An in-depth look at the Redmi Turbo 4 Pro, examining its impressive specs and potential heating issues. This comprehensive review covers design, performance, camera capabilities, and more.
Table of Contents
Introducing the Redmi Turbo 4 Pro
The smartphone market is constantly evolving, with manufacturers pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in a handheld device. Xiaomi’s sub-brand Redmi has been at the forefront of this innovation, consistently delivering high-performance devices at competitive price points. Their latest offering, the Redmi Turbo 4 Pro, continues this trend with some impressive specifications. However, as we’ll explore in this comprehensive review, not everything is perfect with this new release.
Design and Build Quality
At first glance, the Redmi Turbo 4 Pro bears a striking resemblance to its predecessor, the Redmi Turbo 4. However, upon closer inspection, several key differences become apparent:
- Metal Frame: Unlike the Turbo 4, the Pro model features a metal frame, giving it a more premium feel.
- Dimensions: The device is slightly larger and heavier than its predecessor.
- Back Panel: Redmi has retained the frosted glass back, which is highly resistant to fingerprints. This is particularly noticeable on the white version reviewed.
- Color Options: The phone is available in white, green, and black. There’s even a special Harry Potter edition for fans of the wizarding world.
- Camera Array: The camera setup remains largely unchanged, but the metal surrounding it is slightly wider.
- LED Rings: The Pro model features LED circles around the cameras, adding a unique visual element. However, it’s worth noting that these may not be present in the global version (expected to launch as the Poco F7).
- IP Rating: The device maintains an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.
Display
One of the most significant upgrades on the Redmi Turbo 4 Pro is its display:
- Size: A larger 6.83-inch AMOLED panel
- Resolution: 1.5K resolution for crisp visuals
- Refresh Rate: 120 Hz for smooth scrolling and animations
- Brightness: Peak brightness of 3200 nits for HDR content, with 1800 nits in auto mode for excellent outdoor visibility
- PWM Dimming: 3840 Hz high-frequency PWM dimming for reduced eye strain in low-light conditions
The increased screen size contributes to the device’s larger dimensions and weight, but it provides an immersive viewing experience for multimedia consumption and gaming.
Battery and Charging
Another area where the Redmi Turbo 4 Pro shines is its battery capacity and charging capabilities:
- Capacity: An impressive 7550 mAh battery, one of the largest seen in a smartphone
- Charging Speed: 90W fast charging, capable of fully charging the device in just 50 minutes
- Reverse Charging: 22.5W reverse charging, allowing the phone to function as a power bank for other devices
The increased battery capacity is made possible by advancements in silicon carbon technology. This trend towards larger batteries is a welcome one, as it addresses one of the most common pain points for smartphone users – battery life.
Performance
At the heart of the Redmi Turbo 4 Pro lies its most significant upgrade – the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset. This new SoC from Qualcomm brings several improvements:
- CPU Performance: On par with the previous year’s flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
- GPU Performance: The new Adreno 825 GPU closes the gap with last year’s flagship graphics performance
- Process Node: Built on a 4nm process, unlike the flagship 8 Elite’s 3nm process
While the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 doesn’t share the same custom cores as the current flagship 8 Elite, it still delivers impressive performance. The CPU configuration has been optimized, swapping out the A520 cores found in the 8 Gen 3 for more A720 cores. This allows it to maintain similar CPU performance despite lower clock speeds.
Benchmarks and Real-World Performance
Benchmark results show that the Redmi Turbo 4 Pro is capable of delivering flagship-level performance in many scenarios. However, there is a significant caveat that potential buyers should be aware of – thermal management.
During stress tests, the device exhibited concerning behavior:
- After approximately 15 minutes of sustained load, the phone overheated
- The test application was forcibly closed
- Temperatures reached a concerning 48°C
The metal frame, while premium in feel, exacerbates this issue by efficiently conducting heat to the user’s hands. This is particularly problematic in the areas where users typically rest their fingers during gaming sessions.
It’s important to note that outside of synthetic benchmarks, real-world gaming performance remains strong. Games run smoothly and take advantage of the device’s powerful hardware. However, the thermal issues may lead to discomfort during extended gaming sessions, potentially necessitating the use of external cooling accessories for serious mobile gamers.
