Why would anyone want to see Xiaomi Mi 4 in 2026?
Smartphone Xiaomi Mi 4, released in 2014, today seems a relic of the era of Android 4.4 KitKat and the new model. 3G-Yet, there are still requests for its value, and for good reason, it has become a cult device for collectors, retro tech enthusiasts, and those looking for an unkillable phone for their grandmother or as a backup device. But how much is Xiaomi Mi 4 really worth today, where to find it and what to look for when buying it?
In this article, we will analyze the current prices for new (if they still exist) and used models, compare them with modern budget smartphones, and warn about the pitfalls. Spoiler: the average price of a used Xiaomi Mi 4 in 2026 ranges from 1,500 to 4,500 rubles, but buying it for everyday use is a bad idea.
Xiaomi Mi 4: What is the “beast” of 2014?
To understand why the Mi 4 was once considered a flagship, let’s remember its “stuffing”:
- 📱 Screen: 5" IPS, permit 1920×1080 (Full HD), 441 ppi - for its time, excellent quality, but today it loses even to public sector employees. AMOLED.
- 🚀 Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 (4 cores, 2.5 GHz) – the top chip of 2014, but today weaker than the Redmi 9A 7,000 rubles.
- 🧠 RAM/ROM: 2/3 GB of RAM and 16/64 GB built-in (without a slot for a memory card!).
- 📸 Camera: main camera 13 MPP (f/1.8), frontal 8 MP - by modern standards is weak, but not bad for its time.
- 🔋 Battery: 3080 mAh (non-removable) – today it is less than most smartphones.
The “chips” of the time: aluminum case (a rarity for Android phones in 2014), support for 4G (but only in the Mi 4 LTE version), and MIUI 5 based on Android 4.4. Updates to MIUI 8 were, but then stop. Today, this smartphone does not support most modern applications (WhatsApp, Telegram, banking applications) due to the outdated version of Android.
How much will the new Xiaomi Mi 4 cost in 2026?
Let's be honest: the new Xiaomi Mi 4 is no longer on sale, the last batches from warehouses sold out years earlier, and Xiaomi itself has long since withdrawn the model from production, but in the secondary market, sometimes there are "new" devices - usually these are:
- 📦 Unpacked phones from old stores (most often in China or Hong Kong).
- 🏭 Marriage or returns that were in stock and sold as "new old stock».
- 🎁 Gift sets with accessories (for example, in a box with original headphones or a case).
Prices for these lots range from 5,000 to 12,000 rubles, but buying them is a lottery.
| Source | Price (rupe) | Risks. |
|---|---|---|
| AliExpress (Chinese sellers) | 5 000–8 000 | High chance of getting a phone with a dead battery or a broken 4G module |
| eBay (Overseas Collectors) | 8 000–12 000 | Expensive shipping, possible customs problems |
| Yandex Market (Russian resellers) | 6 000–9 000 | It is often sold as a “new” phone, although it has been unpacked. |
⚠️ Warning: If you are offered a “new” Xiaomi Mi 4 for less than 5,000 rubles, this is almost certainly a scam. Most often, under the guise of a new one, they sell restored phones with a replaced battery or body.
Xiaomi Mi 4: where to look and what to look at
Most of the aftermarket offerings are 2014-2017 phones that have already been in the hands of 2-3 owners, and their average price depends on condition, configuration and region:
- 🔋 With a discharged battery (does not hold charge): 1000-2500 rubles.
- 🔄 With a replaced battery (but without warranty): 2,500-4000 rubles.
- 📱 In perfect condition (without scratches, with a box): 4000-6000 rubles.
- 💎 Collector's versions (for example, with a gold case): up to 10 000 rubles.
Where to look:
- 🛒 Avito is the biggest choice, but a lot of scammers.
- 🌍 Facebook Marketplace – sometimes come across lots from collectors.
