The Xiaomi Redmi 4X (codenamed santoni) remains one of the most popular budget smartphones even years after its release, and its reliability and maintainability make it an ideal candidate for self-repair — especially when it comes to replacing a broken display.
In this article, you will find detailed instructions tailored to the specifics of the Redmi 4X, from choosing the original module to testing after installation, explaining why using non-original plumes can lead to a yellowness effect in 2-3 months, how to avoid damaging the flexible board when disconnecting the battery, and why standard mediators are not suitable for this model, and how to learn what tools are really needed and what you can save without risk to the device.
1. Diagnosis of malfunction: is the display to blame?
Before you order a new module, make sure the problem is in the display.Redmi 4X is known for several "symptoms" that are often confused with a screen breakdown:
- 🔍 Black screen with running backlight – if in bright light you can see the image, the plume or backlight controller is to blame, not the display itself.
- 🎨 Vertical strip artifacts – may indicate damage to a graphics chip (Adreno 505) or firmware problems.
- 🔋 Phone turns off when you press the screen – a classic sign of battery detachment or damage to contacts on the motherboard.
- 📶 No image, but sound and vibration – 90% of the probability that the display module or its plume is to blame.
For accurate diagnosis, connect your smartphone to your computer via USB (in Fastboot mode). If the device is identified as a Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008, the problem is likely to be the firmware, not the hardware.
2. Selection of display module: original vs. copy
There are three types of modules for Redmi 4X:
| Type of module | Price (2026) | Pluses | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original (OEM) | 3 500 — 4 800 ₽ | 100% compatibility, original colors, long service life | High price, difficult to find in stock |
| Copy of Premium | 1 800 — 2 500 ₽ | Acceptable quality, often with oleophobic coating | It may turn yellow over time, worse color transmits |
| Budget copy | 900 — 1 500 ₽ | Low price, quick delivery | No oleophobic coating, poor touch sensitivity, color distortion |
Key points in the selection:
- 🔧 The plume is complete — 60 percent of the time, the problem is not in the screen itself, but in the damaged plume. Make sure you have a new plume with connectors.
- 🎨 Oleophobic coating – cheap copies often don’t have it, leading to rapid scratches and finger marks.
- 🔋 Compatibility with firmware – some non-original displays may conflict with MIUI, causing flickering or spontaneous reboot.
⚠️ Note: If you buy a module on AliExpress, look for reviews with photos. Often sellers will indicate "Original" in the description, but send copies with poor color reproduction.
3. Necessary tools: what can not be replaced by “improvised means”
Replacing the display with the Redmi 4X will require a specialized set of tools, and using the wrong tools (knives, screwdrivers of the wrong size) can damage flexible boards or chips.
Suction cup for display (∅ 5-7 centimeter)
Plastic mediators (thickness 0.15-0.2 mm)
Screwdriver T3 (for screws of the back cover)
Phillips screwdriver #00 (for motherboard screws)
Tweezers with curved ends
Dryer or thermo-air station (power 300-500 W)
Double-sided Scotch or B-7000 glue (to fix a new display)
Antistatic bracelet (optional, but recommended)-->
Pay special attention to mediators: for the Redmi 4X, only plastic blades 0.15-0.2 mm thick are suitable. Metal tools or mediators thinner than 0.1 mm can cut through plumes or damage contacts on the motherboard. Also avoid using a regular hairdryer - it does not provide accurate temperature control, which can lead to overheating of the battery or detachment of the graphics chip.
If you do not have a thermo-air station, you can do with a construction hairdryer, but be sure to watch the temperature:
- 🔥 The optimal temperature for softening glue: 70-90°C.
- ❄️ Maximum permissible temperature (no more than 5 seconds): 110°C.
- ⚡ Overheating above 120°C Possible damage to the battery or chip.
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Before you start work, remove all metal jewelry (rings, bracelets) and use an antistatic bracelet. Static electricity can damage delicate components of the motherboard, especially the power controller PM660.
4. Step-by-step disassembly: how not to damage the plumes and battery
The process of replacing the display with the Redmi 4X consists of 12 key steps. Don’t miss a single step – especially when it comes to turning off the battery and working with flexible plumes.
