What is LTE in Xiaomi Redmi smartphone: the full guide 2026

Today, even Xiaomi Redmi’s budget smartphones support high-speed mobile internet, but not everyone understands what the LTE acronym hides in the device’s specifications. If you see a 4G or LTE icon in the screen status bar, it means your Redmi is connected to a fourth-generation network – but how does it differ from 3G, how does it affect download speed, and why does the connection sometimes “brake”?

In this article, we will explore what LTE is in the context of Xiaomi Redmi smartphones, what technologies are behind this acronym, and how to properly configure the phone for maximum Internet speed. We will focus on the differences between LTE, 4G and 5G, and explain why some Redmi models support LTE-A (Advanced) and how this affects the user experience.

Spoiler: If your Redmi Note 12 or Redmi 10 suddenly loses LTE, the problem may not be with the operator, but with the phone's settings.

LTE and 4G: What’s the difference and why it matters to Redmi

Many people mistakenly think that LTE and 4G are synonymous, but there are technical nuances between them. 4G (the fourth generation of mobile communications) is a standard approved by the ITU-R (International Telecommunication Union), which implies download speeds of up to 1 Gbps for stationary devices and up to 100 Mbps for mobile devices. However, at the time of the launch of the fourth generation networks, no operator could provide such indicators.

LTE (Long-Term Evolution) is an intermediate step on the road to a “full-fledged” 4G, which initially did not meet the requirements of ITU-R in speed. Over time, the technology has evolved, and today LTE has become de facto synonymous with 4G, although technically it is not the same. In Xiaomi Redmi smartphones, you will see LTE more often, because:

• 📡 LTE Cat.4 (The most common in the budget Redmi) provides speeds up to 150 Mbps – this is enough for streaming Full HD and online gaming.
• 🚀 LTE-A (LTE-Advanced – An improved version that aggregates multiple frequencies (e.g. in the Redmi Note 11 Pro)+) And it's up to 300-600 Mbps.
• 🌍 VoLTE – voice communication technology through LTE (non-switch 3G), Improves the quality of Redmi calls with this feature.

Important: if your Redmi specifies 4G LTE, it means that the phone supports fourth-generation networks, but not necessarily all of their capabilities. For example, the Redmi 9A only works with LTE Cat.4, while the Redmi K50 supports LTE Cat.18 (up to 1.2 Gbps).

What Redmi Models Support LTE and How to Check It Out

All Xiaomi Redmi smartphones released after 2016 support LTE, but with reservations:

• 📱 Redmi 4X, Redmi 5A — only LTE Cat.4 (up to 150 Mbps).
• 📱 Redmi Note 8 Pro, Redmi Note 9 Pro — LTE Cat.12/13 (before 600 Mbit/s).
• 📱 Redmi K40, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ — LTE Cat.18 (up to 1.2 Gbps) + 5G.

To find out which LTE standard your Redmi supports, do the following:

1. Open the Settings app → About the phone → All the characteristics.
2. Find the Network or Mobile Network bar, and it will show LTE support and category (e.g. LTE Cat.6).
3. Or type in your Redmi model code (such as M2101K6G) + "Specifications" in Google search.

⚠️ Note: If the characteristics are specified LTE B1/B3/B7/B20, This means that the phone supports specific frequency bands. B3 (1800 MHz and B20 (800 If your Redmi does not support these ranges, LTE may not work or work slowly.

Why LTE in Redmi is Slow: 5 Reasons Why LTE is Slow

You're connected to LTE, but the speed is not good, and here are the most common reasons:

🔍 Secret Life Hack: If your Redmi supports LTE-A, but the speed does not exceed 100 Mbps, try to turn on modem mode (in Settings) → Access point and modem. Sometimes this causes the phone to use frequency aggregation.

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If your region has a weak LTE signal, try installing the NetMonster app (Android) to show which tower your phone is connected to and at what frequency it is running.

How to manually configure LTE on Xiaomi Redmi for maximum speed

By default, Redmi automatically selects the type of network, but sometimes manual settings help improve speed.

Step 1: Selecting a network type

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Choose yours. SIM-map.
3. Click Network Type and install LTE Only (or 4G/3G/2G (auto) if LTE doesn't catch).

Step 2: Selecting LTE range (for advanced users)

If your Redmi supports multiple bands but connects to an overloaded one, you can prioritize the one you want:

1. Enter the code in the phone app: ##4636##.
2. Select Phone Information.
3. Scroll down to Set your preferred network type.
4. Select LTE only or LTE/TD-SCDMA/GSM auto (for China).

⚠️ Note: Not all ranges LTE available in your area, for example, if you manually select B7 (2600 MHz) and your carrier is not using it, the Internet will disappear.

VoLTE in Redmi: What it is and how to turn it on for the best calls

VoLTE (Voice over LTE) is a technology that allows you to call over an LTE network without switching to 3G/2G.

• 📞 Fast connection (the call connects in 1-2 seconds).
• 🎤 Clear sound (wider frequency band, less noise).
• 📶 Parallel Internet (you can use mobile data during a conversation).

To enable VoLTE on Xiaomi Redmi:

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Choose yours. SIM-map.
3. Activate the VoLTE call switch (or Improved Calls).
4. If there is no option, check whether your operator supports VoLTE (in Russia it is MTS, Beeline, MegaFon, Tele2).

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi) 9C) VoLTE may not work due to lack of firmware support, in which case only an update will help. MIUI or a phone change.

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VoLTE not only improves call quality, but also saves battery life as the phone doesn’t switch between 4G and 3G.

LTE vs 5G in Redmi: should we overpay for the next generation?

Xiaomi Redmi smartphones with 5G support (for example, Redmi Note 12 5G or Redmi K60) are 20-30% more expensive than their counterparts with only LTE.

• 🏙️ Large cities (Moscow, St. Petersburg, millionaires): 5G It's already working, but the coating is spotty, and it can go up to 1-2 Gbps, but only near the towers.
• 🏘️ Small towns and villages: 5G It is either absent or operating at a frequency. n78 (3.5 Hz), which does not penetrate walls well.
• 🌍 Abroad: In Europe and Asia 5G better developed, but roaming is expensive.

📊 Comparison LTE and 5G redmi:

💡 If you live in a big city and often download large files, 5G Redmi makes sense. LTE (particularly LTE-A) The difference in speed in real conditions is often imperceptible.

Frequent questions about LTE in Xiaomi Redmi (FAQ)