Xiaomi Redmi 4X (codenamed Santoni) is one of the most popular budget smartphones of 2017, which is still used by many users. Despite its simplicity of design, disassembling this device has its own features: fragile latches of the case, glued battery and the risk of damage to the plumes. This article will help you disassemble the device yourself, whether it is a battery replacement, repair of the display or cleaning from dust.
We'll look at each step in detail, from tool preparation to reassembly, and we'll focus on the common mistakes that cause the latch to break or the fingerprint scanner plume to break, and we'll find a list of tools you need, alternative ways to open the case, and tips for working with adhesives.
If you've never taken a smartphone apart before, don't worry: the Redmi 4X is one of the friendliest self-repair models, the key is to follow the instructions and take your time. And for those of you who already have experience, we've prepared unique nuances of this model that are rarely mentioned in standard guides (for example, the features of the mounting of the vibra motor and antenna contacts).
Preparation for disassembly: tools and security measures
Before you start disassembling, make sure you have everything you need, and even one tool can damage the body or internal components, and here's the minimum kit you'll need:
- 🔧 Plastic blade (or mediator) - to separate the body. Metal tools can scratch the plastic.
- 🔨 The screwdriver. PH00 — fork-hole 4X small-cruciate screws are used.
- 🔋 Suction cup - will help to lid after heating (optional, but simplifies the process).
- 🔥 Hair dryer or thermo-air station - for softening the glue (temperature not higher than 60)°C!).
- 🧲 Magnetic mat or screw container – to avoid losing small details.
- 📱 Tweezers - for careful disconnection of plumes.
Also, prepare your workspace: a clean desk with good lighting, an antistatic mat (if any) and parts sorting containers. Don't disassemble your smartphone on a carpet or soft surface - this increases the risk of screw loss.
⚠️ Note: If you are looking for Redmi 4X With a broken display, be sure to stick tape on it so that the fragments do not crumble when removed. Also use safety glasses - the glass of modern smartphones can fall into small fragments.
Before disassembling, turn off the smartphone and remove SIM-If the battery is swelling, don't try to disassemble the device yourself, go to a service center. A bloated battery can ignite when exposed to mechanical stress.
Removing the back cover: how not to break the latches
The most critical step is to separate the back cover from the body, and in the Redmi 4X, it's mounted on plastic latches around the perimeter and the adhesive joint, and if you pull the lid, the latches will break, and the body will dangle when you build it.
Algorithm of action:
- Heat the back cover with a hair dryer (50–60°C) for 2-3 minutes, evenly driving around the perimeter. This will soften the glue.
- Insert a plastic blade into the gap between the lid and the body (start at the bottom edge where the charging connector is).
- Carefully drive the blade along the body, alternately snapping the mounts. Don't try to tear the lid off right away - it will break the latches!
- After disconnecting the lower part, lift the lid up (it is still held on the plume of the fingerprint scanner).
If the lid doesn't lend itself, warm it up again with a hair dryer. Don't use metal tools, they leave scratches. Also, don't press the center of the lid, the latches are located at the edges.
What to do if the latch breaks?
| Typical mistake | Effects of consequences | How to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Use of a knife instead of a shoulder blade | Scratches on the body, cut latches | Use only plastic or nylon tools |
| Heating with a hair dryer above 70°C | Deformation of plastic, battery damage | Control the temperature with a thermometer or tactile (the body should be warm, but not hot) |
| Sharp removal of the cover without disconnecting the scanner plume | Trail break, broken fingerprint sensor | After snapping the latch, gently lift the cover and disconnect the plume. |
Battery Disconnection: Why You Can't Pull the Wires
When you take the lid off, you'll see a battery that's attached to double-sided tape, and many beginners try to pull it out by pulling the contacts, which is guaranteed to break the wires and can cause a short circuit.
- Disconnect the battery plume from the motherboard (use tweezers or a plastic shoulder blade).
- Tuck the battery from any angle with a plastic card or a special spatula.
