Xiaomi Redmi 3S vs Redmi 4: Is the Upgrade Worth It?

We compare both the Redmi phones and tell you what’s new with the Redmi 4.

Xiaomi Redmi 4 in matte black, Redmi 3S in gold. (Photo: The Quint)

Xiaomi launched its Redmi 4 smartphone on Tuesday, with prices starting from Rs 6,999. The phone replaces Redmi 3S in the segment, which was launched in 2016.

Unlike the Redmi 3S, the Redmi 4 borrows its design elements from the Redmi Note 4, including the camera sensor, as mentioned by the company.

But for an upgrade, you need more than minute design changes, especially when the price is still in the same bracket. What about the camera, battery and display? We’ll tell you everything there is to know.

Design

In terms of looks, Redmi 4 has subtle changes when compared to the Redmi 3S. The edges are more pronounced, making it easier to hold. The phone is lighter than the Redmi 3S, and yet packs a bigger battery unit (not too much difference though).

Notice the difference in design of the display of the Redmi 4 in black and Redmi 3S in gold? (Photo: The Quint)

The keys are still not backlit, but the placement of speaker has changed from the back to the bottom of the device on the Redmi 4, on both sides of the microUSB port.

Noticeable design changes. (Photo: The Quint)

The matte black finishing on the Redmi 4 is a definite upgrade on the metallic touch of the Redmi 3S. Although the changes are minimal, but for what it’s worth, there isn’t much that Xiaomi could have done to make the Redmi 4 better than its predecessor in terms of looks.

Speakers at the bottom on the Redmi 4. (Photo: The Quint)

Hardware

Xiaomi has added a 4GB and 64GB storage variant with the Redmi 4, which is why the top variant of the phone costs Rs 10,999. Other than that, the Redmi 3S successor packs Snapdragon 435 processor, hybrid SIM slot, and retains the 5-inch 1280x720 pixels display with minor improvement in terms of quality.

Incremental upgrade on the Redmi 4. (Photo: The Quint)

The camera on offer still packs a 13-megapixel lens, but Xiaomi claims that the sensor is the same that is available with the Redmi Note 4.

Camera

Both Redmis pack 13-megapixel snappers. (Photo: The Quint)

This is the department which Xiaomi claims could be a big game changer for Redmi 4 in 2017. The 13-megapixel snapper at the back of the phone is pegged to be better than the one on Redmi 3S. So, how does it fare? We can give you some idea about that.

Shot with Redmi 4

Shot with Redmi 3S

Shot with Redmi 4. 

Shot with Redmi 3S

Shot with Redmi 4

Shot with Redmi 3S

As you can see with these pictures, Redmi 4 seems to deliver images with better colour balance. The detailing is more or less the same, but we did notice the processing speed on the Redmi 4 is much quicker than what the Redmi 3S offers.

Battery

Both the Redmi phones come with microUSB port. 

Finally, the thing that matters the most – a phone’s battery life – and just like the Redmi 3S, Xiaomi has added a 4100mAh unit on the Redmi 4. With the Redmi 3S, we always got more than 18 hours of life on single charge. And during our brief time with the Redmi 4, we’ve observed similar figures. And both of them are impressive to say the least.