Xiaomi Redmi 4X is still a popular choice among users who value reliability and balance, but when buying a used model or after long periods of use, many people are faced with questions about the sound quality, including how many speakers are installed in this device and how they affect the perception of music, video and calls.
Unlike flagship stereo models, budget smartphones often save on audio. The Redmi 4X is no exception: it is designed to be optimized for basic tasks, but has its own nuances. In this article, we will understand where the speakers are, how they work, and what to do if the sound is worse.
Official specs: how many speakers in the Redmi 4X
According to Xiaomi’s technical documentation, the Redmi 4X features one main speaker located on the bottom end panel, a typical solution for budget smartphones in 2017, where functionality was prioritized over multimedia capabilities.
It's important to understand that this is multimedia dynamics, which is responsible for playing music, video, games and system sounds. The speaker (used during calls) has a separate module located at the top of the screen, which is often confused with the front camera or sensors, but it is a separate element, not associated with the main audio output.
- 🔊 Main speaker: 1 pc., on the lower end (left edge at the standard position of the smartphone).
- 📞 Speaker: 1 pc., in the upper frame of the screen (right of the front camera).
- 🚫 Absent: stereo sound, additional subwoofers or front speakers.
This configuration means that the Redmi 4X is physically unable to play stereo through the built-in speakers, but that doesn’t stop many users from enjoying music – with the right settings, even a single speaker can sound decent.
Where exactly is the speaker: photos and diagrams
To avoid confusing the speaker with other elements (such as a microphone or charging connector), pay attention to its visual features. On the lower end of the Redmi 4X, on the left, there is a grille with 7-9 small holes, which is the output for sound. On the right of it is a microphone, and in the center is a Micro-USB connector.
The photos below show the exact location (clickable to zoom in):
Signs of a speaker:
- 🔍 Grille with holes to the left of the charging connector.
- 🎵 When playing music, this area vibrates (you can check with your finger).
- 📏 Grid size: approximately 10×2 mm.
If you're not sure you found the speaker, turn on the loud music and alternately cover the holes on the bottom end with your finger, and the sound should only noticeably mute when the left grille is closed.
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To test the speaker, call your smartphone from another device, and if you have sound in the phone, but there is no music, it's a problem with multimedia dynamics.
Why sound can seem like “stereo”: common misconceptions
Many users mistakenly believe that the Redmi 4X has two speakers because it's supposed to be coming from "all sides," which is actually the reflection and resonation effect of the body, which is why the illusion of stereo arises:
- Resonator: The plastic body of the smartphone amplifies the low frequencies, creating a surround sound sensation, especially on hard surfaces (for example, if you put your phone on a table).
- Speaker: During calls, the sound comes from the top grille, but it is not involved in the playback of the music.
- Doppler effect: When a smartphone moves in your hand, sound waves reach your ears in different ways, creating the illusion of space.
Important: Redmi 4X doesn't have stereo sound support, and all the volume effects are the result of software processing or acoustic features of the body.
| Myth | Reality. |
|---|---|
| There are two speakers in a smartphone because the sound comes from above. | The top grille is a conversational speaker, it only works during calls. |
| If you turn on Dolby Atmos, you get stereo. | Dolby improves sound through headphones, but does not add physical speakers. |
| "Some firmware activates the second speaker" | This is impossible – the hardware configuration does not change programmatically. |
How to check the performance of the speaker: step-by-step instructions
If the sound is quieter or gone, first make sure that the problem is not the settings.
Make sure the volume is not at a minimum (volume up/down buttons)
Check if the "Do Not Disturb" or "No Sound" mode is activated
Connect the headphones – if there is sound in them, the problem is in the dynamics
Reboot your smartphone (sometimes helps with software failures)
Test sound in safe mode (excludes the influence of third-party applications)-->
If there is no sound after these steps, perform a hardware check:
- Turn on YouTube videos or music in the player.
- Put your ear on the bottom grille, and you should hear a sound (albeit a quiet one).
- Try to press the body slightly next to the speaker. If there is a sound, there is a problem in contact (repair).
- Call your smartphone: if there is sound in the tube, but there is no music, the multimedia speaker is broken.
⚠️ Warning: If the speaker starts to "wheez" or make extraneous noises, don't try to clean it with a needle or toothpick! This can damage the membrane. Use a soft brush or compressed air (a canister).
What to do if the speaker is not working: solutions from simple to complex
In 80 percent of cases, the problem is solved without disassembling the smartphone.
- 🔄 Resetting sound settings: Go to Settings → Sound. → Resetting settings (if available).
- 🧹 Clean the connector: Dust in the speaker can drown out sound. Gently blow out the holes or use a vacuum cleaner at minimum power.
- 📱 Software Update: Outdated firmware may cause crashes. Check for updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
- 🔧 Custom firmware: Some builds (like LineageOS) improve sound processing but require unlocking the bootloader.
If the software methods did not help, the most likely problem is:
- Oxidation of the contacts speaker (often after moisture is ingested).
- Breaking the plume connecting the speaker to the motherboard.
- The speaker itself is broken (replaced).
⚠️ Note: When replacing the speaker in Redmi 4X It's easy to damage the flexible plume of the screen, it's close by. If you don't have experience repairing, you better contact the service.
The cost of replacing the speaker in service centers: from 800 to 1500 rubles (depending on the region). The part itself costs about 300-500 rubles on AliExpress or in parts stores.
How to improve sound in Redmi 4X: software and hardware life hacks
Even with one speaker, you can get a better sound. Here are the proven ways:
Software improvements
- 🎧 Equivalents: Applications like ViPER4Android Wavelet let you customize the equalizer for specific headphones or speakers.
- 🔊 Dolby Atmos: This mode is available in some firmware (included in Settings) → Additionally. → Sound effects).
- 📀 Audio formats: Music in FLAC or WAV Sounds better than compressed. MP3.
Hardware tricks.
- 🪑 Position of the smartphone: Put the phone on a hollow surface (such as a cardboard box) – this will strengthen the bass.
- 🔌 External speakers: Even a budget Bluetooth speaker sounds better than the built-in speaker.
- 🛠️ Modding: Some craftsmen install the second speaker from Redmi Note 4X (Compatible in size, but it requires soldering work.
How to install ViPER4Android on Redmi 4X
Comparison with other Xiaomi models: who sounds better
For objectivity, compare the Redmi 4X with other budget Xiaomi smartphones in terms of sound quality:
| Model | Number of speakers | Max. Volume (dB) | Support Dolby | Price (for 2026, used) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi 4X | 1 | ~78 | Depends on the firmware. | 3 000–4 500 ₽ |
| Redmi Note 4X | 1 (but larger) | ~82 | Yes. | 5 000–6 500 ₽ |
| Redmi 5 | 1 | ~80 | Yes. | 4 000–5 500 ₽ |
| Redmi 6 | 1 | ~81 | Yes. | 4 500–6 000 ₽ |
As you can see from the table, the Redmi 4X loses to newer models in volume, but slightly. The main difference is the support for Dolby Atmos out of the box in the Redmi Note 4X and later. If the sound is critical for you, it is worth considering upgrading to the Redmi Note 7 (already with two speakers).
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The Redmi 4X has a single multimedia speaker, but its sound can be improved software (equalizers) or hardware (external speakers).