Case

The Mi 4s is available in Black, White, and Gold color options. Our Gold test unit gives off a luxurious luster with at least three different types of surfaces making up the chassis. The glass-covered front is completely flat with almost no rise around the edges and corners. The rounded aluminum sides of the phone are a slippery matte finish with striped chrome-cut edges and corners for glossy accents. Meanwhile, the back of the phone utilizes another smooth layer of glass similar to the recent Galaxy S6 series, but with a cross-diamond pattern underneath to avoid what would have otherwise been a plain plastic look. Even the camera and LED Flash modules are recessed onto the same plane as the glass for a completely flat surface. It's clear that Xiaomi had invested much more in the aesthetics of the design compared to its older generation of plastic smartphones.

Workmanship is nearly perfect around the edges and corners where the different materials meet. Unfortunately on our test unit, we are able to notice a small and depressible gap between the back cover and edge of the smartphone. While this may be more common on smartphones with removable back covers, designs with non-removable battery packs like the Mi 4s are expected to have a much more solid seal around its edges. The potential for gaps is a drawback from not using a unibody design.

Overall rigidity is above average with no creaking or cracks when attempting to twist from the sides or when applying pressure down its center. A bit of bending and warping is possible with a moderate amount of force, but nothing extensive enough to be a cause for concern.