How to disassemble Xiaomi Redmi 4X at home: safe step-by-step analysis with photos and tips

Why Redmi 4X Disassembly May Be Needed and When It’s Justified

Xiaomi Redmi 4X (codenamed santoni) is one of the brand’s most popular budget phones, released in 2017. Despite its simplicity, its disassembly requires care: the plastic case is fastened with latches, and the plumes and connectors are fragile, and users often resort to disassembly for three reasons:

First, battery replacement is the most common procedure. A 4100 mAh lithium polymer battery loses up to 30-40% of its capacity after 3-4 years of operation, and the original batteries for the Redmi 4X are no longer manufactured. Second, dust cleaning or replacing the thermopaste on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 435 chip helps to cope with overheating. Third, repair after a fall - a cracked screen, a departed speaker or a broken camera often require physical access to the insides.

Not every malfunction justifies disassembly, however. For example, if your smartphone doesn't turn on, check the charger and cable first, and try a hard reset (press Power + Volume up for 10 seconds). If the software problem is, it's pointless to disassemble the case, just reflash the device via Fastboot.

What tools will be needed: minimum and extended set

A minimal set of tools is enough to disassemble the Redmi 4X, but some operations (such as unplugging the plumes) will require additional equipment.

• 🔧 Plastic mediator or guitar mediator to disengage the body. Metal blades can scratch the plastic.
• 🔩 The screwdriver. PH00 — It's a motherboard screw. PH0 It is not suitable: the screw heads are too small.
• 🧲 Magnetic mat or tray - so as not to lose screws (there are 12 pieces, all of different lengths!).
• 🔥 Dryer or thermo-air station - if you plan to unplug the screen (temperature 60-80)°C).
• 🛠️ Tweezers and soldering station – to replace charging connectors or microphone (only if you have experience!).

If you're disassembling a smartphone for the first time, take a smartphone repair kit (costs 300-500 rubles on AliExpress) that includes all the necessary mediators, screwdrivers and suckers. Don't use a knife or metal blades - they will damage the latches of the case, and it will be impossible to assemble the smartphone back.

⚠️ Attention: Screws in Redmi 4X They're different lengths, and if you confuse them, you can damage the motherboard or the screen, and take a picture of each screw before you unscrew it!

Preparation for the disassembly: what to do before the beginning

Before you start, follow a few mandatory steps:

1. Turn off your smartphone and remove it. SIM-If the battery is swelling, don't turn it on, it's dangerous!
2. Discharge the battery to 20-30%, and a fully charged battery can ignite if damaged.
3. Remove the cover and protective film (if any) and they will interfere with the separation of the body.
4. Prepare your workspace: a clean desk, good lighting, and an antistatic mat (if any).

Critically, if you disassemble your smartphone because of fluid, don't turn it on or plug it into a charger! Water could close contacts on the board, and the voltage will cause permanent damage, in which case you first dry the device in rice or silica gel for 24 to 48 hours.

Turn off the smartphone and remove SIM-map|

Discharge the battery to 20-30% |

Take off the cover and film |

Prepare tools and workplace |

Take a picture of the location of the screws (after opening)-->

Step-by-step: how to disassemble the Redmi 4X body

The Redmi 4X has two parts: a front panel with a screen and a back cover, which are fastened by latches around the perimeter, and the disassembly starts with the back cover, which is safer, because the risk of damage to the plumes is minimal.

Step 1: Removing the back cover

Insert a plastic mediator into the gap between the back cover and the body (begin at the lower left corner, where the antenna notch is located). Carefully drive the mediator along the perimeter, disconnecting the latches. Do not apply force - if the lid does not respond, check if all latches are snapped.

Step 2: Shutting off the battery

When you remove the lid, you'll see the battery glued to the body. First of all, unplug the connector (it's located at the top of the battery, under the black tape). Use a plastic mediator to gently fit the connector. Don't pull the wires!

⚠️ Warning: If the battery is swelling, do not try to remove it yourself - the risk of puncture and fire is too high!

Step 3: Removing the motherboard

Unscrew all the screws (12 pieces) that hold the metal plate over the motherboard, remove the plate and gently disconnect all the plumes:

• 📱 Display plume (at the top of the board).
• 🔊 Dynamics and microphone plume (bottom).
• 📷 Main camera plume (under metal plate).

And then you can take out the motherboard, and be careful, there are antenna wires underneath that are easy to pull off.

Replacement of the battery: nuances and errors

The battery in the Redmi 4X is glued to the body with double-sided tape, and it will need to be retrieved:

1. Heat the body with a hair dryer (temperature 60-70 ° C) for 2-3 minutes to soften the glue.
2. Carefully tuck the battery with a plastic spatula on the side (not from the end!).
3. If the battery fails, reheat it and pull on special "ears" (white ribbons under the battery).

When installing a new battery:

• ✅ Use only the original or certified counterpart (e.g. Battery for Xiaomi Redmi). 4X BL-41A).
• ❌ Don’t take batteries from AliExpress without reviews – they may be of poor quality.
• 🔋 After replacement, calibrate the battery: fully discharge and charge the smartphone 2-3 times.

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If the new battery is quickly discharged, check the energy consumption in Settings → Battery. It may not be the hardware that is to blame, but the background apps (such as Mi Cloud or Facebook).

Cleaning from dust and replacing thermopaste: is it necessary?

Over time, the dust accumulates under the metal plate that covers the motherboard, which worsens the heat sink, and the smartphone starts to overheat.

• 🌡️ Redmi 4X heats up above 50°C for simple tasks (e.g. YouTube).
• 🔄 Snapdragon 435 processor begins to “trogtl” (reduce frequency) due to overheating.
• 🔋 The battery discharges faster than usual (overheating accelerates the degradation of lithium-polymer elements).

For cleaning:

1. Blow the dust with compressed air (a canister for cleaning equipment).
2. Remove the old thermopaste from the Snapdragon 435 chip with a cotton swab soaked in isopropyl alcohol.
3. Apply a new thermopaste (such as Arctic MX-4) with a thin layer.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use wet wipes or water to clean! Even drops of fluid on the motherboard can cause corrosion and short circuiting.

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Replacing the heat paste with the Redmi 4X only works when it is heavily polluted, and if the smartphone is warmed moderately (up to 45°C), no cleaning is required.

Smartphone Assembly: How to Avoid Mistakes

The Redmi 4X is to be assembled in reverse order, but there are a few critical points:

1. Check all the plumes: they should be tightly inserted into the connectors, and the locks are closed.
2. Make sure that the antenna wires are not clamped or in contact with the metal parts of the housing.
3. Put all the screws in their place (see the photo you took before the disassembly!).
4. Check the buttons: they must be pressed without jamming, and if the power button goes off, you have the metal plate installed incorrectly.

After assembly, turn on the smartphone and check:

• 🔋 Charging (connect the charger).
• 📶 Communication (insert) SIM-map and check the signal).
• 🔊 Sound (speaker and microphone).
• 📷 Cameras (front and main).

If something doesn’t work, take your smartphone apart again and check:

• Connecting plumes (especially the display and cameras).
• Integrity of contacts on the motherboard (whether there is oxidation or damage).
• Correct installation of the battery (the connector must be tightly connected).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions