Xiaomi Mi4
Verdict
Key specs
Critic consensus
“When we decided to order the Mi4, we wanted to learn more about Android in China, but we also expected it to be kind of a laugh. It's easy to look at the pictures and dismiss the Mi4 as a cheap iPhone knockoff, but it is so much better than that.Take a Galaxy S5, give it more RAM, a bigger battery, up the build quality, and for the final kicker, cut the price in half. Spend just a few minutes with a Mi4 and you'll get an idea of just how much disruptive potential Xiaomi has. It has built a premium, no-nonsense smartphone that nails every important category, which makes it one of the best smartphones of the year.Xiaomi is a company in need of some self-confidence, though. It has built an amazing device, but it has sullied the Mi4 by cloning the iPhone design. Xiaomi is like an extremely smart student that still cheats off the person next to it because it doesn't trust itself to come up with the right answer. You can do it Xiaomi! Just be a little more original.Xiaomi's continued derivative design hurts the company in so many ways. It makes it easy for people to dismiss the company as yet another cheap clone maker. It also limits the countries Xiaomi can expand to, because in many places, Apple would sue the company out of existence.Everything here is top notch: The best specs, fantastic build quality, a beautiful screen, a dirt cheap price, and software that, while different, works both aesthetically and functionally. If only the company came up with its own hardware design. If Xiaomi ever does apply itself with some original designs, look out world, because this company will be going places.”
“Well made, good-looking proper flagships with all the trimmings coming from China should be no surprise by now. Least of all, the Xiaomi Mi 4. Probably the biggest surprise here is it took Xiaomi less than a year to bring out the next generation.True, the upgrades to the Mi 3 may not be too many but they're all made to count. 4K videos and 4G data speeds sure make it an apt choice of model name. A more up-to-date chipset brings about LTE and UHD video recording, the front camera is the whopping 8MP while an IR port and wired TV-out are nice things to have.That's on top of the smartphone being blazing fast, with sleek and friendly MIUI skinning Android KitKat. All this at a bargain price. The Mi 4 also delivers excellent craftsmanship, a very capable camera with great picture quality, a solid battery backup and the kind of attention to detail one would only expect from world-renowned manufacturers.”
“This smartphones is another good example of how the Chinese mobile industry is trying to show the world what is capable of. And, in this regard, the Xiaomi Mi 4 is a proof of success. You get a package that is easy on the eyes, and easy to use, thanks to the somewhat controversial take on Android called MIUI.We’re seeing a new batch of metal-clad smartphones in the Asian market, and it seems that they’re all coming to the US, one way or another. In the case of the Xiaomi Mi 4, we’re off to a good start.”
“The Mi4 is undoubtedly the best thing to come out of Xiaomi's Chinese factory so far, and offers cutting-edge power, an eye-catching, iPhone-like design and an excellent custom version of the Android OS. However, for buyers outside of China, it's something of a hard sell, despite the £200 price point.”
Watch before you decide
In Depth
China boasts the largest smartphone market in the world and the most popular company isn’t Samsung or Apple, it’s Xiaomi. Their flagship phone, the Xiaomi Mi4, offers a similar design as the iPhone – complete with the stainless steel band – on an Android platform. While many reviewers describe it as “a big iPhone” design-wise, they add that it also has the same sturdy build quality. It also comes with a couple different features like different designs for its removable back cover.
The 5-inch LCD display offers a 1080p resolution for a full HD experience. Experts had few complaints about the panel, describing it as a gorgeous display with excellent color reproduction and viewing angles. There is, however, a noticeable lack of protective glass that can lead to more scuffs and scratches.
The Mi4’s internal hardware lines up with other flagship smartphones: 2.5GHz quad-core processor, 3GB of RAM and up to 64GB of internal storage. Critics report a lag-free experience during gaming and video playback, though interestingly they notice some stuttering when browsing the main menu. GSM Arena noticed that under stress, the phone heats up and also begins to slow down. They add, “…if the upgraded chipset is your sole reason to upgrade…might as well keep your Mi 3 for yet another year.” Battery life has also improved over previous models with critics clocking in around a day of moderately heavy usage and over 3 days of light usage. Other features include a 13MP rear camera and 8MP front camera. Camera performance seems hit-or-miss among with experts as some felt the picture quality was excellent while others write it off as average.
While its design might not be particularly inspired, experts highly recommend the Mi4. Ars Technica states, “the Mi4…[is] one of the best smartphones this year.” CNET adds, “…the Mi4 is an Android Phone worth trying to get your hands on.”
What people actually want to know
When was the Xiaomi Mi4 released?
The Xiaomi Mi4 was released on July 31, 2014.
How long does the battery last on the Xiaomi Mi4?
The Xiaomi Mi4 has a 3,080 mAh battery.
Does the Xiaomi Mi4 support wireless charging?
No, the Xiaomi Mi4 does not support wireless charging.
Does the Xiaomi Mi4 have a headphone jack?
Yes, the Xiaomi Mi4 has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Does the Xiaomi Mi4 have NFC?
Yes, the Xiaomi Mi4 has NFC. You can use Google Wallet, Apple Pay, and tap-to-pair with Bluetooth accessories.
Where can I get support for the Xiaomi Mi4?
Visit Xiaomi's official support page for warranty info, repairs, and troubleshooting.
Questions & answers
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Continuously getting a message that the Performance stopped. Apps close down while working. Took a phone that has a 4GB RAM and 64GB Internal memory.