Xiaomi Mi 4: Pros and Cons
Xiaomi announced the launch of the Mi 4 smartphone in 2014. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5 inch IPS display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 MSM8974AC SoC, and 3 GB of RAM. The Mi 4 series was launched with Android OS v4.4.3 (KitKat) pre-installed, but it is upgradable. The 5 inch phone comes with a high resolution IPS display (1080 x 1920 px). This smartphone has a single camera on the back (13 MP, 4128 x 3096 px, autofocus).
Table of Contents
- Xiaomi Mi 4 specifications
- Weight, dimensions, colors
- System, chipset, performance
- Display type, size, resolution
- Memory, storage
- Cameras, flash
- Connectivity, network, wireless
- Battery type, capacity, charger
- Features, sensors, specials
- Verdict, pros and cons
This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Xiaomi Mi 4 smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device. The specifications below are from the official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you've seen any mistakes or things missing in these specifications, please let us know.
Xiaomi Mi 4 specifications
| Brand | Xiaomi |
|---|---|
| Name | Mi 4 |
| Model | MI4 |
| Release date | 2014 |
Weight, dimensions, colors
| Weight | 5.26 oz |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 5.48 x 2.7 x 0.35 inch |
| Colors | black, white |
| SIM type | Micro SIM |
The weight of Xiaomi Mi 4 is about 5.26 oz with battery. This is average for smartphones of the same size. A micro SIM is a smaller version of the standard SIM card used in mobile devices.
System, chipset, performance
| OS version | Android OS v4.4.3 (KitKat) |
|---|---|
| SoC | Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 MSM8974AC |
| CPU | Quad-core 2.5 GHz Krait 400 |
| GPU | Adreno 330 |
The Xiaomi Mi 4 comes with Android OS v4.4.3 (KitKat) out of the box. Android is a mobile operating system. Google built it using a modified version of the Linux kernel. They also used other open-source software. The mid-range CPU can deliver fast, efficient performance for many tasks. Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors work with Adreno GPUs. The processors are designed for the GPUs.
Display type, size, resolution
| Display type | IPS |
|---|---|
| Screen size | 5 inch |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 px |
| Multitouch support | yes |
The 5 inch IPS display has better features. These include optimal viewing angles, color accuracy, and unchanging color reproduction. The 5 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The size of the screen is measured diagonally, from corner to corner.
Memory, storage
| RAM | 3 GB |
|---|---|
| Internal storage | 16 GB |
| Memory card slot | no |
The smartphone has 3 GB of RAM. It can run many apps at once without much lag or slowness. More RAM lets you keep more apps and processes open in the background. This keeps the device from slowing down. Most people think a smartphone needs at least 32 GB of storage. The Mi 4 has only 16 GB. The internal storage of the Xiaomi Mi 4 (3 GB) cannot be expanded.
Cameras, flash
| Main camera | 13 MP, 4128 x 3096 px, autofocus |
|---|---|
| Flash | LED |
| Selfie camera | 8 MP |
The single camera can be enough for many smartphone users. It depends on their photography needs and preferences. The main camera of Mi 4 smartphone does not have OIS. The optical image stabilization (OIS) is an important feature in smartphones.
Connectivity, network, wireless
| GSM 2G bands | 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
|---|---|
| Network coverage | 2G / 3G / 4G |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
| Bluetooth | v4.0, A2DP |
| GPS | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou |
| NFC | no |
| FM radio | yes |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, USB host |
| Headphone | 3.5 mm jack |
The 4G provides faster data transfer speeds compared to previous generations. The phone is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The Mi 4 smartphone is capable of connecting to Bluetooth devices. The GPS allows this smartphone to find their exact location. It provides accurate navigation and mapping. The phone isn't NFC (Near Field Communication) capable. NFC is not essential for basic phone functionality, but it can be useful. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.
Battery type, capacity, charger
| Type | Li-Ion 3080 mAh, non-removable |
|---|
The Li-Ion 3080 mAh, non-removable battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The Li-ion is a low maintenance battery. It does not need periodic full discharge. The battery of Mi 4 isn't removable without voiding the warranty.
Features, sensors, specials
| Sensors | accelerometer, barometer, compass, gyroscope, hall, light, proximity |
|---|
Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The accelerometer is a sensor. It measures the tilting motion and orientation of the phone. The light sensor detects the level of light in the environment.
Verdict, pros and cons
Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this Xiaomi phone is no exception. As with any device, there are aspects that shine and others that fall short. By examining both sides, we can paint a complete picture of what this phone has to offer. Let's explore its standout features and areas for improvement. Remember, this is just my opinion, and yours might be different.
Pros
- none
Cons
- limited-size screen
- insufficient internal storage
- non-expandable storage
- single camera setup
- no OIS function
- no 5G support
- no NFC feature
- no Type-C USB port
- low-capacity battery
- no fingerprint reader
Please let us know if you find incorrect information or something isn't working. Also, tell us if you have a suggestion for improvement.
I'm Lucas Bradley, the founder of the Phone42.com site. I love technology, especially smartphones, and I've been working with tech stuff for more than 20 years. This means I've seen a lot of changes and have learned a bunch about what makes a good phone. On Phone42.com, I look at all kinds of phones. They can be from big, well-known companies or new ones trying to make their mark. I want to help people understand what's new and cool in the world of smartphones, in a way that's easy to get.