Xiaomi Redmi 4X is one of the most popular budget smartphones of 2017, which is still actively used due to its reliability and balanced characteristics. However, over time, many owners have questions about the correct charging of the device: what power supply to use, whether it is possible to charge from powerful adapters, how to extend the battery life and what to do if the original charging is lost.
In this article, we will explore all the nuances of charging Redmi 4X, including the specifications of the original charger, compatible analogues, and give practical recommendations for operation, pay special attention to the myths about “fast charging”, which often mislead users, and explain why this smartphone does not support modern standards like Quick Charge or Power Delivery.
If you’re looking for an answer to the question of whether it’s possible to charge a Redmi 4X from a Xiaomi smartphone of another model or a laptop adapter, you’ll find here not only the answer, but also an understanding of how this will affect the battery in the long run.
Technical characteristics of the original charging Redmi 4X
The original charger, which came bundled with the Xiaomi Redmi 4X, has the following options:
- 🔌 Type of connector: Micro-USB (not USB-C!)
- ⚡ Exit voltage: 5V
- 🔋 Maximum current: 2A (2000 m)
- 📦 Power: 10W (5V × 2A)
- 🏭 Manufacturer: Xiaomi (marking on the body: MDY-08-EM or similar)
Importantly, the Redmi 4X is equipped with a 4100 mAh battery, and the original adapter is designed for optimal charging time without overheating. Using higher-current power supplies (such as 2.4A or 3A) will not speed up the process, since the smartphone is limited to a power controller at level 2A.
The body of the original adapter also contains certification marks such as CE or RoHS, which confirm compliance with European safety standards, and counterfeits often do not have such markings or imitate them poorly.
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If the charger has a current of 2A, but the smartphone charges slowly, check the cable – often the problem lies in a damaged or poor-quality cord, not in the power supply.
Can I use chargers from other devices?
Many users are wondering if you can charge the Redmi 4X from other gadgets adapters. The answer depends on the characteristics of the charger.
- ✅ Allowed: Charging with parameters 5V/2A or 5V/1A (For example, from old models Xiaomi, Samsung, Nokia, the smartphone will take only the current that supports.
- ⚠️ With caution: adapters 5V/2.4A or 9V/2A (For example, from the Redmi Note 4 They won't damage the device, but they won't speed up charging because of the limitations of the controller.
- ❌ Not recommended: Power supplies with higher voltage 5V (for example, 12V from a laptop) or cheap "free" charging from supermarkets - they can damage the battery.
Particular attention should be paid to charging with support for fast protocols (for example, Quick Charge 3.0 or USB Power Delivery). Even if you connect the Redmi 4X to such an adapter, the smartphone will charge in standard 5V/2A mode, as it does not support these technologies.
⚠️ Warning: If you are using a charge from another device and notice that the smartphone is heating up strongly during charging, turn it off immediately.
How to distinguish the original charging from a fake
Fake chargers for Xiaomi are often indistinguishable from the original ones, but can pose dangers ranging from slow charging to short circuiting.
| Sign. | Original | Fake. |
|---|---|---|
| 🏷️ Marking | Clear, with complete information (model, voltage, current, certificates) | Blurred, no details or with errors (e.g. 5V 200mA instead of 2000mA) |
| 🔍 Plastic quality | Smooth, matte, no burrs. | Woolly, with uneven edges or a sharp chemical smell |
| ⚖️ Weight. | Heavy (about 30–40 g), metal felt inside | Light (10-20 g), empty to the touch |
| 🔌 Connector. USB | Tightly holds the cable, contacts are brilliant | Shattered connector, dimmed or rusty contacts |
| 💰 Price. | From 500 to 800. ₽ shop-in | Cheap 300. ₽ (Especially in markets or in questionable online stores) |
One of the most reliable ways to check is to connect the charger to the Redmi 4X and run an app like Ampere (available on Google Play), which will show the actual charging current, and if the value is much lower than 1500-2000 mA with the battery dead, the adapter is likely fake or faulty.
⚠️ Warning: Fake chargers often don't have any protection against voltage drops, and using them can cause not only battery damage, but also fire. If you notice that the adapter housing warms even without a connected phone, replace it immediately.
