I'm in need of a replacement for my current phone, since it just can't handle modern workloads anymore. Now I noticed this phone on AliExpress and I'm wondering if it's worth buying.
I don't need that much, mostly just being able to run WhatsApp, LinkedIn and a few light apps. Although maybe some multimedia would be nice. I like speed over beauty. And one feature I find pretty much essential is the ability to record my calls.
I notice a whole bunch of different Note 4's on Ali. Two different CPU's, both 8-core and one 10-core variant, 2/3/4G RAM and up to 64G storage capacity. Note 4 and Note 4X. Reading some of the other threads I should go for a SnapDragon, and one can never have enough RAM. But most of those threads are a bit older, maybe the development has opened up more and this changed?
My previous experience with a phone directly from China wasn't the greatest, with battery calibration errors and some apps that just wouldn't install. So I could use some advice here.
Can this phone do what I need it to do (with or without a custom ROM)? Can it be rooted? Which model should I get?
I appreciate any tips and answers you can give me.
Check the following points before buying:
- the 4 / 4X differences are 0, the only important difference is about the chipset
- get the version with Snapdragon chipset, MediaTek is crap
- check the 4G bands available if they're compatible with your country (mainly it's all about band 20)
- choose from the 3GB RAM / 32GB storage version or the 4GB / 64GB
Usually they call 4X the Snapdragon version and 4 the MediaTek one, but this difference is used mainly for identifying the ROMs. Because in reality there are 4X with MediaTek and 4 with Snapdragon. And on the phone box there is written always 4, never 4X.
Then unlock bootloader and install Xiaomi.eu ROM to get all the features you want. It's a lighter and optimized version of stock ROM.
Check if your carrier is using B4 or B20 LTE band. Redmi Note 4 Global support this bands (it's international version of the phone), Redmi Note 4x doesn't support them (it's Asia variant).
Always make sure you buy the variant with Snapdragon 625 chip (Mido).
So that would be a Global Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 with 4/64GiB based on a 8-core Snapdragon S625 CPU?
No surprises? I won't get apps that won't install because they don't recognize the phone? Or a boot loader that's too new to unlock, preventing me from installing a new ROM?
And there are ROMs out there that support call recording?
Looks like the main carriers in NL will support it.
Did I forget anything?
And for the current owners: know of a good flip case or at least something that will keep the scratches off?
Orionos said:
So that would be a Global Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 with 4/64GiB based on a 8-core Snapdragon S625 CPU?
No surprises? I won't get apps that won't install because they don't recognize the phone? Or a boot loader that's too new to unlock, preventing me from installing a new ROM?
And there are ROMs out there that support call recording?
Looks like the main carriers in NL will support it.
Did I forget anything?
And for the current owners: know of a good flip case or at least something that will keep the scratches off?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you will be fine, just confirm twice before buying that the phone has Snapdragon 625 chip and that it does support B20 band (800MHz), it will guarantee that it is Redmi Note 4 Global variant you absolutely need it since you are from Europe.
Call recording is available even on stock ROM.
Related
Hi all,
I'm considering getting a Redmi Note 3 (Snapdragon version/Pro). I'm a little confused about the bands that it supports. When I check wellmyphonework.net it says that the Global model will work on LTE Band 4, but the China/Unicom one will not. Looking in the forums I see Global and China Roms, but nothing definitive about separate physical models.
Is the hardware all the same(ignoring RAM/Storage variations)? Do the supported bands depend solely on which ROM is installed? If there are distinct hardware versions is there any way to tell which one I would get from ebay or AliExpress?
Thanks in advance.
smallmj said:
Hi all,
I'm considering getting a Redmi Note 3 (Snapdragon version/Pro). I'm a little confused about the bands that it supports. When I check wellmyphonework.net it says that the Global model will work on LTE Band 4, but the China/Unicom one will not. Looking in the forums I see Global and China Roms, but nothing definitive about separate physical models.
Is the hardware all the same(ignoring RAM/Storage variations)? Do the supported bands depend solely on which ROM is installed? If there are distinct hardware versions is there any way to tell which one I would get from ebay or AliExpress?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The lte band support is hardware dependant, software doesn't matter.
I've bought mine with China global and lte is working fine in Europe.
Sent from Note 3, Xiaomi Redmi Note 3.
mr.loverlover said:
The lte band support is hardware dependant, software doesn't matter.
