Xiaomi Redmi 4X has become one of the most iconic models in the company’s history, setting a new bar for the budget segment of the market. Users often ask not only its parameters, but also the exact date of the presentation to understand the age of the device and the relevance of its technical solutions. This gadget was introduced in early 2017 and quickly gained popularity thanks to the successful combination of a metal case, a stand-alone battery and an affordable price.
The story behind the device is remarkable because it has come on the heels of growing demand for compact but powerful devices. Unlike larger phablets, the Redmi 4X offered comfortable one-handed handling. Let's get into the chronology and technical details that made it a legend of its time.
Official release date and start of sales
The presentation of the smartphone took place on February 28, 2017. It was on this day in Beijing that Xiaomi officially introduced a new product that was to replace the popular Redmi 3 series. The Chinese start of sales was scheduled for March 3, 2017, which allowed the first enthusiasts to get the device almost immediately after the announcement.
Global and Russian sales began a few months later, with Russia officially launching in May 2017, a delay typical of the period as the company initially saturated China’s domestic market, but demand was so high that “gray” imports began long before official shipments.
Importantly, the device came in three colors: classic black, gold and rare gray (Dark Grey), which was often scarce in the first months of sales, and the popularity of the model was due to the fact that it offered mid-range characteristics for the price of a budgetary.
⚠️ Note: When buying a used device, pay attention to the year of production indicated in the box or in the system menu. Smartphones released at the end of the model life cycle (late 2017 – early 2018) may have batteries with already reduced capacity due to long storage.
The period of active sales lasted about a year and a half, after which the model was gradually replaced by successors from the Redmi 5 series and Redmi Note 5. Nevertheless, even years after the release, the device remains in demand in the secondary market as a reliable device for basic tasks.
Technical specifications and iron
Based on Xiaomi Redmi 4X It's an 8-core chipset made with 28-nanometer process technology, and it was considered very energy efficient for its time, although it didn't reach the flagship performance solutions in heavy gaming. Graphics accelerator Adreno 505 provided smooth interface and simple 3D-applications.
The amount of RAM varied depending on the version: 2 GB or 3 GB of the LPDDR3 type. Built-in storage was 16 GB or 32 GB, respectively, with the possibility of expanding microSD cards to 128 GB. The screen of the device had a diagonal of 5 inches and a resolution of 1280 × 720 pixels, which for such a diagonal provided excellent picture clarity without unnecessary load on the processor.
The camera became a separate pride of developers. The 13MP core module with f/2.2 aperture and phase autofocus allowed for high-quality images in good light. The 5MP front camera with Beauty Mode was aimed at selfie lovers. Below is a table with basic specifications for easy comparison.
| Parameter | Meaning | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Snapdragon 435 | 8 cores, up to 1.4 GHz |
| RAM | 2/3GB | Type of LPDDR3 |
| Built-in memory | 16/32GB | MicroSD card slot |
| Screen. | 5.0" IPS | Resolution 720p |
| Battery | 4100mAh | Non-removable, 10W charging |
The 4,100 mAh battery, coupled with an energy-efficient screen and processor, provided up to two days of active life, was one of the model’s main trump cards, allowing users to avoid carrying a power bank with them.
Design, ergonomics and materials
The Redmi 4X's look was revolutionary for the budget class. While competitors were using plastic all the time, Xiaomi offered an all-metal aluminum alloy body. The back had a matte coating that didn't collect fingerprints and felt good in the hand.
The layout of the controls was classic for the time, with the fingerprint scanner sitting on the back of the camera, running fast and supporting additional functions like controlling the camera shutter or answering a swipe call. On the side faces there are loudness and power buttons, as well as a connector for SIM-map.
⚠️ Warning: The metal case, despite its premium value, has one drawback: it transmits a radio signal worse than plastic. Make sure that the antenna inserts on the ends of the case are not damaged, otherwise there may be problems with receiving the network. 4G and Wi-Fi.
The dimensions of the device were 139.2 × 69.9 × 8.7 mm at a weight of 145 grams. This made the smartphone very compact by modern standards. One hand could easily reach any corner of the 5-inch screen. However, the lack of protective glass (used 2.5D glass on top of the matrix) made the screen vulnerable to scratches without additional film.
The secrets of the Redmi 4X build
Software and versions of MIUI
At the time of the release of Redmi 4X was running Android 6.0 Marshmallow operating system with a proprietary shell MIUI 8. Later the device received an update to Android 7.0 Nougat and MIUI 9, and then MIUI 10. However, this official support for the main versions of Android ended.
The MIUI shell offered wide customization, but it had its own features, such as the lack of a separate app menu in early versions and the presence of advertising in system applications, which for many users became the reason for installing third-party launchers or custom firmware.
The system allowed for flexible notification and power saving, allowing for an isolated environment in the phone that was convenient for separating work and personal data, but over time, newer versions of the apps stopped working properly on the older version of Android.
☑️ Checking the status of the software when buying b / u
Current versions of banking applications and some services may not be supported at this time, due to outdated security certificates and API versions, and users are encouraged to use alternative payment methods or less demanding versions of the software.
Camera: shooting possibilities
The main camera module, despite the stated 13 MP, used interpolation or binning pixels depending on the shooting mode. During the day, the pictures were detailed with good color reproduction. However, under-lighting was affected by the lack of optical stabilization and low aperture of the lens.
The camera interface in MIUI offered a variety of modes: manual (Pro), panorama, timelapse and document scanner. Video was shot at 1080p at 30 frames per second. Video stabilization was purely software, so when walking the picture could tremble.
The f/2.2 front camera did a good job of portraits in good light, the Beauty Mode could be manually adjusted to adjust the amount of skin smoothing and facial shape change, and was more than enough for instant messenger video calls.
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To improve nighttime shooting on Redmi 4X, use a tripod and manual settings (Pro) mode, setting minimum ISO and long shutter speeds, which will reduce digital noise.
Communication, networking and communications
The smartphone supported the work of two SIM-Nano-SIM cards standby, the slot was a combination: the second card could be replaced with a microSD card, but not used simultaneously. 2G, 3G and 4G LTE, What provided high speed mobile Internet.
The Wi-Fi module operated in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, providing a stable connection. USB-The port (version 2.0) was limited, making the process of copying large files to the computer rather slow. Bluetooth version 4.2 allowed you to connect wireless headphones and fitness trackers.
Navigation was carried out through the systems. GPS, GLONASS And BeiDou, which took 10 to 30 seconds to get off the ground, and it was a great way to get a navigator in the car, but it didn't have to be a very cold launch. NFC-The module deprived users of the possibility of contactless payment.
Relevance of the model in 2026-2026
Years after the release of the Redmi 4X, it remains an interesting device, but as a second phone or gadget for a child, with enough performance for instant messengers, navigators, YouTube and simple games, but today’s heavy-duty applications can run slowly or never run at all.
The main problem is the lack of security updates and a new version of Android, which makes the device potentially vulnerable when used on open Wi-Fi networks for banking, but as a music player, reader or caller, it serves faithfully.
The price of the secondary market has fallen to symbolic values, making it worth buying only on a very tight budget.If you want a reliable bell ringer with a good screen and battery, this option still has the right to live.