Step 1: Power outage
Before disassembly completely turn off the smartphone and remove SIM-Then you have to disconnect the battery to avoid short circuits:
- Remove the back cover (it is attached to latches and double-sided tape).
- Unscrew the 4 T3 screws that lock the metal plate over the battery.
- Carefully tuck the battery connector with a plastic mediator and disconnect it.
Step 2: Dismantling the Old Display
Redmi 4X display is glued around the perimeter with double-sided tape to remove it:
- Plug the suction cup on the bottom of the screen (close to the Home button).
- Heat the display edge with a hairdryer around the perimeter (temperature 70-80 ° C, heating time 1-2 minutes on the side).
- Pull the suction cup and then poke the plastic mediator between the body and the display, and start at the bottom edge, there are fewer plumes.
What to do if the display fails?
Step 3: Disconnecting the plumes
After removing the display, you will see three plumes:
- 📱 Display plume (wide, in the center).
- ✍️ Touchscreen plume (thin, right).
- 🔋 Home button plume (miniature, left).
Important:
⚠️ Warning: The home button plume is extremely fragile, and if it breaks, the button will stop working and it will cost you to replace it. 1 200-1 500 ₽. Don’t pull it by the wires – only take the hard part of the connector.
5.Installation of a new display: nuances of connection and fixation
Before installing the new module, be sure to clear the landing site of the residue of old glue. Use isopropyl alcohol (90%+ concentration) and a lilac-free wipe. Do not use acetone or oil-based solvents - they can damage the camera seals or speaker.
Installation process:
- Connect the plumes in reverse order: first the Home button, then the touchscreen, then the display.
- Then, put the slats on the slats (they should click).
- Put the new display in place and check its operation before fixing with glue.
- If everything works, apply a thin layer of B-7000 glue or bilateral tape around the perimeter of the display.
To fix the display, you can use:
- 📏 Double-sided Scotch (0.2mm thick) is a cheap solution, but can detach over time.
- 🧴 Clay. B-7000 — It is more reliable, but requires careful application.
- 🔥 UV glue is the strongest option, but you need a UV lamp for polymerization.
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After installing the new display, do not turn the smartphone on immediately. Let the glue dry for 1-2 hours (for the B-7000) or irradiate with a UV lamp (if you use UV glue).
6.Testing and calibration: why the screen may not work after replacement
After assembly, turn on the smartphone and check:
- 🎨 Color rendering — compare it to another device (for example, on a white background) yellow or greenish color indicates a non-original module.
- ✍️ Touchscreen Sensitivity – Test multi-touch in the Settings menu → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Press 5 times on "Version" MIUI», Then select "Tacch Screen Test»).
- 🔋 Sensor operation – check autobrightness and approach (during the call, the screen should go out).
If the touchscreen is not working correctly (missing touches, double presses), perform calibration:
- Go to the engineering menu and dial ##4636##.
- Select Testing → Touch Screen.
- Follow the instructions on the screen (usually click on the dots that appear).
⚠️ Warning: If the display flickers or spontaneously turns off after replacement, the problem may be in the backlight controller (LP8557). In this case, a soldering station is required to replace the chip - without experience in repairing motherboards, it is better to contact the service.
7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them
Even experienced craftsmen make mistakes when working with the Redmi 4X.
| Mistake. | Effects of consequences | How to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Use of metal mediators | Damage to plumes or chips on the board | Use only plastic blades with a thickness of 0.15-0.2 mm |
| Battery overheating with a hairdryer | Bloating or ignition of the battery | Do not heat above 90°C, use thermocouples for control |
| Incorrect connection of the touchscreen plume | The sensor or double pressing is not working. | Check the latch fixation, test before final assembly |
| Use of cheap glue | Detachment of the display after 1-2 months | Use the B-7000 or the original double-sided scotch |
Another common problem is the yellow effect a few months after replacement, which is due to the use of cheap copies of low-quality backlit displays. If you notice yellowing, try calibrating the colors in the engineering menu (#36446337## → Color Test), but the only way to solve the problem is by replacing the original module.