- 🤝 Thematic forums (e.g, 4PDA Xiaomi-Club – there is less risk of running into fraud.
Battery status (turn on the phone without charging and see how long it lasts)
The performance of all buttons and connectors
Absence of screen glitches (broken pixels, yellowness)
4G support (if needed, check the model: Mi 4 or Mi 4 LTE)
Original box and documents (for collectors)-->
⚠️ Warning: If a salesman refuses to show a phone in working condition or shows it only in a photo, this is a reason to be wary.
Comparison with modern state employees: is it worth overpaying for retro?
Even in 2026, for 5,000-7000 rubles, you can buy a new smartphone that will be hundreds of times more powerful than the Xiaomi Mi 4.
| Model | Price (rupe) | Processor | RAM/ROM | Battery | Android |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Mi 4 (2014) | 2 000–6 000 | Snapdragon 801 | 2/3 GB + 16/64 GB | 3080 mAh | 4.4 (no updates) |
| Redmi 9A (2020) | 6 000–8 000 | Helio G25 | 2/3 GB + 32/64 GB | 5,000 mAh | 10 (with updates) |
| Poco C50 (2022) | 7 000–9 000 | Helio A22 | 2/3 GB + 32/64 GB | 5,000 mAh | 12 (Go Edition) |
As you can see from the table, even the cheapest new smartphone outperforms the Mi 4 in every respect except build quality.
- ✅ Durability: aluminum case withstands falls better than plastic public sector workers.
- ✅ Retro Games: Snapdragon 801 can run emulators PS1, Nintendo 64 or older Android games (e.g., the game, GTA San Andreas).
- ✅ Collector value: for Xiaomi fans, this is one of the brand’s iconic phones.
💡
If you need a phone for calls and instant messengers, it is better to take a used Redmi Note 4X (2017) for the same 4000-5000 rubles. It supports modern applications and has a removable battery.
Where to buy spare parts for Xiaomi Mi 4 and how much it costs
If you are trying to restore the old Mi 4 or use it as a spare parts donor, here are the approximate prices for components:
- 🔋 Battery (original or analogue): 800-1 500 rubles.
- 📱 Screen with touchscreen: 2000-3 500 rubles.
- 📸 Main camera: 1000-2000 rubles.
- 🔌 Nest charging: 300-800 rubles.
- 🖥️ Motherboard (b/u): 3000–5,000 rubles.
Where to look:
- 🛠️ AliExpress is a cheap analogue, but a long wait (3-6 weeks).
- 🏬 Local service centers – sometimes there are stocks of original parts.
- 🤝 Groups in Telegram (for example, “Xiaomi spare parts”) – here sell used components from disassembled phones.
⚠️ Note: When replacing the battery with Xiaomi Mi 4, be sure to use an original or certified battery. Cheap analogues can swell or disable the power controller.
How to check the original battery for Mi 4?
Can I flash Xiaomi Mi 4 on modern Android?
Technically, yes, but with reservations: Official updates for the Mi 4 ended with MIUI 8 (Android 6.0), but enthusiasts have created unofficial firmware:
- 🤖 LineageOS 14.1 (Android 7.1) is the most stable custom firmware.
- 🔄 MIUI 10/11 (Port from other devices – works with bugs.
- ⚡ Android 10 GSI — experimental assembly, slowing down.
The firmware will require:
- Unlock the bootloader via the Mi Unlock Tool (Xiaomi may refuse for older devices).
- Install custom recovery (e.g., TWRP).
- Sweep ZIP-Firmware file through recovery.
Warnings:
- ❌ Not all functions will work (e.g., modules) NFC or 4G may fall off).
- ❌ Banking applications won’t launch due to lack of support for modern security standards.
- ❌ Battery will go down even faster – new versions of Android are more demanding resources.
💡
The firmware of custom Android on the Xiaomi Mi 4 makes sense only for experimentation.For everyday use, the phone will remain virtually useless.