Overview Xiaomi Redmi 4 Prime - best compact smartphone, the

Xiaomi has gained popularity is the budget Redmi range devices. For the fourth generation of devices the company has taken an unexpected solution: instead of the range of two modifications (Compact smartphone with a diagonal of 5 inches and larger diagonal of 5.5 inches) was published as five different smartphones.

Compact apparatus omitting Note contains the following options:

• Xiaomi Redmi 4A (HD-display processor Snapdragon 425, 2/16 and 2/32 GB GB);
• Xiaomi Redmi 4 (HD-display, the Snapdragon 430 processor, 2/16 and 3/32 GB GB of memory, a fingerprint scanner);
• Xiaomi Redmi 4 Prime (display Full HD, Snapdragon processor 625, 3/32 GB of memory, a fingerprint scanner).

On review Layfhakera got the most advanced version of the news. Perhaps the most interesting device series redmi 4 (including the Redmi Note). But first things first.

Characteristics

Appearance

Five-inch Android smartphone today is more the exception than the norm. And yet it is this diagonal for many is the most comfortable. Xiaomi Redmi 4 turned even smaller predecessors and could compete with miniature Sony, still occupy significant market share.

The more that a Chinese company has worked over the appearance and assembly of their devices. Previously Xiaomi budget line smartphones resembled soap bars with visible slits between the plastic inserts for signal transmission and the main metal body panel.

He improved housing has replaced as the previously discussed Redmi Note 4: The transitions between the plastic and the metal are imperceptible angles ergonomically pointed back cover closest to the plane.

color transitions are still present, but now it looks stylish. Initially, good build quality has improved significantly and now will give odds to the design of any device more famous brand. Lattice dynamics transferred to the lower end, as the iPhone and its clones fashion.

The rest of the device is virtually unchanged. Location interface is familiar: the bottom - connector microUSB, on the left - a tray for SIM-cards (combined with a microSD memory card slot), the top - IR transmitter and headphone port.

A similar situation with the controls, the volume represented a swing and a power button on the right side.

The fingerprint reader is located in the upper part of the back and falls under the index finger in any size hand. It works quickly and accurately, no worse than the elder brothers of the model range.

The main camera is left in place exactly over the fingerprint reader. Does not act completely hidden behind the hull lines. Sensor and front camera got a symmetrical arrangement, giving the smartphone a more neat appearance.

All buttons are also used touch (although it was promised to the variant with mechanical key). There is a weak white light, quite invisible in a good light.

Display

Skirting, protecting the screen, the new version no state employee Xiaomi. 2,5D used glass with sloping edges - it is beautiful, but very impractical: and on the table face down will not put, and the fall protection will not be. By the way, there is an excellent oleophobic coating that protects from dirt.

The screen of the new Xiaomi Redmi 4 Prime - this is perhaps the best of his advantage. In it used striking a clear, bright IPS-panel with an excellent viewing angle. Looking at the display, you see, which requires such pixel density.

screen color reproduction approaches the AMOLED, but without the "vyrviglaznosti" (although, if desired, this can be changed using the built-in wizard setup screen). At extreme viewing angles observed inversion of light colors (but you really look at the screen of the smartphone side?).

Supply of sufficient brightness, its basic settings are correct. The minimum level of illumination is sufficient for reading in the dark, do not strike the eye. With a maximum brightness of the device can be used in bright sunlight without discomfort.

The current version of the firmware (MIUI 8) works perfectly self-tuning brightness. level change occurs almost instantly.

Engineers, freeing younger version of Redmi 4A by huge black frames, somehow forgot about the older brother. They stand out quite unpleasant.

Performance

processor version - a second difference model range. In redmi 4 uses the same platform as in the Redmi 3S. The Redmi 4A - even weaker processor. But Prime version distinguished itself for the better. Instead of a single crystal platform (SoC) Snapdragon 430, there is mounted an 8-core Quallcomm Snapdragon 625. Of course, the decision is not a flagship, but it does not hesitate to use many of the major brands to the mainstream segment.

The platform is formed on most modern 14-nm process technology. Smaller process technology provides a fairly good performance for a long time and no heating under a high load of the housing. This platform enables the Xiaomi Redmi 4 Prime faster version with HD-TVs.

Synthetic test results can hardly be called impressive, but they show that most users will be enough capacity in all usage scenarios.

