Xiaomi launched the Mi 4c smartphone to little fanfare last month. And while the Chinese electronics maker has always been known for solid handsets with a small price tag, the impending release of the flagship Mi 5 inevitably overshadowed the midrange offering's launch.
Nonetheless, the Mi 4c is definitely one smartphone you shouldn't miss, especially if you're looking for an Android phone that doesn't break the bank. In fact, If you're considering buying the $625 LG G4 or even the much less expensive Nexus 5X, you might want to check out the Mi 4c instead, as it shares almost the same -— or sometimes even better — specs than the Nexus 5X and even trumps the LG G4 in benchmark tests.
All three phones run on the same hexa-core Snapdragon 808 from Qualcomm, with four 1.44 GHz Cortex-A53 cores and two 1.82 GHz Cortex-A57, so it's not surprising to see the Mi 4c holding its ground against some of this year's most popular Android flagships. The 16GB version has 2GB of RAM, similar to what Google offers on the 16GB Nexus 5. However, the 32GB Mi 4c gets a larger 3GB RAM, while Google keeps the 2GB RAM on the 32GB Nexus 5.
Both smartphones are roughly around the same size, but the Nexus 5X is slightly larger with a 5.2-inch display, while the Mi 4c stops at five inches. Both have Full HD resolutions, but since the Mi 4c is smaller, it has a higher pixel density of 441 ppi, resulting in crisp, clear images. On the back of the Mi 4c is a 13-megapixel camera, which is slightly larger than the 12.3-megapixel at the back of the Nexus 5X. Where Google's flagship trumps the Mi 4c, however, is the capacity to shoot Quad HD video in 30 fps. Both phones have the same 5-megapixel front shooter.
The Mi 4c also proves to be a staunch competitor against the LG G4. In multiple benchmark tests conducted by Android Pit, Xiaomi's midranger proved to be the more powerful device when put through AnTuTu and Geekbench. While the G4 scored higher in Vellamo benchmarks, the Mi 4c ran away with a score or 54171 on AnTuTu, compared to the G4's 48,209. It also scored higher on Geekbench's single-core test, registering a 1,263, while the G4 earned 1,130. The G4, however, had a higher multi-core test of 3,487, while the Mi 4c didn't do so bad with 3,234.
Design-wise, the Mi 4c's aesthetics may not be too exciting. On the software side, MIUI 7 does not come preinstalled with Google Play, but nothing's stopping you from installing it yourself to get access to the 1.6 million Android apps available. Also, Xiaomi puts a lot emphasis on speed and customization, while introducing its own additions to its Android skin, such as edge controls. Plus, it has support for USB Type-C, the first smartphone to do so before Google unveiled the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P.
What this all means for the Mi 4c is that, while specs and benchmarks are not the end all and be all of smartphone performance, Xiaomi's newest midrange handset is definitely not something to ignore.
Right now, however, the Mi 4c is not officially available in the U.S., but interested buyers can pick one up from a retailer. The phone is unlocked, but make sure the model you get has LTE bands that work with your carrier.