I've bought mine with China global and lte is working fine in Europe.
Sent from Note 3, Xiaomi Redmi Note 3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's simply not true. The SD650 supports Band 4 which is what he's asking about. Europe doesn't use Band 4 and all the versions support European lte bands. On another thread here a user with AT&T was getting lte on the vendor rom and changed to the Global rom and now only gets H+. I too would like to know which version of the phone I have.
Gents,
Looking at picking up a Redmi Note 3 Pro but I'm very confused on the frequencies it supports. Every website seems to say something different. I really require 1700/2100mHz for my provider.
From what I've read, certain variations of the phone do, while some don't. How can I tell which?
Much appreciated!
you need the Note 3 Pro Special Edition (aka Kate) which has a snapdragon 650. It's also known as the International edition but that may depend on the seller.
http://www.geekbuying.com/item/Xiaomi-Redmi-Note-3-Pro-5-5-Inch-FHD-3GB-32GB-Smartphone-371103.html
Is the snapdragon 650 the key to determining model? Lots of them on eBay with the 650, but are there different variants even within them?
Appreciate the help
BobSlob said:
Is the snapdragon 650 the key to determining model? Lots of them on eBay with the 650, but are there different variants even within them?
Appreciate the help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, MTK version only has differences between RAM and internal storage sizes (2GB/16GB and 3G/32GB) but the SD versions not only have the RAM/internal storage differences, there is the special/international edition which adds multiple bands.
BobSlob said:
Is the snapdragon 650 the key to determining model? Lots of them on eBay with the 650, but are there different variants even within them?
Appreciate the help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are two versions of Snapdragon phones, kenzo and kate. Get the kate version, available at Geekbuying.
Link already provided in this thread.
BobSlob said:
Gents,
Looking at picking up a Redmi Note 3 Pro but I'm very confused on the frequencies it supports. Every website seems to say something different. I really require 1700/2100mHz for my provider.
From what I've read, certain variations of the phone do, while some don't. How can I tell which?
Much appreciated!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually before you buy which variant of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 Pro, make sure you know what bands your current
phone carrier supports. You mention you require 1700/2100MHz but does your provider support Band 4 (which runs on 1700/2100MHz) for Note 3 Pro Snapdragon variant. Make sure not to buy MediaTek variant since that does not have the frequencies you requested.
---------- Post added at 01:06 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:02 AM ----------
Unheardof said:
Actually before you buy which variant of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 Pro, make sure you know what bands your current
phone carrier supports. You mention you require 1700/2100MHz but does your provider support Band 4 (which runs on 1700/2100MHz) for Note 3 Pro Snapdragon variant. Make sure not to buy MediaTek variant since that does not have the frequencies you requested.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm referring to check the Band support of your phone provider, since if it definitely has Band 4 listed, then I presume you can use 3G HSPA+ when on Data or even better, the 4G LTE while on Data.
Unheardof said:
Actually before you buy which variant of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 Pro, make sure you know what bands your current
phone carrier supports. You mention you require 1700/2100MHz but does your provider support Band 4 (which runs on 1700/2100MHz) for Note 3 Pro Snapdragon variant. Make sure not to buy MediaTek variant since that does not have the frequencies you requested.
---------- Post added at 01:06 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:02 AM ----------
I'm referring to check the Band support of your phone provider, since if it definitely has Band 4 listed, then I presume you can use 3G HSPA+ when on Data or even better, the 4G LTE while on Data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My carrier supports 1700/2100 for AWS, so that's the big one I need. I don't see it listed anywhere (1700 listed under LTE). I'm not sure if they're the same or not. I'm ready to pull the trigger, just wanna make sure it works =D
goofball2k said:
Yes, MTK version only has differences between RAM and internal storage sizes (2GB/16GB and 3G/32GB) but the SD versions not only have the RAM/internal storage differences, there is the special/international edition which adds multiple bands.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks goofball... are you using one in Canada? (noticed your Ottawa tag). If so, with which provider?
BobSlob said:
Thanks goofball... are you using one in Canada? (noticed your Ottawa tag). If so, with which provider?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I was about to pull the trigger on one (and still fighting with myself) but decided to wait until the Redmi Note 4 comes out. I'm using a Samsung Galaxy Note 4 which is still a pretty good phone so I'm not in a huge rush.
