Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X is one of the most popular smartphones of the brand, released in 2017. Despite its age, the device is still actively used due to reliable βstuffingβ and the possibility of upgrading. However, over time, even such a βtankβ requires repairs, from replacing a dead battery to cleaning connectors or recovering from a fall.
Disassembling the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X is a tough task, with the deviceβs body glued around the perimeter, and the inside hiding fragile plumes and small mounts, and any failure at any stage can result in damage to the display, motherboard, or even a complete failure of the gadget. In this article, we will examine the entire process from tool preparation to assembly back, with a focus on the critical moments that 90% of users miss in the first disassembly.
If you've never taken a smartphone apart, that's fine. We're designed for beginners, but with all the professional nuances in mind, and the rule is, take your time and follow the steps consistently, and if you're in doubt, you better go to a service center.
Preparation for disassembly: tools and security measures
Before you start, make sure you have everything you need. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X is a non-dismountable device, so you can't do without specialized tools. Here's the minimum set:
- π§ Plastic mediators (2-3 - for tidying the body carefully. Metal blades can scratch the frame.
- π¨ The screwdriver. PH00 β The usual screwdriver won't work: the screw heads in the Note. 4X small-scale.
- π₯ Hair dryer or thermo-air station - for softening the glue. The temperature should not exceed 80Β°C, otherwise the screen will be damaged.
- π§² Magnetic mat or container - to avoid losing screws. - Redmi Note 4X 12 of them, and all of them of different lengths!
- π± Suction cups (2 pcs) - will help to raise the screen after heating.
- π Multimeter (optional) β to check the battery before installing a new one.
Also, prepare your workspace: a clean desk with good lighting, no carpets (screws are easily lost in the pile). If you disassemble your smartphone because of fluid, don't turn it on until you disassemble it completely! A short circuit can disable the motherboard.
β οΈ Note: If your Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X If you've been in water, put it in rice or silica gel for 24 hours before disassembly, which will reduce the risk of corrosion of the contacts during the opening.
Lastly, the battery is discharged to 20-30% A fully charged battery can ignite if damaged. It's not a myth, because it's been recorded with lithium polymer batteries.
Step 1: Remove the back cover and battery
So the hard part is, the back cover is detached, and in the Redmi Note 4X, it's glued around the perimeter, and it's also latched, and if you pull the lid, you break the clips or you tear the fingerprint scanner plume.
Procedure:
- Turn off your smartphone and remove the tray for SIM-map.
- Heat the back cover around the perimeter (30-40 seconds on each side). Keep the hair dryer at a distance of 5-7 cm to avoid overheating the plastic.
- Insert a plastic mediator into the gap between the lid and the frame (start at the lower left corner where the antenna is located). Carefully drive the mediator along the housing, separating the glue.
- When the lid gets up on 1-2 Um, use the suction cups to take it off completely. Don't pull it out, there's plumes under the lid!
When you take the lid off, you'll see the battery glued to the body, and it's important to take your time here, so don't throw metal at the battery, because you're at high risk of puncture.
- π Find the black tape-tie on the battery (it's glued to the body). Pull it carefully, the battery should separate.
- π οΈ If the screed breaks, apply the battery with a plastic mediator on the side, closer to the top (there is less glue).
- β‘ Before extraction, disconnect the battery connector from the motherboard (it is located under a protective yellow tape).
β οΈ Warning: If the battery is swelling (as seen by the deformation of the lid), do not try to remove it yourself! Bloated batteries are extremely dangerous - contact the service.
The battery connector from the motherboard is disconnected|Checked for no bloating|Only plastic tools are used.|There is no open fire or sparks nearby.-->
Step 2: Unconnecting the plumes and removing the motherboard
Now that the battery is gone, you can go to the heart of the device, the motherboard. In the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X, it's mounted on 12 screws of different lengths, so remember or photograph their location. If you confuse the screws, you risk damaging the board when you build them.
Sequence of action:
- So, start with all the sleeves (begin with the ones that are the longest).
- Carefully unplug all the plumes: π± Display (wide white connector at the top of the board). π Footprint scanner plume (thin black, next to battery). π Dynamics and microphone plume (at the bottom). πΆ Antenna connectors (small gold connectors on the sides).
Put a plastic blade on the motherboard and gently lift it. Don't pull it by force, there's a plume of the power button underneath the board!
Pay special attention to the flexible plume of the power button, which often sticks to the board and can come off when you're not careful to extract it, and if the plume does come off, don't panic. You can solder it back, but you need a soldering station and experience with microelectronics.
| Vint | Location. | Length (mm) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1, 2 | Top part (near the camera) | 2.5 | The shortest, easy to lose |
| 3-6 | On the sides of the board | 3.0 | Medium length, attach antennas |
| 7, 8 | The bottom part (near the charging connector) | 4.0 | The longest, don't mix it up! |
| 9-12 | Under the battery. | 3.5 | Fixing the charge to the hull |
If you're disassembling a smartphone to replace a charging connector or an audio connector, you now have access to it, but be careful: the charging connectors are soldered to the board, and if you're not careful, you can tear the tracks off, which will require you to replace the entire motherboard.
