Smart Phones by stefan @ 2015-02-24
After testing a lot of aspects of the Mi4 smartphone which was the Xiaomi flagship of last year, we can consider ourselves quite impressed in terms of performance and the gap it has created over the mainstream models we have tested in the past is quite big.
At first we would like to thank XiaomiShop.com for offering a sample of the Xiaomi Mi4 64GB for testing and reviewing. At the moment of the review, the smartphone is available online for about $469.99.
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Xiaomi Culture
Xiaomi Tech Company was founded in April,2010 in Beijing. It’s a mobile internet company focused on researching and developing high-end smartphones independently and owns three core businesses - Xiaomi phones, MIUI and MiChat. It’s also the pioneer company for developing mobile Phone OS(operation system).
Xiaomi Team
Xiaomi Tech company was created by the famous investor Mr Lei Jun and other 6 partners: they are Ling Bing, Li Wanqiang ,Zhou Guangping ,Huang Jiangji, Liu De, Hong Feng.
Xiaomi Team is composed of many senior staffs from Microsoft, Google, Jinshan, MOTO and other domestic and foreign IT companies. It’s a powerful and hardworking team. They prefer innovation, fast developing Internet culture and refuse mediocrity.
Xiaomi’s LOGO is a “MI” shape, MI is the abbreviation of Mobile Internet, and it shows us Xiaomi tech is a mobile internet company and innovator.
To all of you, from all of us at our online store: thank you and enjoy shopping!”
Crafted to perfection
Snapdragon 801 2.5GHz, Adreno 330 GPU, 3GB LPDDR3 RAM, 16GB eMMC 5.0 Flash, 5" IPS Full HD 441 PPI, Gorilla Glass OGS, 13MP f1.8 rear, 8MP f1.8 front 80° wide camera, 3080mAh lithium-ion battery, Quick Charge 2.0, MIUI 6
Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 quad-core 2.5GHz processor
Mi 4 is built around Qualcomm's Snapdragon 801 chipset and its four 2.5GHz Krait 400 processor cores, which gives you 14% more computing speed. Nearly 2 times faster in image processing than its predecessor, it has an unrivalled ability to handle several complex tasks while maximizing battery life, thanks to its super energy-efficient Hexagon DSP core.
Adreno 330 GPU
The 3D rendering capabilities of a gaming console
The Adreno 330 GPU supports advanced graphics APIs, including OpenGL ES 3.0, OpenCL,Renderscript Compute and FlexRender. It can render highly complex graphics at lightning speed, thanks to Unified Shader Architecture and FlexRender's fast rendering technology. Unified Shader Architecture dynamically adjusts the allocation of computing resources depending on the type of image, with independent adjustment of pixel and vertex shaders. FlexRender's technology dynamically chooses between immediate and deferred rendering modes, which enables the Adreno GPU to deliver images in games faster and more efficiently.
Energy-efficient DSP core
The latest Hexagon QDSP6V5A DSP technology makes video and image-based apps particularly energy-efficient. As a result they can run for longer and drain less battery power.
Quad-core reduces power wastage
High performance mobile (HPm) technology and aSMP dynamic CPU power-supply control can manage the frequency and voltage of each core chip in the CPU independently based on the application usage scenario, in order to reduce unnecessary power wastage. Quick Charge 2.0 accelerated charging technology reduces charging time by 75%.
High color-saturation with 84% NTSC gamut
Mi 4 features a high color-saturation Sharp/JDI display, with 17% better overall color saturation for a richer viewing experience. Whether you're looking at photos, watching videos, or using exciting apps, Mi 4 delivers vivid colors.
13MP Sony High-Speed Camera
Great photos in milliseconds. Sony's IMX 214 13MP Exmor RS stacked image sensor collects more light through a 6-element lens and autofocuses in just 0.3 seconds. With a large f/1.8 aperture, Mi 4 delivers great low-light performance and bokeh effects. Give Magic Focus mode a try - just snap an image and choose your point-of-focus later. It's magic!
MIUI 6
Discover new functions, shortcuts, customizations and animations embedded within MIUI 6. Each swipe, pinch and flick is co-developed and upgraded regularly, based on improvement suggestions from some 100 million active MIUI users worldwide.
Use your phone as a remote control
Mi 4's in-built infrared remote control function supports transfer protocols with infrared receiving equipment. The Mi remote control app can be used to operate televisions, air-conditioning units and a vast array of other home appliances. The app currently supports 2,853 devices, and more are being added all the time.
