Xiaomi Redmi 4 is the legendary budget smartphone of 2017, which is still in demand due to the balanced characteristics, metal body and the ability to install custom firmware. However, it is not so easy to buy it today: the model is long since discontinued, and the market is full of fakes, re-imbroidered “gray” devices and devices with a worn battery. In this guide, we will analyze where you can find the original Redmi 4, how to distinguish it from a clone and what to look for when buying used.
It's important to understand that the new Redmi 4 is a rarity in 2026, and most of the products on the market are either refurbished or handheld. We've analyzed all the current ways of buying, including Xiaomi's official channels, trusted marketplaces and niche geek sites, so you can make an informed choice.
Xiaomi Official Channels: Is There a Chance to Find a New Redmi 4?
To be sure, Xiaomi no longer sells the Redmi 4 through official stores, the model was discontinued in 2018, and the remains of the warehouses sold out even earlier.
First, in some Asian countries (such as India or Indonesia), you can still find sealed Redmi 4 boxes from local distributors, but buying from abroad can be dangerous.
- 📦 Customs duties (up to 30% of the value) + VAT)
- 🔌 Lack of guarantee in Russia/CIS
- ⚡ Problems with the power adapter (different socket standards)
Second, Xiaomi's official website sometimes features refurbished devices (Xiaomi Recommerce program), but Redmi 4 is extremely rare, usually newer models. If you're lucky, you'll get:
- ✅ 12 months warranty (as for a new device)
- ✅ Tested and repaired device
- ✅ Original firmware without viruses
⚠️ Warning: Be careful about offerings of “new” Redmi 4s on AliExpress or eBay at suspiciously low prices, often repackaged used devices or fakes under the Xiaomi brand (e.g. Redmi). 4A in a Redmi 4 case).
If you are interested in originality and warranty, consider alternatives such as Redmi. 9A POCO C50, They are not much more expensive but supported by the manufacturer.
2.Trued marketplaces: where to buy used Redmi 4 with a guarantee
The most realistic way to buy Redmi 4 in 2026 is to buy it from hand at large marketplaces, and the main advantage of marketplaces is to protect the buyer (refund if the product does not match the description).
| The playground | Average price (b/y) | Pluses | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avito | 3 500 — 5 000 ₽ | Many offers, you can bargain, self-delivery | High risk of counterfeiting, no guarantee of return |
| yula | 4 000 — 6 000 ₽ | Convenient filter as of, chat with the seller | Lots of dealers, prices are overpriced. |
| Ozon / Wildberries | 5 000 — 7 500 ₽ | Return guarantee 14 days, inspection of goods | Prices are higher than the market, few original offers |
| Facebook Marketplace | 3 000 — 4 500 ₽ | You can find rare modifications (for example, Redmi 4 Pro) | It is difficult to verify the originality, scammers. |
Advice on choice on marketplaces:
- 🔍 Check it out. IMEI The original Redmi 4 must have the IMEI, starting with 86... or 35....
- 📸 Ask for a photo of the box, check and insides of the device (especially the motherboard). MSM8937 (chipset and Qualcomm logo.
- 🔋 The new Redmi 4 battery has a capacity of 4100 mAh, but after 3-4 years of operation it drops to 2500-3000 mAh.
If the seller refuses to provide photographs or IMEI — Also, avoid sentences that say "Chinese version," "no box," or "no firmware is not standard.
3. Niche sites for enthusiasts: where to look for rare Xiaomi
If you need a Redmi 4 Not just as a budget phone, but for custom firmware, moding or collection, it's worth looking at specialized resources. They often sell devices in perfect condition, with an unlocked bootloader or already sewn under the radar. LineageOS/Pixel Experience.
Top.-3 geek-room:
- 🛠️ 4PDA (Buy/Sell section, where vendors are usually technically versed and can provide complete information about the condition of the device, above average prices, but minimal risk of forgery.
- 🤖 XDA Developers Forum (Marketplace) is an international platform where rare modifications are often sold (for example, Redmi). 4 Prime 3/32 GB. Minus: delivery from abroad.
At such sites, be sure to specify:
- Battery state (number of charging cycles).
- Unlocking status of the bootloader (if you plan to firmware).
- Original charger (fakes can damage your phone)
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Before buying on 4PDA or XDA Check the reputation of the seller: look at his message history and reviews. Fraudsters usually register recently and sell only one lot.
If you are buying Redmi 4 for firmware, pay attention to the modification:
- Redmi 4 (Santoni) is the most common version with Snapdragon 435 chipset.
- Redmi 4X (santoni – similar in hardware, but may have a different display.
- Redmi 4 Prime is a rare version with 3/32 GB memory and improved camera.
Check the model with the seller, as the firmware for them may be different!
4. Originality Check: How Not to Buy a Fake
Xiaomi Redmi 4 is one of the most counterfeited models, and scammers often pass it off as:
- 📱 Clones on MediaTek (such as UMiDIGI or Doogee in Redmi case).