π‘
Before removing the board, take a picture of the location of all the plumes and screws. When assembled, this will save you hours of time!
Step 3: Disassemble the front panel and replace the display
Replacing the display in the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X is one of the most time-consuming operations, because the screen is glued to a frame around the perimeter, and underneath it there are plumes of the sensor and display module, and if you've never worked with displays, you better get it done by the professionals.
How to take the screen off:
- Heat the front panel with a hair dryer (temperature no higher than 70Β°C). Start at the bottom of the plume connector.
- Put a plastic mediator in the gap between the screen and the frame. Carefully guide it around the perimeter, separating the glue. Don't push too hard, the glass may crack.
- When the screen separates from the 1-2 mm, raise it over the top (where the front camera is located). 30Β°.
- Disconnect the display and sensor plumes from the motherboard. They're fixed by the latches -- gently lift them with a screwdriver.
Pay special attention to the battery connector. In the Redmi Note 4X, it often oxidizes, which leads to sudden shutdowns of the smartphone. If the contacts turn black, clean them with a blower or special contact fluid.
If you notice the capacitors that are swollen on the motherboard (they look like little barrels with a convex top), it's a serious signal. These capacitors need to be replaced, or they can damage other components. SMD-component.
β οΈ Warning: If your smartphone is getting worse at catching the network after cleaning, check to see if you have damaged the antenna plumes, which are located under a metal cover at the top of the board and are very fragile.
π‘
To check for the heat paste after replacement, use the AIDA64 app, run the processor test and monitor the temperature. If it exceeds 70Β°C when loaded, the thermopaste is not applied enough.
Step 6: Build a smartphone and check the health
Building Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X is a process no less responsible than disassembly. Here is the main rule: act in reverse order, but with nuances in mind.
Assembly order:
- Put the motherboard in place and twist all the screws, make sure that no plume is covered.
- Connect all the plumes (start with the display and sensor, then the fingerprint scanner, speaker, and antenna).
- If you use a new battery, check it with a multimeter before you plug it in. 3.7-4.2 V.
- Stick the back cover. Use double-sided tape or B-7000 glue. Don't put glue on the area around the connectors, which can make it difficult to disassemble the next one.
- Heat the edge of the cover with a hair dryer (60-70 Β° C) and press it tightly against the body for 1-2 minutes.
After assembly, don't turn on the smartphone right away. Let the glue grab (minimum 30 minutes), then plug the charger in.
- π Check battery connection.
- π± Make sure the display plume is connected correctly.
- π Try charging your smartphone from another power supply.
If the sensor or display is not working after assembly, the plumes are probably not tightly connected. Take the smartphone apart and check the fixation of the connectors. In the Redmi Note 4X, they often "step away" when assembled due to vibration.
If it works, congratulations, you've done a good job of disassembling and assembling, and you've got to check the basics.
- π Calls and microphones.
- π Dynamics and audio connector.
- π· Cameras (main and front).
- π Charging and Type-C connector.
- π Sensor and fingerprint scanner.
π‘
If after assembly the smartphone overheats, check whether you forgot to remove the protective film from the thermal paste or whether a foreign object (for example, a scrap of a plume) fell under the charge.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes when disassembling the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X. Here are the most common of them and ways to prevent them:
- π§ Mixing screws: The device uses screws of different lengths. If you confuse them with places, you can damage the board. Solution: Put the screws in groups or take pictures of their location.
- π₯ Overheating when soldering: When replacing the connectors, many put too high a soldering iron temperature, which leads to detachment of the tracks. Solution: Use a temperature not higher than 300Β°C and a fine sting.
- π± Display plume damage: When the screen is lifted, the plume may break if the angle of lift is too large. Solution: Raise the screen no more than 30 times.Β° And fix it in that position.
- π Battery short circuit: If you take the battery out sloppy, you can puncture it with a metal tool. Solution: Use only plastic mediators.
- π‘οΈ Damage to antenna plumes: They're fragile and often come off when the board is sloppy removed.Solution: Disconnect the plumes last when the board is already up.
If you're facing a problem that's not on this list, don't panic. 90% of the time, you can find the solution in forums like 4PDA or XDA Developers, and the key is not to improvise, but to look for proven ways.
And remember, if something goes wrong after a showdown, you can always go to the service, and yes, it will cost you extra, but sometimes it's cheaper than buying a new smartphone because of a failed repair.