Design and Build Quality

The Xiaomi Mi4c and Mi4i are identical, so if you’ve seen the latter, you’ve seen the new “c” model. The phone features a polycarbonate build, but unlike Xiaomi’s Redmi-series devices, the back is not removable – it’s a unibody design.

This means it feels a bit better than a Redmi, and the finish also feels more expensive. It’s soft to the touch and the quality is impeccable. Our sample was white as llello, and the finish had a satin vibe to it. While it’s great at keeping fingerprints off the device, it’s also a bit slippery.

The power button and volume rocker are located on the right. Don’t let looks deceive you, despite the chrome finish, the buttons are plastic as well.

The double SIM slot is located on the left side.

Although we’ve seen metal phones at this price point, the Mi4c doesn’t feel cheap, not even close. The design is pure minimalism. There’s really not much we can say about it, everything is laid out logically and looks good.

Lastly, the reversible USB Type-C connector means you won’t scratch it while trying to plug in your charger after a night out on the town. Actually, the new Type-C connector is the only way to distinguish the Mi4c from the Mi4i.

One upside to using the sharp-edged design is that the footprint of the Mi4c is rather small: 138.1mm x 69.6mm x 7.8mm. Granted, it’s not the thinnest phone around, but it also happens to be one of the shortest 5-inchers out there (most are 140-145mm tall). In fact, it’s as tall as the iPhone 6, which features a 4.7-inch display, and it’s just 2mm wider than Apple’s bestseller.

The IR and 3.5mm audio port are located at the top.

Due to the plastic build, the Mi4c weighs 132g, despite the integrated 3080mAh battery. Xiaomi uses a magnesium alloy frame, which helps keep weight down, while guaranteeing rigidity. The build quality and finish are top notch, and at this point we expect nothing less from Xiaomi.

In an era of oversized phones, the compact Mi4c is a breath of fresh air. The relatively small bezels also help make the phone look and feel better (although Xiaomi marketing is overselling them as ultra-narrow bezels).

There is not much to complain about. Sure, it could have been slightly thinner, but it packs a powerful battery, and to us this is a good trade-off. Xiaomi could have gone for metal on volume rocker and power buttons, just to give it a slightly better tactile feel, but we are really nit-picking at this point.