are facing the same issues that I did in this review).
Between Redmi Note 3G and the Note 4G, if I ignore the 4G part, the Redmi Note 3G seems a better option.
You can buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4G from Flipkart or from Airtel gallery for Rs. 9,999.
Note 4G Image Gallery
Rear camera sample images
Front camera sample images
Manu Pranav
My phone get heated on the camera part quickly when using normally. I updated the software and the apps but the problem still continues, plz give me a solution.
Gogi Rana
Try a factory reset that will erase all the data / apps you had installed and will bring the handset back to the same setting when you opened the box for the first time. After that use the handset / update the apps and do not install any new apps, just use the handset and see if you are facing the same issue.
Manu pranav
GOGI SIR,
i tried the factory data reset but the problem still continues. . .plz give me a solution sir. ..
Gogi Rana
Try one more thing – remove the SD card if you are using and see if it makes any difference. If issue is same then visit service centre and get the handset checked.
Manu
Hi GOGI, I bought this phone 1 month ago from flipkart. When am using this phone normally it is heating on the camera part I didn’t played games or used heavy. Sir plz tell me a solution.
Gogi Rana
First of all keep the phone updated, if there is any update available for the apps you have installed or for the apps that were already installed – updated it. Also check if there is any software OS update available, if yes then update that too. In battery settings set the phone to balanced mode.
Manu pranav
Gogi sir
I have an update of Miui 6.6.1.0
My current version is 6.3.5
I heard that Miui will release miui7 on aug 19… Will I get the update on augest 19???
Manu pranav
GOGI SIR
I have the update of Miui 6.6.1.0
Miui will release Miui 7 in augest 19 does this update avAilable for my phone??? Plz tell me sir
Nil
Update to MiUi 6 is must before using this phone.
I was facing same issue however it seems to have resolved in MiUi 6
In the camera setting select picture quality to high.
The problem with MiUi 6 is app installations and data stored in internal memory. Even whatsapp media getting downloaded to internal memory.
If you purchase from mi website you get screen guard and sim tray free.
If you purchase from other website then you have to register your phone to mi website then you may get the freebies, however i have not yet got the freebies.
miuiSucks
Perhaps a mini-review of the phone with MIUI 6 can help us all here?
the famous camera lag, heating issues, stability- this is what is all asked from you!
ty
kshitij
I am facing camera issue, it start hanging when I record a video.
jafar
Was this issue fixed.
Akshay Chavan
Which glass is used in redmi note 4g for scratch-proof ???
Akshay Chavan
It’s camera glass is also scratch-proof ?
sunil majhi
hum jab camra khol rha hu to phone hang ho ja rha h… koi solution bTa do plzzzz.. .??
anirban mandal
hi mr rana,plz tell me how to connect the note 4g and redmi note to my pc (running windows xp).every time i connect them via data cable,some chinese writing appears and nothing can i understand.plz help me out.
Pavitr Kumar
How fast is the gps lock?.. will it lock indoors? I am a little concerned is it an old type of gps where you need to place phone outside car window for successful gps lock? Overall how good is it for navigation?
Gogi Rana
Lock works outdoor and amazingly fast. It works from within the car.
mahesh
my redmi note 4g gets heated too soon and it lags too v much when heated especially during sunny noons.
it lags every time in sunny weather outdoors….any solution?
Anooj
All those who face camera lags video recording lags game lags overheatings etc…..
HEAD OVER TO THIS THREAD!!!! and u r done
i fixed mine succesfully!!
http://en.miui.com/thread-91121-1-1.html
devendra Pawaskar
My phone is getting heat up at the ear end. place do need full.
jessica
Hi, the focus of my redmi 4g note camera is very bad. Eg, if I click a close up of a flower, the details are not very clear. Similarly if I were to click a pic of a newspaper, the print is illegible. Also when I play songs on the music player they sometimes pause for4-5 secs abd then continue to play. Is this normal or do I have a defective piece?
Gogi Rana
If you are using a micro SD card try removing the card and see how it performs (could be the SD card defect). Try resetting the camera app and see. Last option is to factory reset and check if you face the same issue, if yes then it is defective.
VICTOR Bhowmik
Sir I am also facing problem like u.. My antutu score is like you.. When I am playing games it lags very much. ..