Hi,
I wanna order my redmi note 3 but i don't know what phone is the right one. there are so many models...
i want to flash a pretty clean AOSP or CM rom on it that is stable so im required to buy the right model.
When i look around i usually see pro's, with 3GB ram and a octa core but i have seen some with hexa core both claiming to be snapdragons...
I want to use this phone in europe.
which one is the Kenzo model with snapdragon and alot of custom roms etc?
are there a lot of 'fake' xiaomi's on ebay?
Greetz
Rens
You get the snapdragon. It is a hexacore SD 650.
What LTE bands do you need? There is a Kate which has more than the Kenzo.
goofball2k said:
You get the snapdragon. It is a hexacore SD 650.
What LTE bands do you need? There is a Kate which has more than the Kenzo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think B20, will probably not get 4G unless in bigger city's but i don't care for 4G that much anyway.. 3G is fine by me.
Doesn't kate have less rom choice?
Which is better kate or kenzo? and how do i know which one am buying??
Kate is newer than Kenzo, so yeah it has less support and even some people don't know it exists!
Kenzo is the Redmi note 3 Pro. Has LTE band 3 (1800mhz) only.
Kate is the Redmi note 3 Pro special edition or international edition. Has LTE Band 3 and Band 20 (800mhz).
I ordered the Kate one although I know it has less support, but I need all international LTE bands!
So the Note 4 625 is cheaper on Aliexpress (global version with bands) than the 4X. Now I wonder if the SD 625 version has the display and camera of the X20 version...
What are the differences and can anyone confirm if they are the same or different?
gideonMorrison said:
So the Note 4 625 is cheaper on Aliexpress (global version with bands) than the 4X. Now I wonder if the SD 625 version has the display and camera of the X20 version...
What are the differences and can anyone confirm if they are the same or different?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I already write about these differences - you can find it on my post here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=71608109&postcount=7
Note 4 (MTK) has Samsung S5K3L8 camera sensor - Note 4X and Note 4 (SD625) have Sony IMX258 camera sensor
The global version will let you have 4G in some countries that wouldn't work in 4G cuz it lack of the neccesary band (the 4x version)
I think that's the main difference? other than that it is the same as the 4X and the Note 4 with Helios X20 is the oldest one but still kicking ass.
Edit: Summary!
Note 4 Helios x20 has some great performace but it is less efficient and the battery will drain faster than the other versions
Note 4x Was made for the Indian using a snapdragon 625 cuz xiaomi can not sell mediatek anymore in india i do not remember why; The snapdragon has a much newer architecture and is more efficient with the battery consumption so you will have more time of SOT (Screen on Time)
Note 4 Global Same as 4x but enables 4g connectivity in some countries that needed that band, the 4X runs in 3G or H +
PriPhaze said:
The global version will let you have 4G in some countries that wouldn't work in 4G cuz it lack of the neccesary band (the 4x version)
I think that's the main difference? other than that it is the same as the 4X and the Note 4 with Helios X20 is the oldest one but still kicking ass.
Edit: Summary!
Note 4 Helios x20 has some great performace but it is less efficient and the battery will drain faster than the other versions
Note 4x Was made for the Indian using a snapdragon 625 cuz xiaomi can not sell mediatek anymore in india i do not remember why; The snapdragon has a much newer architecture and is more efficient with the battery consumption so you will have more time of SOT (Screen on Time)
Note 4 Global Same as 4x but enables 4g connectivity in some countries that needed that band, the 4X runs in 3G or H +
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dude Note 4 is the Indian version, not 4X
Hi all,
I have been reading the Snapdragon 855 specifications:
https://www.qualcomm.com/products/snapdragon-855-mobile-platform
And I can see there are some interesting features not activated in the MI9.
I am talking about WiFi-6, LTE Cat-20 speed, 4x4 MiMo, CA7, etc.
All of them related to data on air speed.
Some of them need specific hardware (basically antennas) but I wonder if some of them could be activated modifying the Kernel and ROM.
For example, the Galaxy 10 has same 855 processor but has these features activated.
I guess Xiaomi has left some features off thinking on future models.
Thanks
Probably waiting to release an upgraded version of the Mi 9 with 5G capabilities
Not 5G, because MI9 uses X24 Modem, not the newest X50.
Most likely on the MI10
But some other features should be doable to get.