The Xiaomi Redmi 4X is one of the most popular budget smartphones of 2017, and is still in active use. However, not all owners know that this model was released with two different processors: the Qualcomm Snapdragon 435 and Snapdragon 430. The difference between them affects performance, firmware support and even compatibility with some applications. If you plan to flash the device, buy parts or just want to know the exact characteristics of your gadget – this article will help you understand.
We'll look at 5 working ways to define a processor, from standard Android settings to customized utilities and engineering menus, and you'll learn why it's important to know the exact model of the chipset and how it can affect the performance of a smartphone. Some methods require additional software installation, but we'll start with the simplest options that don't require anything but the phone itself.
1. Verification through standard Android settings
The quickest way is to look at the About Phone section, which doesn't give you the full CPU information, but it does allow you to see the device model and the firmware version, which indirectly points to a possible chipset.
Instructions:
- 📱 Open the Settings app (cog icon on the home screen).
- 🔍 Scroll down and select About Phone (or About Device).
- 📋 Find the lines Model and Version MIUI. If the model is listed as Redmi 4X (codename Santoni, and version MIUI Over 9.5, you probably have a Snapdragon 435.
Method limitation: The standard settings don't show the CPU model directly, but if you see MSM8940 in the CPU bar, it's a Snapdragon 435, and the MSM8937 is a Snapdragon 430.
2.Use of the CPU-Z application
CPU-Z is a free utility that shows detailed information about the hardware of a smartphone, including the exact model of the processor, the number of cores, frequency and even temperature. This is the most reliable way for Redmi 4X, since the application reads data directly from the chipset.
How to use:
- Download CPU-Z from Google Play (or from the official website if you don’t have access to Google services).
- Launch the app and go to the SoC (System on Chip) tab.
- In the Model bar, you will see the exact model: Qualcomm Snapdragon 435 or 430.
Additional data that will show CPU-Z:
- 🔧 Processor architecture (e.g, ARMv8).
- 📊 The frequency of each core (Snapdragon 435 - up to 1.4 GHz, 430 - up to 1.2 GHz).
- 🖥️ The graphics accelerator model (Adreno 505 for 435, Adreno 505 for 430 – yes, they are the same!).
☑️ What to check in on CPU-Z for Redmi 4X
Important: If CPU-Z displays Unknown instead of the CPU model, it could mean that the firmware is modified or the utility does not support your version of MIUI.
3. Check through the engineering menu (code ##4636##)
The Android Engineering Menu contains hidden hardware data that is not shown in the standard interface. For the Redmi 4X, this method works consistently, but requires caution - do not change the settings in this menu unless you are sure of their purpose!
Step-by-step:
- Open the phone (calling) application.
- Enter the combination: ##4636## (no spaces).
- In the menu that opens, select Phone Information (or Phone Information).
- Slide down to the Hardware block, and you can see a model of the processor or its code name (e.g., msm8940 for Snapdragon 435).
Critical detail: some firmware may not have an engineering menu or be blocked. If the code didn't work, try an alternative: ##225## (shows calibration information, but sometimes contains processor data).
What to do if the engineering menu is not opened?
4.Analysis through AIDA64
AIDA64 is another powerful tool for diagnosing Android devices, and unlike CPU-Z, it provides more detailed information about the system, including motherboard, sensors, and even temperature history.
How to find out the processor:
- 📲 Install. AIDA64 Google Play.
- 🔎 Launch the application and go to the CPU section (or CPU).
- 📊 At the top of the screen will be the processor model, its architecture, and the instructions supported (e.g., the CPU, ARMv8-A).
Advantages of AIDA64 over CPU-Z:
- 📈 Shows the current processor boot in real time.
- 🔋 Displays information about the battery and its wear.
- 📡 Contains data about network modules (useful for support verification) 4G).
Tip: AIDA64 can create a report on the system in.txt or.html format, which is useful if you need to provide full specifications of the device for sale or repair. To save the report, click on the floppy disk icon in the upper right corner.
