Redmi Turbo 4 In-Depth Hands-on Review: A Balancing Act of Strengths and Shortcomings

Redmi Turbo 4 In-Depth Hands-on Review: A Balancing Act of Strengths and ShortcomingsSince its release, Xiaomi's Redmi Turbo 4 has generated significant buzz in the Chinese market, attracting considerable attention and even strong purchase intent. Its almost flawless specifications, coupled with a strategy of increased value without a price hike, make it undeniably appealing

Redmi Turbo 4 In-Depth Hands-on Review: A Balancing Act of Strengths and Shortcomings

Since its release, Xiaomi's Redmi Turbo 4 has generated significant buzz in the Chinese market, attracting considerable attention and even strong purchase intent. Its almost flawless specifications, coupled with a strategy of increased value without a price hike, make it undeniably appealing. To gain a deeper understanding of its real-world performance, I visited an offline store for a hands-on experience, aiming for an objective evaluation of its strengths and weaknesses.

First impressions centered on the phone's weight. At approximately 200 grams, it's not feather-light, nor is it excessively heavy; the grip is acceptable. However, users accustomed to lighter phones might find it slightly weighty, a point worth noting. It's worth mentioning the Redmi Turbo 4 boasts a glass back, offering a comfortable feel and a significant improvement in aesthetics. The relatively wide chin on the front screen is noticeable, but for a phone in this price range, it's acceptable. To achieve perfection across the board would price it out of the budget-friendly market.

My hands-on experience revealed a plastic mid-frame, which offers a different feel compared to a metal frame. More significantly, compared to the Redmi Turbo 3, a key feature is missing: AI air gesture control. While many users might deem this feature less crucial, it does enhance the experience for frequent short-video consumers. Furthermore, the dual-ring light design around the rear camera might appeal more to younger users, while older users might find it somewhat abstract.

Surprisingly, as a new phone, the Redmi Turbo 4 lacks built-in XiaoAI (Xiaomi's voice assistant). This, in my opinion, is unacceptable. Whether due to delayed system updates or other reasons, this omission is inexplicable. The convenience of XiaoAI is undeniable; although it can be downloaded separately, its absence as a factory-installed feature is a significant drawback and deserves criticism.

During gaming performance tests, even under continuous charging, the Redmi Turbo 4 exhibited only minimal heating, avoiding serious thermal issues. This highlights the excellent performance and power efficiency of mid-range processors today, proving that cost-effective models don't lag behind flagships in terms of performance.

However, the Redmi Turbo 4's camera capabilities only meet basic user needs. For higher-quality photography, a flagship model should be considered. Since the phone remained plugged in throughout my testing, I couldn't conduct a battery life test, but the 6550mAh battery should provide ample endurance.

It's important to acknowledge the excellent performance of the Redmi Turbo 4's key features. The GPU and signal frequencies were both very satisfying. Furthermore, features like full-function NFC, infrared remote control, dual speakers, an X-axis linear motor, and IP69-rated water and dust resistance are all included, demonstrating its powerful hardware capabilities.

In summary, the Redmi Turbo 4's strengths lie in its balanced specifications, while its weaknesses reside in the plastic mid-frame and several detail shortcomings. In today's highly competitive market, even budget-friendly phones need to excel in all aspects.

Many netizens believe the Redmi Turbo 4's starting price is slightly high, even predicting a price drop later. In my view, whether to "buy early and enjoy" or wait for a price reduction depends on individual needs.

Ultimately, the Redmi Turbo 4's capabilities are undeniable. For users considering a phone upgrade, I recommend a hands-on experience at an offline store before making a final decision. Whether this phone is worthwhile ultimately depends on individual needs and budget.

In conclusion, here's a summary of the Redmi Turbo 4's pros and cons:

Pros:

• Balanced Specifications: Processor, RAM, storage, etc., perform well for daily use.

• Large Battery Capacity: 6550mAh battery ensures long battery life.

• Rich Feature Set: Full-function NFC, infrared remote, dual speakers, X-axis linear motor, and IP69 water and dust resistance are all included.

• Excellent Performance: Games run smoothly with good thermal management.

• Comfortable Grip: The glass back provides a comfortable hand feel.

Cons:

• Slightly Heavy: Might feel heavy for users who prefer lighter phones.

• Plastic Mid-frame: Inferior feel compared to a metal frame.

• Lack of AI Air Gesture Control: Missing compared to the previous generation.

• No Built-in XiaoAI: Requires separate download and installation, causing inconvenience.

• Average Camera Performance: Only meets basic photography needs, unsuitable for professional photography.

• Relatively Wide Screen Chin: Might be a drawback for users who prefer a more bezel-less design.

Hopefully, this analysis will help users better understand the Redmi Turbo 4 and make a more informed purchase decision.