Noticeable and when tested: lags and locked up a shell there, the games run smoothly, web surfing and video streaming does not make the phone slow down.

operating system

The smartphone runs on MIUI 8.2, built on the basis of Android 6.0.1. Unlike the standard Android, branded shell has advanced settings, convenient shutter own gestures for managing and scaling the steep interface.

There is a simplified version of the shell, which is activated from the settings and turns the Xiaomi Redmi 4 into a kind of a simple dialer. At the very least, call the necessary functions works the same way.

autonomy

New budget-equipped with the same battery capacity as in Redmi Note 4 - 4,100 mAh. This kind of record for a compact smartphone with a diagonal of 5 inches. And if for a larger smartphone may not be enough, then Redmi 4 Prime with autonomy all right.

Without load the smartphone can live for months. Use standard mode with a couple hours of correspondence in the messengers, Web surfing in 4G, using your smartphone as a player and a game console consumes the battery not earlier than in the evening the second day. Moderate consumption of content allows it to survive for about 3 days.

Total time operating screen load exceeds 10 hours. On the synthetic tests - almost 11. This result is comparable with smartphones from major brands are running optimized firmware.

Why are there the usual devices: most devices with capacious batteries (over 5000 mAh), for example, tested Layfhakerom Leagoo Shark 1Shows minimal battery life under load.

camera

As the main chamber 4 Redmi used Prime 13 megapixel module with aperture f / 2.2. Photosystem complemented by phase-contrast AF system, and two-tone flash. Today, it is the de facto standard for budget smartphones. However, most Chinese vehicles show that the quality of the survey does not depend on the number of megapixels, and by optimization software.

This is most clearly was evident in the previous test Xiaomi Redmi 3S. The device did grainy pictures hung at HDR-shooting in the dark and bad shooting in difficult light situations. In comparison, the photo quality Xiaomi Redmi Prime 4 higher on the head.

The device correctly detects light levels and white balance. Of course, professional photos should not wait, but even in the "Auto" in good light (even combined) can be a great shot, do not require additional treatment. HDR mode is optimized, bugs fixed.

Together with the nimble auto focus and flash bright enough it allows to get good shots for viewing on the screen of your smartphone or for download in the social network. Of course, the document will be saved. More from this category of devices and is not worth the wait.

As used front camera 5 megapixel module without autofocus. Of course, there are plenty of extra processing capabilities, but this camera is only suitable for less demanding users. Selfie lovers may not like: still no flash requires a sufficient level of illumination.

Sound

This feature in the review of budget smartphones often looks ridiculous. Dedicated audio processors in them there is no working software tokens are rare. However Xiaomi Redmi 4 Prime completely fulfills its price, because fresh Qualcomm generation processor has a good integrated DAC.

For the noisy streets and MP3-quality sound will be enough. In general, it is enough for everyone who does not strive for the quality of Meizu MX4 Pro (and to anyone who is either the name of not saying anything). If necessary, you can use the system a great equalizer with a mass of settings.

The main speaker is loud, but the sound quality is only enough for ringtones. Low frequencies are cut off. The earpiece has a large reserve of sufficient volume and clarity.

conclusions

Ruler Redmi - this is perhaps the best development of Xiaomi. Almost all of these devices can be recommended for purchase. Some versions are better for one category of consumers, some - to another.

Xiaomi Redmi 4 Prime slightly more expensive than the base model. If a younger version with Snapdragon 430 processor will cost the buyer in $ 135 (With coupon RE4X), the older version with Snapdragon 625 processor costs almost 170 dollars.

The price is reasonable, if you look at the state of the market: the nearest competitors like Huawei Nova now cost even more expensive and have slightly different characteristics balance. Meizu with its line 3 / 5s incomparable with Prime-Redmi version 4 of the much weaker processor, HD-screen and low autonomy. The most adequate comparison Xiaomi Redmi Prime 4 can be performed with Lenovo ZUK Z2, but it's a premium device, despite the cost.

Among strong characteristics Xiaomi Redmi 4 Prime:

• good screen;
• great autonomy;
• comfortable shape and stylish design;
• shell-designed software.

With such advantages disadvantages pale: high-quality cameras and sound - the inheritance of a completely different category of smartphones. Therefore, the new product deserves the title of "the most appropriate device for each day" or "the most balanced smartphone with a diagonal of 5 inches."

And the price - that price? Xiaomi Redmi 4 Prime fulfills each dollar spent.