Xiaomi Mi 4

Into Droid Hardware

The Xiaomi Mi 4, released in 2014, was a flagship offering from Xiaomi that aimed to deliver top-tier specifications and performance at a fraction of the cost of other flagship devices from established brands. Here’s an in-depth review of the Xiaomi Mi 4:

Overview:

The Xiaomi Mi 4 followed the success of the Mi 3 and was a testament to Xiaomi’s commitment to providing high-end hardware at competitive prices. With its premium build and powerful internals, the Mi 4 was a significant player in the market, especially in regions like China and India.

Features:

  1. Operating System: Initially shipped with Android 4.4.3 (KitKat) with Xiaomi’s MIUI 5 skin, later upgradable.
  2. Display: 5.0-inch Full HD IPS LCD with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels.
  3. Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 Quad-core.
  4. Memory: 3 GB RAM with options of 16 GB or 64 GB internal storage.
  5. Camera: 13 MP rear sensor with an f/1.8 aperture and an 8 MP front camera with an f/1.8 aperture.
  6. Battery: A 3080 mAh non-removable battery.
  7. Other Features: Stainless steel frame, infrared port, and quick charge 2.0.

Pros:

  1. Performance: Powered by the Snapdragon 801 and 3 GB of RAM, the Mi 4 delivered smooth and snappy performance.
  2. Build Quality: The stainless steel frame gave the Mi 4 a premium feel, distinguishing it from many other devices in its price range.
  3. Camera: The camera setup, especially the front-facing camera, was impressive for its time, producing good quality images.
  4. MIUI Customizations: Xiaomi’s MIUI skin offered a plethora of features and customizations, making it a favorite among many users.

Cons:

  1. Lack of 4G LTE in Initial Models: The initial versions of the Mi 4 did not support 4G LTE, which was a significant drawback for many users.
  2. Non-expandable Storage: The device did not feature a microSD card slot, limiting users to the internal storage options.
  3. Battery Life: While the 3080 mAh battery was decent, heavy users sometimes found it challenging to get through a full day without needing a charge.

Comparisons to Other Technologies:

In its segment, the Xiaomi Mi 4 faced competition from:

  • OnePlus One: Offering a 5.5-inch Full HD display, Snapdragon 801, and a near-stock Android experience with CyanogenMod.
  • Huawei Honor 6: Featuring a 5-inch Full HD display, HiSilicon Kirin 920, and 3 GB RAM.
  • Asus Zenfone 2: With a 5.5-inch Full HD display, Intel Atom processors, and 2 GB/4 GB RAM options.

Launch Date:

The Xiaomi Mi 4 was announced in July 2014 and released shortly after.

Common Issues/Problems:

  1. MIUI Bloat: While MIUI was feature-rich, it also came with several pre-installed apps that not everyone found useful.
  2. Overheating: Some users reported overheating issues, especially during prolonged gaming or heavy multitasking.
  3. Software Updates: While Xiaomi was relatively prompt with MIUI updates, Android version updates were slower.

Conclusion:

The Xiaomi Mi 4 was a significant offering in the smartphone market in 2014. It showcased that users didn’t have to compromise on build quality or performance, even when spending less than what traditional flagships demanded. The phone’s success solidified Xiaomi’s reputation as a go-to brand for value-for-money smartphones and set the stage for its subsequent models.

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