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Camera System
The camera setup on the Redmi Turbo 4 Pro remains largely unchanged from its predecessor:
Primary Camera
- Sensor: Light 600
- Performance: Good in well-lit conditions
- Detail: Satisfactory
- Dynamic Range: Reasonable
- Color Accuracy: Occasionally off, but generally acceptable
- Low-light Performance: Usable, but not class-leading
Ultra-wide Camera
- Resolution: 8 megapixels
- Focus: Fixed
- Performance: Below average
- Detail: Lacking
- Color Matching: Poor consistency with the primary camera
Video Capabilities
- Primary Camera: 4K 60fps recording
- EIS (Electronic Image Stabilization): Jitter issues present, though slightly reduced from the Turbo 4
- Selfie Camera: 1080p recording with improved EIS performance
Overall, the camera system on the Redmi Turbo 4 Pro can be described as serviceable. It’s capable of producing decent results in favorable conditions, but it’s not a standout feature of the device. Users who prioritize camera performance may want to consider other options in this price range.
Software and User Experience
The Redmi Turbo 4 Pro runs on MIUI, Xiaomi’s custom Android skin. While not explicitly mentioned in the provided information, we can infer several points about the software experience:
- MIUI typically offers a feature-rich environment with extensive customization options
- The 120 Hz display should result in smooth animations and responsive UI interactions
- Xiaomi’s software optimization may help mitigate some of the thermal issues in day-to-day use
However, the persistence of camera-related issues (such as EIS jitter) from the previous model suggests that software updates may not fully address all of the device’s shortcomings.
Pricing and Market Positioning
In the Chinese market, the Redmi Turbo 4 Pro is positioned as a value-oriented flagship killer:
- Starting price: 2199 RMB
- This represents a 10% increase over the Redmi Turbo 4’s launch price
For global markets, where the device is expected to launch as the Poco F7, we can estimate pricing by adding approximately 10% to the Poco X7 Pro’s launch price in each region.
At this price point, the Redmi Turbo 4 Pro offers an impressive spec sheet:
- Premium build with a metal frame
- Improved SoC performance
- Larger, high-quality display
- Substantially increased battery capacity
However, the device’s value proposition is somewhat undermined by its thermal management issues and the lack of significant camera improvements.
Conclusion: Impressive Specs, Notable Concerns
The Redmi Turbo 4 Pro represents an interesting addition to the upper mid-range smartphone market. It brings several noteworthy improvements over its predecessor:
- A more premium build quality with a metal frame
- A larger, brighter, and higher-resolution display
- Significantly improved battery capacity
- The new Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset, offering near-flagship performance
These upgrades, combined with competitive pricing, make the Redmi Turbo 4 Pro an attractive option on paper. However, several factors prevent it from being an unequivocal recommendation:
- Thermal Management: The device’s tendency to overheat under sustained load is a significant concern, particularly for power users and mobile gamers.
- Camera Performance: While serviceable, the camera system fails to stand out in an increasingly competitive market segment.
- Software Optimization: The persistence of issues like EIS jitter from the previous model raises questions about Redmi’s ability to fully address problems through software updates.
For users who prioritize raw performance, battery life, and display quality, the Redmi Turbo 4 Pro offers compelling value. Its large battery and reverse charging capabilities make it an excellent choice for those who are frequently on the go and need a device that can last all day and then some.
However, mobile photography enthusiasts and hardcore gamers may want to look elsewhere. The former will find better camera systems in competing devices, while the latter may be put off by the thermal issues that could impact long-term performance and comfort during extended gaming sessions.
Ultimately, the Redmi Turbo 4 Pro is a device of contrasts. It showcases impressive technological advancements in areas like battery capacity and display technology, but it also highlights the ongoing challenges manufacturers face in thermal management as mobile processors become increasingly powerful.
As the device makes its way to global markets (likely as the Poco F7), it will be interesting to see if Redmi can address some of these concerns through software optimizations. The potential is certainly there for the Redmi Turbo 4 Pro to be a standout device in its price range, but as it stands, it’s a qualified recommendation rather than an outright winner.
Prospective buyers should carefully consider their priorities and usage patterns when evaluating the Redmi Turbo 4 Pro. For many, its strengths will outweigh its weaknesses, but it’s crucial to be aware of its limitations before making a purchase decision.
As the smartphone market continues to evolve, devices like the Redmi Turbo 4 Pro serve as interesting case studies in the balance between pushing performance boundaries and maintaining practical usability. It’s a balance that Redmi hasn’t quite perfected with this release, but it’s certainly a step in an intriguing direction for the brand and the industry as a whole.
Image Credit: MI