The external packaging looks very similar to the one we have seen with the Note 4G, also from Xiaomi. It is made of recycled cardboard and looks pretty plain, only with the MI logo on the top cover:
On the bottom area we have the Xiaomi authenticity logo along with the product specifications in Chinese, IMEI but also the product serial number:
Let’s remove the top cover and see what we have inside! Mi4 sits in the middle along with some of the bundle:
Besides the protective screen, we will also receive one leaflet telling us that damages to the card reader due to improper usage are not covered by the warranty. We are also supplied with a sticker for cutting manually a mini-SIM into a micro-SIM, but we would recommend instead to do the switch at our service provider:
The chassis of the Mi4 has a length of 139.2mm, width of 68.5mm and depth of 8.9mm; it is quite nice to hold in hand and operate, something we could not say about some 5.5’’ smartphones. Xiaomi has fitted a 5’’ Sharp/JDI high-color saturation screen with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels and 441PPI; between the screen and the frame we have 2.6mm:
On top we have the light sensor, proximity sensor, while the frontal camera has one 8MP Sony Exmor RS back-illuminated image sensor:
The lower screen area also comes with the Menu, Home and Back Android capacitive buttons; under the Home button we also have a very discrete Status LED, which lights up depending on the status of the smartphone:
The aluminum steel frame of the Mi4 is built via a quite complicated process, in order to ensure top quality:
Step 1: selecting high-quality stainless steel to press and cut
Step 2: metal forging
Step 3: CNC milling
Step 4: Sand blasting
Step 5: PVD and AF coating
Step 6: Laser cutting to complete the frame
On the bottom area of the Mi4, we have the micro-USB 2.0 port along with the speaker grill:
On the right side we have carefully placed the Power/Standby button along with the Volume rocker:
Here is a closer look at the aluminum buttons:
On the top, we have the headphone jack along with the IR blaster; the IR blaster can be used for controlling all sorts of devices and while Xiaomi had the Mi Remote application ready but only in Chinese, a good member of MIUI forum has translated most of it and now the app is ready for international use:
On the left side of the device, we will be able to spot the small SIM tray:
The SIM tray is ejectable via the pin which is included as a bundle:
On the back side of the Mi4, we have a cover with grating pattern design. This part uses an all-new In Mold Transfer (IMT) technology, which involves fusing 9 layers of membranes to form a back cover with a thickness of just 0.8mm:
The 13MP back Sony camera features an aperture of f/1.8, with 6-element lens and chroma flash; internally, we are dealing with the Sony IMX 214 stacked sensor, which is able to focus really fast, in about 0.3 seconds. The device can also record videos up to 4K; on top we can also spot the microphone port:
On the lower area, we will get to see the chromed MI logo:
Let’s dig in and look what we have included as the rest of the bundle:
All elements are packaged individually, and we will also get a small envelope with documentation:
The USB charger has a similar look to what we have seen with the Note 4G:
On the bottom layer, we will be able to spot the power rating:
The top comes with one USB charging port:
The USB cable features a rubberized finish for a good grip:
After opening up the envelope, we will be also able to spot the pin for SIM tray removal:
The documentation is offered only in Chinese language, unfortunately:
Along with the sample, we have also received two protective cases for the terminal:
Flip Leather Case Window View for Xiaomi Mi4
Protective TPU Back Case for Xiaomi Mi4
Let’s begin with the Flip Leather Case Window View for the Xiaomi Mi4 which is available in multiple colors; as the name says, the case features a top cover flip design, which is also provided with a plastic window, in order to be able to see some of the lock screen information; unfortunately, this case does not feature smart auto sleep / wake functions:
By the looks of the back side, we can find out that this case also possesses docking capabilities:
Here is a close look at the camera/flash cut-outs, along with the microphone port hole:
Besides the top leatherette layer, inside we will find a hard plastic component:
The Mi4 smartphone can be installed in a snap inside the case:
Here is an example of the information which can be viewed while in lock mode:
Also, let’s take a look around the smartphone in order to check out how the interfaces are protected:
The Mi4 can be placed conveniently for watching multimedia content or typing:
The next case we are going to take a look at is the Protective TPU Back Case for Xiaomi Mi4, which is also available in multiple colors:
This specific product is more compact, designed to fit onto the Mi4 chassis like a glove and its aim is to protect against scratches and bumps:
The installation of the product is pretty straight-forward so let’s see how the Mi4 looks on the sides with the back case applied:
On the back, we have nice cut-outs for the camera, chroma flash but also for the microphone:
Our sample has not arrived with MIUI6 preinstalled, but with MIUI5 and to be more precise version 4.6.20; after the Mi4 has booted up, we were welcomed by the MIUI official launcher, which also has some stock applications preinstalled:
First, we can talk about the Camera application, which features quite a minimalistic interface and also has an extra button for accessing more settings:
Of course, we can access the advanced section, where we can select the aspect ratio, picture quality, GPS location information, camera sounds on/off and so on:
The Gallery application will allow us to navigate through our photo collection:
Next, we have the Music application, which besides local content it does also work with the online service; here we can also access the FM radio option:
Themes are one of the enhancement features we really like about MIUI and from this section we can download the theme we like most via online connection and update the ones we have previously saved for local use; not all themes are free, some need usage of MI credits:
A Tools folder contains some additional applications:
