Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 review: A hidden gem
A hidden gem
Gallery
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 comes with a custom Gallery app that defaults to showing the camera row, but the second tab shows all images and videos on the phone. You can set up a photo backup to your Mi Cloud account.
The Gallery app remains unchanged
The integrated editor offers various effects, filters and enhancements plus fun stuff like stickers and doodling.
Editing an image
Music player
The music player is like a MIUI version of Google Play Music. It can stream music online with added features like music videos and radio stations. It can also recognize songs thanks to ACRCloud.
Naturally, it plays offline music just fine too, but the player doesn't miss the opportunity to advertise things you may like. Before you decide to switch to a different player, you should know this one is fairly capable.
The music player cares about streaming as much as your offline library
It supports DLNA, can show lyrics and search for similar songs. The player lacks an equalizer but comes with presets for multiple headsets - from general in-ear plugs to specific Xiaomi-made models.
FM radio
The FM radio requires a headset to be connected and can play sound either through it or through the loudspeaker. The app can record audio and there's a sleep timer.
FM Radio: No RDS • Options • Sleep timer
Video player
You launch videos from the gallery. There's no subtitle support here, but DLNA is on board.
The simple video player: Simple UI • DLNA support • Playing a video
A surprisingly powerful video editor hides here - it can trim videos, add filters, text labels and even a soundtrack (from a predefined library of tracks or your music library).
The advanced video editor
Mediocre audio quality
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 started off decently in our audio quality test. When connected to an active external amplifier, the smartphone had perfectly clean output with no weak points to it. The volume was only average though, so not really impressive achievement.
When we plugged in a pair of headphones the stereo crosstalk rose considerably and intermodulation distortion crept in. Frequency response also got a little shaky, while volume levels dropped lower. Not the audiophile’s dream this one, but it can do the job if you don’t have high requirements.
| Test | Frequency response | Noise level | Dynamic range | THD | IMD + Noise | Stereo crosstalk |
| Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 | +0.02, -0.10 | -94.5 | 90.9 | 0.0019 | 0.0086 | -94.9 |
| Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 (headphones attached) | +0.37, -0.25 | -92.2 | 89.6 | 0.0087 | 0.274 | -53.6 |
| Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 | +0.04, -0.08 | -96.0 | 92.3 | 0.0015 | 0.0076 | -95.6 |
| Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 (headphones attached) | +0.48, -0.09 | -95.3 | 92.1 | 0.011 | 0.327 | -70.2 |
| Meizu m2 note | +0.08, -0.05 | -93.1 | 92.7 | 0.0079 | 0.013 | -92.4 |
| Meizu m2 note (headphones attached) | +0.40, -0.62 | -86.9 | 88.0 | 0.145 | 0.529 | -50.8 |
| Motorola Moto E (2015) | +0.02 -0.06 | -90.8 | 91.1 | 0.0026 | 0.097 | -90.9 |
| Motorola Moto E (2015) (headphones attached) | +0.05, -0.06 | -90.2 | 90.7 | 0.0029 | 0.063 | -51.4 |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 frequency response
You can learn more about the tested parameters and the whole testing process here.
Reader comments
- StevenNt
- 26 Sep 2020
- 61A
Still use it for almost 4 years. So this is my honest review so far. Design : Looks outdated now. the display standar 16:9 with thick bezel up and down, but the back design i think it is still looks elegant and great. Display : Wit...
- Anonymous
- 12 Nov 2019
- I@H
Can we do anything about the back camera. It is not giving clear picture. from cam is better than back camera.
- ASAN MD
- 24 Dec 2017
- 6ue
What is the difference between global and standard version of the redmi note 4 64 gp