Xiaomi’s current Redmi and Poco smartphones have the most extensive networking options to make a device a fully-fledged mobile router. However, when you try to distribute the Internet, many users are faced with a choice that is often ignored, although it is critical for performance, such as the frequency of the radio module available in the access point settings.
Understanding the difference between the bands not only increases the speed of data transfer, but also significantly extends the battery life of the gadget. Depending on your model and the surrounding conditions, choosing the wrong frequency can lead to permanent connection breaks or inability to connect to the network at all.
Modern flagship models like the Redmi Note 13 Pro or Xiaomi 14 support simultaneous operation in two bands, while budget devices can be limited to only one option.It is important to know the capabilities of your hardware, so as not to waste time looking for non-existent settings in the MIUI or HyperOS menu.
Technical differences between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands
The fundamental difference between the two major frequencies is the physics of radio waves propagation and their ability to skirt obstacles. The 2.4 GHz band is historically older, it provides lower data rates, but has significantly better penetration through walls and floors, making it an ideal choice for complex spaces.
In contrast, 5GHz offers a much wider channel for communication, which directly affects the maximum speed of the connection. However, this range has a significant disadvantage: the range of the signal is smaller, and any physical obstacles quickly weaken the quality of communication. If you are in the same room with the receiving device, this option will be preferable.
- 📡 Long range: 2.4 GHz breaks through 2-3 wall-wall, 5 GHz only works in line of sight.
- ⚡ Speed: 5 GHz provides in 2-3 higher capacity.
- 📶 2.4 GHz is often crowded with neighbouring routers, 5 GHz is more free.
It is worth considering that the choice of frequency also affects the power consumption of the smartphone processor. Working at high frequencies requires more resources, which can lead to faster battery discharge when actively transferring large amounts of data.
How to choose the frequency in the settings Xiaomi Redmi
The process of setting up the access point in the MIUI and HyperOS shells is standardized, but the location of the items may vary slightly depending on the Android version. First, you need to go to the smartphone settings menu. Find the Settings section, then select Connect and Sharing or Additional Features.
In the list that opens, look for Wi-Fi Access Point. This is where the basic parameters of your virtual router are hidden. Click on your network name or Setting Up the Access Point button to open a detailed menu where you can change your name, password and, most importantly, frequency range.
⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models with budget hardware (such as the Redmi A series or older C models) may not have the option of selecting the frequency, as only the 2.4 GHz band is supported hardwarely.
Once the setting is changed, the system can alert you that current connections will be severed.This is normal behavior, as changing the frequency requires rebooting the Wi-Fi module. Make sure you save the settings by clicking the tick or Save button in the upper right corner of the screen.
☑️ Checking before changing the frequency
The effect of frequency on speed and stability
Choosing between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz is always a compromise between speed and coverage. If your goal is to stream 4K video to a TV or play online games via a smartphone, using 5 GHz is the only option.High bandwidth minimizes delays (ping) and buffering.
But in dense urban environments, where every neighbor has a router, 2.4GHz air can be very noisy. Switching to 5GHz in these conditions often solves the problem of low speed, even if you're not in the same room. Xiaomi smartphones are able to hold the signal aggressively enough, but physics is physics.
On the other hand, if you plan to use the hotspot for simple tasks like messaging or watching a news feed, and the receiving device is in another room, then 2.4 GHz will provide a more stable connection without constant reconnections.
| Parameter | Range 2.4 GHz | 5 GHz range |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum speed | up to 150 Mbps | up to 866 Mbps |
| Radio of action | Tall (up to 40 m) | Medium (up to 15-20 m) |
| Pathability of walls | Good. | Bad. |
| Energy consumption | Low. | High. |
Why is 5GHz faster?
Compatibility problems of older devices
One of the most common reasons why the access point on Xiaomi Redmi is not visible to other gadgets is frequency incompatibility. Old laptops released before 2013-2015, tablets and low-cost IoT devices (smart sockets, lamps) are often equipped with Wi-Fi modules that operate exclusively in the 2.4 GHz band.
If you force a 5GHz setting on your smartphone, these devices simply won't detect your network, they'll scan the airwaves, but they won't find the signal at the usual frequency, and this isn't a firmware error, but a technical limitation of the client's equipment.
In such cases, you should go back to the access point settings and force the 2.4 GHz mode to switch, or select the Preferably 2.4 GHz option if available in your shell version, which will ensure maximum compatibility with all the equipment you have.
⚠️ Note: Some specific devices (e.g. older printers or game consoles) may not support the security standard. WPA3, This is often enabled by default when running at 5GHz. If the device is not connected, try changing the encryption type to WPA2-PSK.
💡
If you give the Internet to a laptop for work, and it “can’t see” the network, try temporarily switching the frequency to 2.4 GHz – this is the most universal standard.
The effect of frequency selection on the smartphone battery
Few people think about it, but the choice of frequency directly affects the battery discharge rate of your Xiaomi. Wi-Fi module, operating in the 5 GHz band, consumes more energy to generate a high frequency signal and process large amounts of data. When you use the access point actively, the difference can be up to 15-20% of the time.
If you're in a zone where the 5GHz signal is weak, the smartphone will continuously increase the transmitter power to maintain the connection. This causes the housing to heat up and accelerate discharge. In situations where the speed is not critical, using 2.4GHz is a more energy-efficient solution.
It’s also worth noting that when the hotspot is running, the smartphone screen must be on or the device must be connected to charging.Some Redmi models can turn off the hotspot to save energy if the battery runs below a certain threshold (usually 10-15%).
- 🔋 2.4 GHz less heats processor and modem.
- 🔥 Heating: 5 GHz phone can significantly heat up when downloading files.
- ⏳ Operating time: At low frequency, the access point will live longer on the 30-40 minute.
💡
For maximum autonomy in the field, always choose the 2.4 GHz band, unless the high data rate is critical.
Recommendations for optimal setting
There is no perfect "for everyone" setting, because the reception conditions are constantly changing. If you use your smartphone as the main source of Internet at home, where the receiving devices are located nearby, it makes sense to experiment with 5 GHz, which will provide comfortable surfing and watching videos.
When traveling, cafés or public places where there are many unknown factors and interference, it is better to rely on 2.4 GHz stability. Also, this mode is preferable if many devices are connected to your access point at the same time, as it provides better coverage in terms of area.
Remember to reset the access point regularly. Prolonged running in router mode can lead to an accumulation of errors in the Android network stack, which is expressed in a drop in speed. Simply turning off and turning the function on the settings menu often solves the problem of slow Internet.