Mi Cloud allows us to work with online messaging service, mobile sync, device localization and more:
The default e-mail application supports multiple services:
Next, we can click on the Updater shortcut, which will redirect us to the page where we can see the currently installed version and search for new revisions; in this case, we were signaled with a “no new version available message” so in order to update to V6 we would have to do this via Recovery mode:
The Clock application is similar to what we can see at stock Android, but nicely skinned:
The same thing we can say about Recorder; this application can be also used for playback of the pre-recorded calls:
MIUI Radio will search for analog stations, but in order to get the best reception we will have to insert a pair of earphones:
The Torch application allows us to use the bright back LED as a flashlight:
Next, we could remind of the Calculator, which is pretty self-explanatory:
The Compass application, after it gets synced will show the current latitude, longitude, but also the current pressure and altitude:
A NFC application is also included, but this feature is not supported by the Mi4:
Next, we have the SIM Toolkit application for changing the IMSI:
Security is a useful tool for cleaning unnecessary files, checking data usage, defining a block list and more:
Calendar is another nicely skinned application of MIUI:
Next, we have Notes, which allows us to take short annotations:
The Weather application will prompt us for the current location in order to display the forecast:
The File Explorer application will index the internal flash content for categorizing the files in different sections; we can access the full-fledged explorer by clicking on the Phone tab:
As Music, the Video application also has links to online content:
The transfer application will allow us to send files to other devices too:
For additional security, we have the MiAuth application:
Play Store was pre-installed on this release, so we could benefit from the large number of available applications:
The Contacts section is also skinned depending on which theme we choose, along with the dialer:
This area also has multiple advanced options we can modify, including call recording:
The default browser works really well for rendering web pages:
The Messaging stock application is pretty self-explanatory:
Now we will proceed to the Settings menu, which will allow us to modify system-wide options; this one is split in two sections, Quick Settings and All Settings:
We will proceed straight to the All Settings menu, where we have Mobile Network Settings available for working with provider data services, data roaming, APNs, network type selection or network operators:
The Wi-Fi settings menu allows us to select an available network and connect to it, considering that we have the credentials known:
The Bluetooth menu will display the detected devices:
Next, we could remind of the Wireless & Networks display, where we can specify a VPN connection, enable tethering or connect to a display via Wi-Fi connection:
The Display menu comes with the usual Android stock options, but also includes extras like Color temperature & saturation or pulse notification light:
The Color temperature & saturation menu allows us to perform some more additional actions:
The Sound menu allows us to modify the volume levels, adjust vibration behavior, choose ringtones and more:
The volume levels we can adjust are better categorized than we have seen on some MTK Android releases:
If we try to adjust the ringtones, we will see again that this section is also tied to the online services, which is great, and in some cases we do not need this way to install additional applications:
The Notification shade and status bar allows for more customization, including the ability to show the live network speed and traffic info:
The Security & Privacy menu is pretty standard:
From the Location Services menu, we will be able to adjust GPS modes and recent location requests:
The Settings menu also has a DND mode:
Next, we can navigate to the Battery menu, which comes with several sub-menus; here we can also adjust the kernel to work in Balanced or High Performance mode. In some situations, MIUI will detect that we need more power (especially in benchmarks like AnTuTu) and will suggest switching to High Performance mode:
The Storage menu shows how much space we have left for installing new applications, saving multimedia content and so on:
The Buttons & keys menu allows us to set custom functionalities for the capacitive buttons, lateral buttons but also work with the button lights:
The LED menu takes care of the discrete notification light under the capacitive Home button:
Some Headset Settings are also available:
The Date & time menu is the standard one:
We can say the same thing about the Language & input menu, which also allows choosing a custom keyboard:
The Apps section acts as a task manager and from here we can also uninstall unwanted applications:
Backup & reset menu allows performing local backups an can also help us do a factory reset:
The Accessibility menu is another stock Android feature:
Same thing can be said about Developer options:
The About phone menu will show us the model code name, Android version, MIUI version, CPU type, total RAM and more:
The Xiaomi Mi4 64GB is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8974 810 quad-core SoC which includes the processor at 2.5GHz and the Adreno 330 GPU @ 578MHz for fast 3D performance. This one is paired with 3GB of LPDDR3 RAM in order to be able to keep up with future trends:
The System tab of CPU-Z shows the base Android version along with the current Kernel version and so on:
The Battery tab informs us of the current status of the battery like temperature and current voltage:
If we look in the Sensors tab, we will discover that the Mi4 smartphone is packed with sensors, which make tracking applications like Runtastic, Runkeeper draw pretty accurate graphs:
To test out the performances of the Xiaomi Mi4 64GB smartphone, we have installed some freeware benchmark apps from the Google Play Store in the internal memory (did not transfer them to a 3rd party microSDHC card, in order not to influence the test results). Afterwards, the applications were ran one-by-one, and we recorded the final scores; the obtained results were also compared with the previously tested systems, in order to spot the performance differences.
