Xiaomi Redmi Note 4: official release date, version and why it changed the market of budget smartphones

How Redmi Note 4 became the benchmark of budget smartphones

The release of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 in 2017 was a turning point for the smartphone market.This model not only continued the Redmi Note line, but set new standards for the budget segment, combining performance, design and price in a way that is still considered benchmark. Today, years later, the release date of the Redmi Note 4 is remembered as the beginning of an era when Chinese brands proved that a quality smartphone does not have to cost as a flagship.

But why this model? It's all about the unique combination of the Snapdragon 625 processor (or Helio). X20 In some versions, premium metal housing and 4100 mAh battery are characteristics that even today look solid. Redmi Note 4 became the first Xiaomi smartphone officially presented in Russia, which made it especially popular among domestic users. Let's figure out when this legendary device came out, what versions exist and why it is still in demand in the secondary market.

Spoiler: If you’re looking for an exact date, the first presentation of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 took place on August 25, 2016 in China, and the global release (including India and Russia) took place in January-February 2017.

Redmi Note 4 release dates by region

The Redmi Note 4 began in China, where Xiaomi traditionally tests new models before the global release, and the first official presentation took place on August 25, 2016 in Beijing, when three versions of the smartphone were announced, differing in processors and memory capacity, but for the international market, the dates were very different:

• 🇨🇳 China: August 25, 2016 - start of sales a week after the announcement.
• 🇮🇳 India: January 19, 2017 – Separate version with Snapdragon 625 and localized software.
• 🇷🇺 Russia: February 2017 – Xiaomi’s official debut in the Russian market.
• 🌍 Global Market: March-May 2017 – Deliveries to Southeast Asia, Europe and Latin America.

Interestingly, in India, the Redmi Note 4 was sold under the slogan "Awesome. Again," emphasizing the continuity with the successful Redmi Note 3. In Russia, the smartphone was positioned as the "flagship killer" - a marketing ploy that justified itself: in the first year in Russia, more than 500 thousand devices were sold.

It's important to note that release dates depended on the version of the processor. X20 The Snapdragon 625 was considered a more balanced variant, which created confusion among buyers, especially in India, where both versions were sold in parallel.

Versions and Modifications: Which Redmi Note 4 is Best?

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 was released in several versions, which differed not only in the “stuffing”, but also externally. The main difference is the processor: the company offered options based on Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 and MediaTek Helio X20. The versions for different markets had unique features:

The most popular version was the Redmi Note. 4X The Snapdragon 625 was chosen by over 70 percent of customers, thanks to optimized performance and support for modern communication standards. X20, Despite 10 cores, it lost in energy efficiency and stability of work.

💡

If you’re looking for a Redmi Note 4 in the secondary market, go for the Snapdragon 625 (model code mido) version, which is better optimized for custom firmware and gets updates longer.

There were also regional differences in support LTE-For example, the Indian version did not work with some European frequencies. 4G, And China didn't have Google out of the box at all, which is important to consider when buying a used device.

Technical specifications: why is the Redmi Note 4 still relevant?

With modern smartphones with dynamic refresh rates and multi-module cameras, the Redmi Note 4 may seem outdated, but let’s look at its performance through the lens of price/quality ratio at the time of release and even today:

• 📱 Display: 5.5" IPS LCD, permission 1920×1080 (Full HD), brightness 450 Even now, it is enough for a comfortable video viewing.
• 🔋 Battery: 4100 Mach with Quick Charge support 3.0 (In the Snapdragon version — 1.5-2 day of work with moderate use.
• 📸 Camera: main camera 13 MPP (f/2.0, phase-focus) + frontal 5 MP. 2017 This was the top level in the budget segment.
• 🎵 Sound: stereo speakers (unlike mono in most competitors), support for Hi-Fi audio via 3.5mm connector.
• 📡 Link: Dual SIM, VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.2 – Everything you need for everyday tasks.

Especially stood out the case of aluminum alloy with rounded edges, which looked more expensive than competitors like the Samsung Galaxy. J7 Lenovo P2. Thanks to the IR port (in the version) 4X) The smartphone could replace the remote from the TV — a chip that is still appreciated by users.

💡

The main advantage of the Redmi Note 4 — None of the characteristics were revolutionary, but collectively they outperformed the competition. 30-50% similarly priced.

Of course today. 3 GB RAM and processor 2016 The year of release seems modest, but for basic tasks (social networks, instant messengers, video viewing) Redmi Note 4 And in fact, thanks to a very active community of developers, custom Android firmware is available for him. 10-11, prolongs the life of the device.

Comparison with competitors: why did Redmi Note 4 win the battle?

