Xiaomi Redmi Note 4: Screw Sizes And Repair Guide

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 is a smartphone in the Redmi Note series by Xiaomi Inc. It was first launched in China in 2016, with a global launch in 2017. The Redmi Note 4 has two variants: the older version is powered by a Deca-core Mediatek MT6797 Helio X20 SOC, while the upgraded version is powered by an Octa-core MSM8953 Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 SoC. The phone features a 5.5-inch display and a fingerprint sensor on the back. While the phone received generally positive reviews, some users have encountered issues with repairs and replacements, specifically regarding the screw sizes required for certain components. This has sparked discussions among users on forums and communities dedicated to Xiaomi devices, with individuals seeking advice on the specific screw sizes needed for their Redmi Note 4 devices.

Screw size for replacement screen

If you're looking to replace the screen on your Xiaomi Redmi Note 4, you'll need to know the correct screw size to complete the task. The Redmi Note 4 smartphone was launched in India in 2017 and has since gained popularity for its ease of repair. While the phone doesn't have any visible screws on the outside, you will need a screwdriver to remove the back cover and access the internal components.

To open the Redmi Note 4, you will need a star-shaped screwdriver with a size 2 head. This is a common size for smartphone repairs, and it is often included for free when you purchase a replacement screen. However, some users have reported that a Phillips #0 screwdriver is required for certain steps of the disassembly process.

It is important to note that the Redmi Note 4 has two variants: the older version with a MediaTek MT6797 Helio X20 SOC and the upgraded version, known as the Redmi Note 4X, powered by an Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 SoC. The process of replacing the screen may vary slightly between these two models, so ensure you have the correct screwdriver for your specific model.

Once you have the correct screwdriver, you can follow online guides to carefully remove the back cover and access the internal components. The screen is connected to the motherboard via ribbon cables, and you will need to be careful when detaching these cables. Overall, the Redmi Note 4 has been praised for its ease of repair, so with the correct tools and guidance, you should be able to successfully replace the screen.

Screwdriver type

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 smartphone has a range of screws that require different screwdrivers to open and access its internal components. The type of screwdriver you will need depends on the model of the Redmi Note 4, as there are different variants.

The Redmi Note 4 (MTK) has screws on each side of the micro-USB port, which can be accessed with a Phillips #0 Screwdriver. This variant also has a full metal body. The Redmi Note 4 Global variant, however, has an anodized aluminium body with plastic inserts at the top and bottom for better signal reception.

The Redmi Note 4X does not have the pair of screws by the micro-USB port, so a different screwdriver type may be required for this model.

When attempting to open the back cover of the Redmi Note 4, a slim plastic tool can be used as there are no visible screws on the outside. This method was used by a reviewer who performed a teardown of the device.

It is worth noting that some users have reported that a #0 screwdriver is too large for the screws on the Redmi Note 4 Global variant. Instead, a star size 2 screwdriver is recommended for this model.

Screw placement

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 has variations in screw placement depending on the model. The Redmi Note 4 (MTK) has screws on each side of the micro-USB port, which allows for easy access to internal components. The Redmi Note 4X does not have this pair of screws.

The Redmi Note 4 (MTK) model has a full-metal body, while the Global and Snapdragon variants have an anodized aluminum body with plastic inserts at the top and bottom for improved signal reception. The global variant also lacks the diamond-cut finish found on the MediaTek variant.

When it comes to opening the Redmi Note 4, it is important to note that there are no visible screws on the outside. To open the back cover, a slim plastic tool is required. The major part of the back cover is machined out of aluminum, while the top and bottom parts are covered in plastic to enhance signal strength.

Once the back cover is removed, you will have access to various internal components. On the right side are the volume rocker and power key, while the left side has the opening for the SIM card slot. At the bottom, you will find symmetrical speaker holes with the micro-USB port in the middle. To access the internal components, you will need to remove the USB assembly and undo all the screws holding the top cover in place.

Phone specifications

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 is a smartphone by the Chinese electronics company Xiaomi Inc. It was first developed in 2016 and launched exclusively in China, followed by an upgraded version in 2017 and a global launch. The Redmi Note 4 features a 5.5-inch display with a 1080p (1920x1080) IPS LCD panel, 2.5D curved glass, and 401ppi pixel density. The phone's body is made of anodized aluminum with plastic inserts at the top and bottom for better signal reception. The phone's dimensions are 151 x 76 x 8.3mm or 8.45mm, and it weighs 175g.

The Redmi Note 4 is powered by an Octa-core MSM8953 Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 SoC, with 2GHz Eight Cortex A53 cores and 14nm fabrication. It has an Adreno 506 GPU with Vulkan API, OpenCL 2.0, and OpenGL ES 3.1 at 650MHz. The phone comes with 2GB, 3GB, or 4GB of RAM and 32GB, 64GB, or 128GB of expandable storage. The rear camera is 13MP with an f/2.0 lens, PDAF, LED flash, and 1080p video recording capabilities, while the front camera is 5MP with an f/2.0 lens and 1080p video recording.

The phone supports LTE with VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.1, GPS, GLONASS, Micro-USB, a 3.5mm audio jack, and an IR blaster. It is equipped with a 4100mAh battery that supports fast charging at 5V/2A. A notable feature of the Redmi Note 4 is the rear fingerprint sensor, which can be used to capture images with both the front and rear cameras. The phone runs on the MIUI operating system, with the global variant initially running MIUI 8 based on Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow and upgradable to MIUI 11 based on Android 9.0.

Phone teardown

To begin the teardown of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4, power down the device and remove the hybrid SIM card tray. As the phone doesn’t have any visible screws on the outside, use a slim plastic tool to open the back cover. The back cover is made mostly of aluminium, with plastic at the top and bottom to improve signal strength.

The back cover houses cut-outs for the 3.5mm jack, IR blaster, and secondary microphone. On the right side of the phone are the volume rocker and power key, and on the left is the opening for the SIM card slot. At the bottom, there are symmetrical speaker holes with a micro USB port in the middle.

After removing the USB assembly and unscrewing all the screws, the top cover of the USB assembly can be removed, revealing the main speaker and vibrator assembly. Disconnect the ribbon cable and remove the micro USB assembly, which includes a micro USB port and primary microphone.

The 4100mAh battery is held in place by two strips of strong glue. Once the battery is removed, the fingerprint sensor can be taken out—it is glued to the motherboard with double-sided tape. Next, remove the ribbon cables connected to the motherboard to free it from the phone body. The motherboard is held in place by eight screws.

With the motherboard removed, the front-facing and rear cameras can be taken out. The front-facing camera is a Samsung S5K5E8 5MP sensor, and the rear camera is a Sony IMX258 13MP sensor.

The back side of the logic board houses the battery connector, micro USB connector, display connector, fingerprint connector, volume rocker connector, Power Supply IC PM8953, and digitizer IC connector. The front side of the logic board consists of the 3.5mm audio jack, ambient and proximity sensor, hybrid dual SIM slot, secondary microphone, Toshiba 32GB eMMC storage, Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 Processor, 3GB of RAM, and Qualcomm power IC PMI8952.

The display panel is a BOE NT35532 5.5-inch Full HD panel and houses the FT5435 FocalTech Touchscreen Controller, internal speaker, display ribbon cable, ribbon cable which connects the micro USB to the motherboard, and antenna cable.

It is worth noting that teardowns will most likely void your warranty, so proceed with caution.

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