- 🔄 Redmi's cross-stitched 4A (They have a weaker iron and a different camera).
How to recognize the original:
IMEI It starts with 86... or 35...|On the box is a hologram Xiaomi with a unique code|The settings indicate the model number MZB6065IN (for the Indian version)|The camera has a resolution of 13 MP (clones often have 8 or 5 MP)|The motherboard has the inscription Qualcomm MSM8937-->
The most reliable way to check is to install the official firmware through the Mi Flash Tool, and if the phone accepts the firmware for the santoni (codenamed Redmi 4) it's the original, and if it doesn't, you're looking at a fake or a re-flashed device.
⚠️ Note: Some sellers deliberately stitch clones under the MIUI, Check the model number in the Settings menu → The phone. → The original model should start with Redmi 4 or 2016).
If you have already bought a phone and doubt its originality, run the test through the engineering menu:
- Dial ##4636###.
- Go to the tab Information about the phone.
- Check the Baseband version and Kernel version lines – the original should mention Qualcomm.
5.Redmi 4 Prices in 2026: How Much Does the Original Cost?
The cost of Xiaomi Redmi 4 varies greatly depending on the condition, configuration and region. Below are the current prices for June 2026 (in rubles):
| Status. | Price (₽) | What's included | Where to find |
|---|---|---|---|
| New (sealed) | 8 000 — 12 000 | Box, ZU, cable, film | Overseas Shopping, eBay |
| B/w (excellent) | 4 500 — 6 000 | No box, battery 80%+ | Avito, 4PDA |
| B/y (satisfactory) | 3 000 — 4 500 | Scratches, battery 60-70% | Yula, Facebook Marketplace |
| On parts/failure | 1 500 — 2 500 | Without warranty, there may be defects. | Telegram channels, XDA |
If you see Redmi 4 under 3,000 ₽ — It's almost certainly a fake or a stolen device, and the average market price for a used device in good condition is 4,000 to 5,000. ₽. For this money you will get a phone with a working battery (2-3 hours of screen time), without serious scratches on the screen and with the original firmware.
Should we overpay for the new Redmi 4? Probably not. 8,000-12,000 ₽ You can buy a more modern smartphone (for example, Redmi). 10A POCO M4 Pro, which will be faster, longer to hold charge and support the latest versions of Android.
6.Redmi 4 alternatives: what to buy instead in 2026
If you're looking for a budget smartphone for calls, social media, and light gaming, instead of Redmi 4, we've got 5 newer models that are priced at the same price, and we've picked up 5 alternatives that you can buy with a new guarantee:
| Model | Price (₽) | Pluses | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi 10A | 6 990 | New, Android 12, battery 5000 mAh | Weak processor (Helio) G25) |
| Poco C50 | 7 990 | Helio chipset A22, good camera for budget | Plastic case |
| Realme C30 | 6 490 | Compact, Android 11 Go | Little memory (2/32 GB) |
| Nokia G21 | 9 990 | 3 Years of Updates, Android 12 | More expensive than Redmi 4 |
| Samsung Galaxy M13 (b/w) | 8 000 | 4/64 GB, AMOLED-screen | Exynos processor (can brake) |
If you need Redmi 4 for firmware only (for example, under LineageOS or GrapheneOS), then the alternatives depend on the task:
- 📱 For custom firmware, it is better to take Redmi Note 4/4X (Snapdragon version – it has more community and support TWRP.
- 🔧 For moding iron (for example, changing the screen) is suitable Redmi 5 – it has a similar architecture, but better camera.
- 🔋 For experiments with the battery, you can consider Redmi 6 - it has a removable battery.
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If your goal is just a budget phone, buying a Redmi 4 in 2026 is not justified. For the same money, you can get a new smartphone with a warranty, better performance and up-to-date software.
7. Buying Tips: How to Save Money and Not Lose
If you are considering buying a Xiaomi Redmi 4, follow these guidelines to minimize the risks:
- Buy only hand-held in person, avoid prepayment and mailings - too high a risk of getting a brick or a fake.
- Check it out. IMEI Use services like SNDeeP to make sure your phone is not blacklisted (stolen or locked).
- Test all functions on site: 📶 Network (both) SIM-map, 4G) 📷 Camera (front and main) 🔊 Speakers and microphone (call, voice recording) 🔋 Battery (run the test in) AIDA64 or AccuBattery)
Bargain.
Redmi 4
4 000–4 500 ₽
If you are buying a phone for firmware, check with the seller:
- If not, unlocking can take up to 720 hours (by Xiaomi rules).
- What version? MIUI Old versions (below) MIUI 10) may not support modern applications.
- Is there root access? If so, the phone could have been used for mining or botnets.
What do you do if you buy a fake?
And one last piece of advice: if you're not sure about yourself, take a tech-savvy person with you to make a deal, and that'll keep you from buying a cat in a bag.