In 2017, the budget segment was full of decent models: Meizu M5 Note, Lenovo P2, Samsung Galaxy J7 But it was the Redmi Note 4 that became the bestseller. Let's see why:

Lenovo P2 It boasted a 5100 mAh battery, but lost in price and software optimization. M5 The Note had a stylish design, but Helio P10 The Snapdragon 625 was significantly inferior in performance. J7 Prime, despite the Super AMOLED-The screen suffered from a weak processor and a small battery.

But Redmi Note 4’s biggest asset is community and support. Xiaomi has been actively engaging with users through forums, quickly releasing updates (including security patches), and even adding support for Project Treble in later versions. MIUI. The competitors did not offer this.

Redmi Note 4 Prices in 2017 vs. Today: Should You Buy in 2026?

When launching in Russia Redmi Note 4 worth 12 990 roubles 3/32 GB and up 15 990 ruble-for-top modification 4/64 GB. By comparison: iPhone 7 at the time, it was sold for 56 990 RUB and Samsung Galaxy S7 — post 49 990 The difference in price was striking, and in a number of parameters (for example, battery life) Redmi Note 4 Even surpassed the flagships.

Today, in the secondary market, the prices for this model vary:

• 📱 Version. 3/32 GB: 3 000–5 000 RUB (state "as new").
• 📱 Version. 4/64 GB: 5 000–7 000 ruble (with cover and film).
• 💰 Models in perfect condition with warranty (restored): up to 9 000 rubles.

Should you buy a Redmi Note 4 in 2026?

Looking for a backup smartphone for calls and instant messengers|

Need a device for a child or elderly relatives|

Want to experiment with custom firmware|

You need a device to work with IR control (remote for technology)|

Budget limited to 5,000-7,000 rubles-->

First, Xiaomi has officially stopped supporting updates for this model – the latest version MIUI Second, after 5-7 years of battery life, it likely lost 30-40% of its capacity. Third, some applications (such as modern games or banking) may not support Android 7.0 out of the box".

1. Battery condition via AccuBattery application (capacity must be not lower than 3000 mAh).
2. The sensor and camera are a common problem after falls.
3. The original charger (fast charging works only with the native power supply).

-->

Interesting facts and secrets of Redmi Note 4, which you did not know

Over the years, Redmi Note 4 has gained many legends and little-known features, some of which are:

• 🔥 "Unkillable" case: in 2017, a user from TechRax YouTube channel threw the Redmi Note 4 from the 10th floor - the smartphone survived with small scratches.
• 🎮 Secret game mode: in MIUI 8 was a hidden Game Turbo feature that turned off notifications and optimized performance for games##).
• 🔋 Autonomousity record: in tests GSMArena Redmi Note 4 lasted 149 hours in standby mode – an absolute record among smartphones in 2017.
• 🛠️ Easy to repair: According to iFixit, the model received 8 points out of 10 for its maintainability.
• 📦 Unique packaging: In the first batches for India, the box was made from recycled cardboard with the inscription "Made in India" - part of a campaign to localize production.

Another little-known fact: the Redmi Note 4 was the first Xiaomi smartphone to be certified by the Russian Federal Security Service for government use, which opened the company’s doors to corporate orders and helped to gain a foothold in the Russian market.

And finally, Redmi Note 4 became the first smartphone for which Xiaomi released the official “light” firmware — MIUI Lite. It took up 30 percent less space and worked faster on devices with 2GB of RAM, a feature that later appeared in other models of the brand.

Frequent Problems and How to Solve Them: A Guide for Owners

Despite its reliability, the Redmi Note 4 is not without its typical "diseases": Here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

⚠️ Note: If your Redmi Note 4 suddenly stopped turning on after the update, don’t try to reset settings via Recovery – this can lead to a “brick” (complete inoperability.

• 🔋 Fast battery discharge: Cause: battery wear or application background activity. Solution: Disable autosynchronization in Settings → Accounts.Install Greenify to hibernate unnecessary apps.Replace the battery (original artwork. MBP045, price ~1 500 ₽).
• 📶 Networks are bad: Reason: outdated modem software or antenna damage Solution: Update Baseband via Settings → The phone. → Software Update. Reset network settings: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → If there is a problem after a fall, check the antenna plume (repair) ~2 000 ₽).

Quiet sound in the dynamics

Reason: speaker grid clogging or software failure. Solution:

1. Clean the speaker hole with a toothpick (carefully!).
2. Turn on Mi Sound Enhancer in the sound settings.
3. If the sound is wheezing, a speaker replacement is required (~1 200 ₽).

⚠️ Warning: When replacing the battery in the Redmi Note 4, never use cheap analogues without a charge controller! this can lead to a fire due to incompatibility with the fast charging system.

For advanced users: if the smartphone slows down, you can install a custom core FrancoKernel or firmware Pixel Experience (Android 10). 4PDA The Redmi Note 4 (Mido).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions about Xiaomi Redmi Note 4