The effect of the cable type on the charging speed
Many users overlook that charging speed is affected not only by the power supply, but also by the cable.The original Xiaomi cable for the Redmi 4X has the following features:
- 🔗 Type: Micro-USB 2.0 with thickened contacts for better current wire.
- 📏 Length: usually 1 m (longer cables may reduce current due to resistance).
- 🛡️ Protection: shielded wires to reduce interference and heat.
Cheap cables often have thin wires (e.g. 28 AWG instead of 24 AWG), which results in:
- ⚡ Slow charging (current drops to 0.5–1A).
- 🔥 Overheating of a cable or smartphone connector.
- 🔌 Unstable connection (smartphone is charged, then no).
If you lose the original cable, choose certified analogues with the labeling USB 2.0 High-Speed and wire cross-section is not thinner than 24 AWG. Famous brands: Anker, Baseus, UGREEN.
☑️ How to Choose a Quality Cable for Redmi 4X
How to Charge Redmi 4X to Extend Battery Life
The Redmi 4X battery is lithium-polymer (Li-Po) and it depends on its mode of operation.
- Avoid full discharge. The optimal charging range is 20-80%. Regular discharges to 0% reduce the lifespan.
- Don't keep charging all night. Once you reach 100%, turn off the power, as a constant high voltage charge degrades the battery.
- Use an original or certified adapter. Cheap charging can deliver unstable voltages, which accelerates wear.
- Avoid overheating. Do not charge your smartphone in direct sunlight or during intense exertion (games, video shooting).
Critical information: If the Redmi 4X battery swells (the body of the smartphone has become convex), immediately stop using it! Bloating indicates battery damage and risk of fire. Replace the battery at the service center.
You can use apps like AccuBattery (available on Google Play) to monitor battery health, and it shows the actual battery capacity, the number of charging cycles and the wear rate, and if the capacity has dropped below 80% of the original capacity (~3200 mAh), you should consider replacing it.
What to do if the Redmi 4X is not charging?
Frequent Myths About Charging Redmi 4X
There are many myths surrounding smartphone charging, and we'll look at the most common ones in the context of the Redmi 4X:
- 🔋 Myth 1: "You have to completely discharge the battery once a month to calibrate." Reality: This is true for old Ni-MH batteries. Lithium-polymer (Li-Po) in Redmi 4X They don't require "training." On the contrary, deep discharges shorten their lifespan.
- ⚡ Myth 2: "Laptop charger (USB 2.0) It's ruining the battery: USB-port 5V/0.5A, It's safe, but it's very slow, and it doesn't harm the battery, but it's also inconvenient for regular use.
- 📵 Myth 3: "You can't use your phone while charging." Reality: You can, but intense loads (games, videos) increase heat, which speeds up battery wear).
Another popular misconception is that the first charge should be 12 hours. This has nothing to do with reality. Modern smartphones, including the Redmi 4X, have controllers that automatically turn off power when they reach 100%. Long-term charging does not provide any benefits, but only increases heat.
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Lithium polymer batteries are not afraid of undercharging, but high temperatures and deep discharges, and the optimal operating mode is to keep the charge at 30-80% and avoid overheating.
What to do if the original charger breaks down?
If the original adapter or cable has fallen into disrepair, you have a few options:
- Official Xiaomi charging can be found in branded stores (for example, Mi Store) or on AliExpress from trusted sellers: ~600–900 ₽ per set (block) + cable).
- Choose a certified counterpart: Anker, Baseus or UGREEN offer adapters 5V/2A Micro-USB compatible with Redmi 4X. Price: 400–700 ₽.
- External batteries with 5V/2A output (e.g. Xiaomi Power Bank 2) are a good alternative, especially when traveling.
If you choose to buy a similar one, avoid "universal" chargers with adjustable voltage (for example, 5V/9V/12V). They often operate unstable in 5V mode, which can lead to current surges. The optimal choice is an adapter with a fixed output of 5V/2A.
⚠️ Warning: Never use chargers with damaged cable or bare wires, which can short-circuit and cause not only your smartphone to fail, but also the socket.