Since MIUI V6 is already available for the Mi4, we have flashed the latest version from Xiaomi.eu in order to compare the scores with the pre-installed V5:
The 1080P screen looks gorgeous, with lively colors and does not have issues when viewed from a specific angle.
After testing a lot of aspects of the Mi4 smartphone which was the Xiaomi flagship of last year, we can consider ourselves quite impressed in terms of performance and the gap it has created over the mainstream models we have tested in the past is quite big. This is mainly thanks to the included Qualcomm MSM8974AC Snapdragon 801 SoC which includes four Krait 400 cores at 2.5GHz and the Adreno 330 as the GPU. The full-HD IPS LCD 5inch fully laminated touchscreen from Sharp/JDI does not seem to put a big strain on the SoC when rendering 3D animations so we should expect everything to run very smooth.
Talking about the dimensions of the phone, this particular model is quite comfortable to keep inside the pocket, something we could not say about some of the 5.5’’ phablets, which is great! Xiaomi has included high quality materials with the Mi4, with an innovative process for the back cover; the back cover is also removable in order to accommodate other styles and replacements are also available at XiaomiShop.com.
Next, we could remind of the storage space available on the device; the 64GB version offers plenty of speedy internal storage, which is ideal for keeping our photo collection, music albums, video clips or for shooting in 4K. If we center ourselves more on cloud storage and OTG drives for constant data swap, then we also have the 16GB cheaper version at our disposal. However, if we usually install lots of applications which are nowadays bigger and bigger, the smaller capacity may not be quite enough.
We have met before with the Sony Exmor IMX214 sensor, but that time it was paired with pretty crappy lens; now Xiaomi has used proper components in order to produce high-quality output up to 13MP. While the reproduced scenes are quite detailed, we have seen that the sensor does not produce very good details around the edges, but maybe this will be fixed in a future MIUI variant, since bug fixes and modifications are released weekly. 4K shooting with the Mi4 is also a very nice bonus.
With the Mi4 we get support for A-GPS, GLONASS and Beidou for good accuracy, while the lock-on time is in some situations lightning fast.
While the AnTuTu benchmark battery test did not produce a stellar result, we have seen that in a non-synthetic environment the Mi4 works admirably and with regular browsing, message checking, calls and some light gaming we may end up having up to two days of battery life.
Besides the usual connectivity options, the Mi4 is also equipped with an IR blaster, which allows us to control different kinds of devices when using specialized applications, one of them being Mi Remote.
Xiaomi Mi4 is also packed with quite a bit of sensors like accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity, barometer or compass, which really help when using tracking applications.
Now, regarding the protective accessories, we were not particularly impressed and we would like to say why: firstly, after fitting the screen protector and using the Flip Leather Case Window View model, not even a day has passed and we have spotted scratches to the screen protector. It seems that any type of debris which catches between the top cover and the screen produces damage, which would not happen if the case would have been built with a soft material interior as we have seen with the Note 4G models. The Protective TPU Back Case, while it can be installed quite easy, it seems to pick up the screen protector in the corners for an unknown reason, which is not too great; judging by this situation, we would recommend using it only when we do not have a plastic screen protector fitted; by using a laminated glass protective screen though, this problem should be non-existent.
Talking about the shop prices, we will be able to purchase the 64GB version for about $469.99, while the 16GB version can be had for about $379.99. These two versions are available from the EU warehouses, so there won’t be Customs issues and with the order we will also get the following free gifts: flip leather case (random), one screen protector but also one touch pen.
We would like to thank again to XiaomiShop.com for making this review possible!
