Xiaomi has always tried to pack in a punch when it comes to hardware in the spectrum of budget smartphones and Redmi Note 4 is no different. Taking fuel from a deca-core MediaTek Helio X20processor with three core clusters to efficiently tackle different types of workloads, Redmi Note 4 performs admirably and consistently without any hiccups. Clocked at the highest frequency of 2.1 GHz, the tri-core clusters effectively allocate tasks to optimize performance and extend battery life. What these deca-core tri-clusters exactly do is delegate simple tasks to one cluster of cores, while directing more complex and power-hungry tasks to the other set of clusters. This also optimizes the device’s RAM processing and drives a smoother, more responsive performance, extending the battery life. Redmi Note 4 is also integrated with ARM-Mali class GPU and arrives in three RAM variants- 2GB, 3GB, and 4GB coupled with 32GB or 64GB of internal storage space. MediaTek Helio X20 is built on a 20nm fabrication which offers better energy efficiency than 28nm class devices. Sure, it may not be a powerhouse like 16nm or 12nm class devices but this mid-range SoC chugs along everyday tasks quite nicely.
It was able to handle everything I threw at it and there were no lags switching between games or memory-intensive apps. Also during multi-tab browsing there was no stutter by any means or measure. Multi-tasking on the device is a breeze, and it can handle graphic-intensive games without breaking a sweat. Although, I believe that a slight performance degradation might be expected for a power user in the 2GB variant but nothing that could be a showstopper. For casual users the 2GB variant would be good enough, I think. But it is without a shred of doubt that the top RAM variant of the Redmi Note 4 can handle everything with aplomb and is arguably the best performing smartphone in its category.
Sipping juice from a 4100mAh non-removable power unit, Redmi Note 4’s capacious battery with software optimizations and the power efficiency of MediaTek Helio X20 indubitably makes it a battery powerhouse. I was able to squeeze in two days of battery life without having to top-up once and even a day-and-a-half of extensive use, in case of such a situation. Also, it lasted over 15 hours in my non-stop video playback tests. The battery life here is sure impressive and that is why it hurts all the more that the Note 4 doesn’t come with any fast charging ability which is even more important in smartphones with huge battery capacities. The bottom line being that Redmi Note 4 is not perfect, but it is a budget beast and indeed a well-rounded package that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to anyone looking for a mid-tier smartphone. Packed in a neat chassis, the device performs admirably and is a compelling value-for-money smartphone.