Buying a smartphone from hand or in a little-known store always carries the risk of encountering low-quality goods, especially when it comes to the popular Xiaomi Redmi 4 Pro model, also known under the code name Prada. The device has earned a reputation as a reliable “state-of-the-art” that made it a frequent target for dealers selling restored devices or outright fakes.
Competent inspection avoids buying a brick or a phone with replaced components of poor quality. In this article, we will discuss all stages of diagnosis, from visual inspection to the use of specialized software to identify hidden defects.
You don't have to be a professional engineer to do basic diagnostics. You have to be careful and have access to the engineering test menu that's hidden from the average user. The Xiaomi Redmi 4 Pro check starts long before the screen is turned on, so be careful about the packaging and trim details.
Visual diagnostics of the body and configuration
The first thing that catches your eye when you look at it is the look of the device. The original Xiaomi Redmi 4 Pro has an all-metal body with characteristic antenna inserts on the top and bottom. Pay attention to the build quality: there should be no gaps between the frame and the screen, and backlash control buttons are not allowed.
The kit can also tell you a lot about the origin of the smartphone, and the original box usually contains the device itself, a power supply (often Chinese-type with an adapter or European, depending on the version), a Micro-USB cable and a tray grinder. SIM-map.
Check the SIM card tray. In this model, it's either two or two. SIM-card SIM And the microSD card, it's got to work smoothly, without jamming.
- 🔍 Inspect the screws near the charging port - autopsy traces indicate a possible repair.
- 🔍 Check the uniformity of gaps around the perimeter of the screen and the back cover.
- 🔍 Make sure that the logo MI The back panel is not worn and is not a sticker.
⚠️ Note: If you see a sticker or a picture on the back instead of engraving the logo, you are likely to see a cheap copy or case from another model.
Pay special attention to the screen. The matrix in Redmi 4 Pro has a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels. The original display has clear fonts and saturated colors. If you notice "grain" or fading of the corners, it's a sign of poor replacement or fake.
IMEI and serial number verification
The most reliable way to verify the initial check is to verify identification numbers, and every legal smartphone has a unique IMEI code that must match in three places: on the box, on the system menu, and on the case (if applied).
To get the code through the menu, dial the universal command *#06#. The screen will display data about the two slots. SIM-Compare these numbers to the ones printed on the sticker at the back of the box.
Then you need to check the official database, go to mi.com/global/verify or regional support portal, enter the serial number (SN) and IMEI. The system must confirm the existence of the device and show its model.
If a site is running an error or displays a model other than the Redmi 4 Pro (like some budget button), then the IMEI has been re-flashed or modified software.
| Place of inspection | What should be. | Risk of mismatch |
|---|---|---|
| On the box. | Clear print, matching the menu | High (box replacement) |
| On the menu (*#06#) | Two IMEIs for slots 1 and 2 | Critical (flashing) |
| On the Xiaomi website | Valid Status and Prada Model | Tall (clone) |
⚠️ Attention: Coincidence IMEI The box and menu does not guarantee originality, as Chinese craftsmen have learned to clone these numbers en masse.
Diagnostics through CIT Engineering Menu
In the MIUI shell installed on the Xiaomi Redmi 4 Pro, there is a hidden section for testing equipment – CIT (Customer Inspection Test), which is a powerful tool for checking all the nodes of the device.
To get to the menu, open the Phone app and dial the code ##6484##. If the code is entered correctly, a list of tests will open, and you can check the vibrator, sensors, screen and connectivity modules.
☑️ Checklist of tests CIT
Start with a screen test. Select Display. The screen will be red, green and blue. Watch carefully for broken pixels or uneven backlights.
Make sure to check the multi-touch. In Touchpanel mode, swipe your fingers all over the screen. Lines should be drawn smoothly, without tearing or spontaneous jumps. This is critical for gameplay.
Next, we test the sensors. At Proximity sensor, cover the top of the screen with your hand, so the sensor should light up green and go out when it opens, and if the reaction is delayed, the screen will go out with your cheek when you talk.
Sound checks include a test of the main speaker, the talk speaker and the microphone. Record your voice and listen. Wheezing or a quiet sound may indicate moisture or wear on the speaker.
Analysis of the hardware characteristics of the processor and memory
The Redmi 4 Pro is based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor, an 8-core chipset with clock speeds up to 2.0 GHz. Any deviation in the number of cores or frequency indicates a replacement of hardware.
For a detailed check, download the CPU-Z or AIDA64 app. In the SoC section, you should see the name MSM8953 (this is the technical name Snapdragon 625). If you specify MTK (MediaTek) or any other, you have a fake.
Pay special attention to memory. The official version has 3 GB or 4 GB of RAM (LPDDR3) and 32 GB or 64 GB of internal (eMMC 5.1).
How do Chinese people fake memories?
You can check the real volume using the Fake Device Test utility or simply by trying to write a large amount of files on the phone (for example, heavy movies). If the recording is interrupted in the middle, although the volume is supposedly free, the memory is modified.
Also check the type of network connection. Snapdragon 625 supports 4G LTE. Go to the settings of the network → SIM-maps and mobile networks → The preferred type of network, if there's no choice. 4G or LTE, only 3G — It's a fake on an old chipset.
⚠️ Attention: In the engineering menu CPU-Z Pay attention to the processor temperature in the idle. 40-45 degrees without running tasks, cooling system is broken or processor is degraded.
Camera and multimedia testing
The camera in Xiaomi Redmi 4 Pro is one of its bargaining chips in the budget segment. Sony's IMX258 main matrix at 13MP with phase autofocus.
When you test the camera, pay attention to the focus speed. The original module focuses instantly. If the camera is scouring for a few seconds looking for focus, maybe the module is replaced with a cheap one.
Take a few pictures in good light and in under-light, and the original device will have a minimum of noise, and dynamic range will allow you to distinguish details in the shadows.
- 📸 Check the flash – it should be bright and not blink.
- 📸 Record the video in resolution. 1080p and listen to the sound (should be stereo if on, or a quality mono).
- 📸 Take a panoramic photo - there should be no seams and tears.
The 5MP front camera is also subject to inspection. Take a selfie and rate the sharpness. Blurring around the edges is acceptable, but the center should be clear.
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When you test the camera, point the lens over a white sheet of paper. If you see black dots (dust inside) or iridescent spots (lens glare), the tightness is impaired or the optics are of poor quality.
Checking the autonomy and status of the battery
The battery capacity of the Redmi 4 Pro is 4,100 mAh, a significant amount of up to two days of battery life, but over time, the battery degrades.
You can check the wear and tear through the engineering menu ##6485##. You are interested in parameter MB_06 (Health status: Good means normal state.
It's also important. MF_02 (Cycle count: number of charge cycles. For used devices, up to 300-500 If the meter shows the cycles 10 a series of telephones that 5 The battery was changed (possibly for a cheap one).
Check the charging speed. Connect the original power supply. The smartphone has to charge fast enough. If it takes hours to charge, the problem is the power controller or the Micro-USB connector, which often gets unbalanced.
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Parameter combination MB_06: Good and MF_02: < 500 on an old device - a sure sign of battery replacement, and not always high-quality.
During the tests, watch for heating. When you are actively charging and using the navigator, the phone may warm up, but it should not burn the hand in the area of the camera or the bottom of the case.