Verification by serial number and IMEI
If your Redmi 4X is not powered on or you can’t install diagnostic apps, you can identify the processor by serial number or IMEI. This method requires access to the device box or sticker under the battery (if you’re ready to disassemble the smartphone).
How it works:
- Find your device's IMEI: On the box (usually on a barcode sticker); Under the battery (if you remove the back cover); through the code *#06# (works even on a phone that is turned off if it's charged).
IMEI.info
SNDeeP
IMEI
Nuance: Not all services show an IMEI model of the processor. If the results only show a Redmi 4X (santoni), then that means that the chipset can be either of two options, and then you have to use other methods.
💡
If you are buying a Redmi 4X from hand, make sure to check the IMEI on the SNDeeP website. This will help make sure that the device is not blacklisted (stolen/lost) and meets the declared characteristics.
Comparison of Snapdragon 430 and 435 processors in Redmi 4X
Now that you know how to define a CPU model, let's see how they differ and why it matters. Both chipsets are built on the ARM Cortex-A53 architecture, but there are key differences:
| Characteristics | Snapdragon 430 (MSM8937) | Snapdragon 435 (MSM8940) |
|---|---|---|
| Technique | 28 nm | 28 nm |
| Max. CPU frequency. | 1.2 GHz | 1.4 GHz |
| Graphics (GPU) | Adreno 505 (up to 450 MHz) | Adreno 505 (up to 450 MHz) |
| Memory support | LPDDR3 800 MHz | LPDDR3 800 MHz |
| modem | X8 LTE (Cat. 4, up to 150 Mbit/s) | X9 LTE (Cat. 7, up to 300 Mbps) |
| Quick Charge | No. | Quick Charge 3.0 |
Main findings:
- 🚀 Snapdragon 435 15-20% more efficient in everyday tasks thanks to higher frequency.
- 📶 modem X9 LTE 435 supports higher mobile Internet speeds (up to 300 Mbit / s vs. 150 Mbit / s at 430).
- ⚡ Only Snapdragon. 435 Supports fast charging of Quick Charge 3.0 (though 4X she's limited 5V/2A).
- 🔋 Both processors have the same power consumption, but the 435 can drain the battery a little faster due to the increased frequency.
What's it for?
- 🔧 If you're planning to flash the device, it's important to choose a firmware that's compatible with your chipset. ROM (LineageOS, for example, have separate builds for santoni (430) and santoni (435).
- 🛠️ When repairing (replacing the motherboard), it is necessary to select a donor board with the same processor.
- 🎮 Snapdragon 435 is better at handling heavy projects like PUBG Mobile at low settings.
💡
If your Redmi 4X is slow to run or overheating, it could be not just the processor, but the thermal paste. It dries out over time, especially in budget devices. Cleaning and replacing the paste can bring performance back to factory level.
Frequent errors and myths about the processors in the Redmi 4X
There's a lot of rumors going around about the Redmi 4X, especially about the processors.
⚠️ Warning: Don’t believe the salespeople who claim that the Snapdragon 435 is “twice as powerful” as the Snapdragon 430. In practice, the performance difference is only 10-15% in synthetic tests and even less in real-world applications. Both chipsets are budget-friendly and are not designed for resource-intensive applications.
Myth 1: All Redmi 4Xs on Snapdragon 435
In fact, the first Redmi 4X batches (especially for the Chinese market) came with the Snapdragon 430, and Xiaomi later switched to 435 for all regions, so you can’t guarantee that you have a chipset without checking.
Myth 2: “You can flash 430 to firmware for 435 and get a performance boost.”
It's impossible. The firmware for different processors is incompatible at the kernel level, and installing the wrong firmware will lead to brick.
Myth 3: “The Snapdragon 435 supports 64-bit games, but the 430 doesn’t.”
Both processors support ARMv8-A (64-bit architecture), the only difference being that the 435 is slightly better optimized for 64-bit applications.
⚠️ Warning: If you see suggestions on the Internet to "overclock the Snapdragon 430 to 435," that's a scam. The CPU frequencies are locked at the hardware level, and changing them requires modifications to the kernel, which will lead to unstable operation and overheating.