- Carefully lift it up, putting it around the perimeter. If the tape doesn't lend itself, put isopropyl alcohol under the battery (it dissolves the glue).
Don't use metal objects to swell the battery, they can puncture it, which will cause fire. If the battery is swelling, don't try to remove it yourself!
⚠️ Attention: At Redmi 4X battery with a capacity of 4100 mAh with marking BM43. When replacing, choose only original or certified counterparts (e.g. Xiaomi) MB01). Cheap fakes may not match the declared capacity and quickly fail.
After the battery is removed, inspect it for bloating or corrosion of the contacts. If there are traces of oxidation on the board, clean them with a blower or alcohol.
Turn off the power of the smartphone|Remove the back cover|Disconnect the battery plume from the board|Use only plastic tools|Do not touch contacts with your bare hands-->
Removal of the motherboard: working with screws and plumes
The motherboard in the Redmi 4X is mounted on 12 screws of different lengths. It's important to remember which screw is twisted from where - if you confuse them when you build, you can damage the board. We recommend you arrange the screws in order or take pictures of their location.
Deconstruction procedure:
- Unscrew all the screws (start with those around the camera and charging connector).
- Disconnect the plumes: 📸 Main camera plume 🔊 Dynamic plume 📞 The antenna module plume 👆 Fingerprint scanner plume (unless disconnected earlier)
Carefully raise the charge, starting at the top edge.
Pay special attention to flexible plumes, they break easily. If the plume does not detach, do not use force: check if there are additional latches (for example, the display connector has a small lock that you need to lift).
After removing the board, check it for darkening or swelling of components, which may indicate overheating or short circuit, and check the contacts of the charging connector, which often oxidize, which leads to charging problems.
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If the screws are rusty or not twisting, put WD-40 or kerosene on them, wait 5-10 minutes and try again. Don't use excessive force - it can break the thread.
Dismantling the display and camera: the subtleties of working with glass
If you need to replace the display or the front camera, be very careful. In the Redmi 4X, the screen is glued around the perimeter, and the plumes are very fragile.
- Heat the front panel with a hair dryer (temperature 50–60°C) for 3–5 minutes.
- Put a plastic blade on the screen from any angle, and if the glass is cracked, seal it with tape.
- Carefully separate the display from the body as you move around the perimeter. There are plumes under the screen - don't pull it sharply!
- Disconnect the display and touch panel plumes from the motherboard.
To replace the front camera:
- Remove the metal protection of the camera (it is mounted on two screws).
- Disconnect the camera plume from the board.
- Put a plastic spatula on the camera and remove it.
After assembly, check:
- Does the sensor work (are there any dead zones)?
- Is the smartphone charged (check the connector and cable).
- Are the cameras, speaker and microphone functioning?
- Do fingerprints recognize (if the scanner plume was replaced)?
If something doesn't work, take your smartphone apart again and check the contacts and plumes, and most often, problems are caused by poorly connected connectors or clamped cables.
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The most common build error is forgetting to plug the fingerprint scanner plume, which causes the sensor to stop working, even though everything else is functioning normally.
Frequent problems after disassembly and their solution
Even if you did everything right, you can have problems after you've done it, and here are the most common ones and the ways to fix them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Not included. | Not connected battery or power plume | Disassemble and check all connections |
| Touchscreen's not working. | Poorly connected sensor plume or damaged during dismantling | Reconnect the plume or replace the display |
| No charge. | Oxidation of connector contacts or damage to the plume | Clean contacts with alcohol or replace the connector |
| Camera makes a mistake | The camera plume is not connected or damaged | Check the connection of the plume, if necessary, replace the camera |
If the smartphone overheats or discharges quickly after disassembly, you may have damaged the thermal paste on the processor, in which case you need to disassemble the device again and apply a new thermal paste (for example, Arctic MX-4).
If you've replaced a battery but it's going down quickly, check if it's the original battery. Counterfeit products often have a capacity of 2-3 times less than the declared capacity.