How to Check Out the Original Xiaomi: The Complete Guide

The electronics market is crowded with devices, and finding a quality smartphone is becoming increasingly difficult. Shoppers often encounter copies that look almost indistinguishable from the original. Xiaomi's originality check becomes a critical step before buying, especially if the deal is in the secondary market or in questionable points.

Xiaomi is a leading sales force, making it a tidbit for scammers. Counterfeiting may look convincing, but inside it often has weak hardware and unstable software. We'll look at detailed methods to help you avoid buying a substandard product.

In this article, we will collect all the current methods of verification, from a simple inspection of the package to a deep analysis of system files, following these recommendations will save you money and nerves.

Visual analysis of packaging and configuration

The first thing that gets into the hands of the buyer is the box. Xiaomi's original packaging is always made of dense cardboard of high quality, without backlash of the lid and skews. The colors on the printing should be bright, and the fonts should be clear, without blurring even on close inspection.

Note the stickers with technical information, which must include IMEI, device model, production date and barcode. It is important that the data on the sticker matches the information that is stamped on the smartphone body itself (if there is one) or displayed in the system. Often on fake stickers are crooked or contain spelling errors in the English text.

⚠️ Note: If there is no holographic sticker with a logo on the box MI or QR-The code for verification is a sure sign of counterfeiting.

The kit also plays a role. The original kit always has a cable, a paper clip for it. SIM-The cable must be stitched with a logo. MI Or Xiaomi and have a mark on the plug, and the quality of the plastic accessories should not be criticized: the absence of the smell of cheap rubber and burrs at the joints.

Checking by IMEI-code on the official website

The most reliable way to check your Xiaomi phone for originality is to use a unique identifier. IMEI. This code is assigned to every mobile device in production and is recorded in global databases, and you can find it on the back, in the tray. SIM-card or enter the command *#06# on the keyboard.

Once you have a fifteen-digit number, you have to go to the official verification portal, enter the code in the appropriate field, the system will instantly give you the device model, color, memory capacity and warranty status, if the site writes "Not found" or shows a model other than the one you have in your hand, you have a fake.

And you have to pay special attention to the matching of all the numbers, and in some cases, fraudsters clone the IMEI from the original device to a batch of copies, so if you're buying a new phone in a store, and you check that it's already activated a few months ago or has a "Replaced" status, it's worth thinking about.

Analysis of MIUI software and interface

Chinese engineers have created a unique MIUI shell (or HyperOS in new models) that is extremely difficult to replicate. Fake devices often run on stripped-down versions of Android with a strained interface. Carefully examine the settings menu: in the original, all points work, transitions between screens smooth, without jerks.

Try opening the About Phone menu and clicking on the MIUI version several times. The hidden logo mode should start. Fakes often either don't happen or the standard Android menu opens. It's also worth checking for Xiaomi system applications like Security, Mi Cloud, Themes. Their absence or incorrect operation (departures, errors) indicate a modified firmware.

Another marker is updates. The original smartphone will prompt you to upgrade to the current version. Counterfeiters usually can't get Xiaomi update servers or give an error when trying to boot. Check through Settings → About Phone → The MIUI version should show the current build date.

Using the Engineering Menu for Diagnostics

For a deeper check, you can use the engineering menu, which is a hidden part of the system, accessible through special devices. USSD-Enter ##6484## or #4636## in the phone app. The test menu should appear on the screen (CIT).

You can check each module, the screen (for broken pixels), the touch screen (multi-touch), the speakers, the microphone, vibration, the lighting and proximity sensors. If the screen lights up in green or blue when you start the test, but the sensor does not respond to touch, this is a clear sign of a poor copy.

The engineering menu also shows real-world CPU and RAM specs. Often, counterfeit sellers inflate the numbers in the normal settings menu, showing 8GB of RAM instead of the real 2GB. CIT-The menu displays truthful data read directly from the chips.

Checking through the Mi Verification app

The company has a special application Mi Verification (or “Services and Feedback” in new versions), which automatically scans the device and checks its digital signature with the manufacturer’s server, and can be launched through the “Services” menu or by searching the application list.

It takes only a few minutes to process, and it checks the integrity of the system files, the presence of root rights (which should not be on the new device), and the compliance of the hardware, and if the phone passes the check, you will see a green tick and a message that the device is original.

Important: on some global firmware versions, this application may be called differently or integrated into general security settings. If you can't find it, try downloading the official version from GetApps (Xiaomi app store), but make sure you download the original version. APK-file, not a swap.

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Expert advice: Don't trust any third-party downloaded Antivirus or Memory Cleanup applications. Use only the built-in MIUI tools to verify system integrity.

Comparison of technical characteristics

Fakes often present themselves as a non-conformity of the claimed characteristics to the real. Vendors can write "Snapdragon 8 Gen 2", and inside there is a cheap MediaTek from a decade ago. Use utilities like CPU-Z, AIDA64 or Device Info HW to verify accurately.

These programs will show the real screen resolution (it is often interpolated on fakes), the type of matrix, the exact model of the processor and the number of cores. Pay attention to the core frequency and architecture. Also check the camera resolution: software can "draw" 108 MP, but the physical sensor will have 5 MP, which will immediately become visible in detailed shooting.

Compare the data with the official specifications on the website mi.com. The difference in weight of the device can also be indicative: the originals use high-quality materials, copies – cheap plastic, which changes the weight of the gadget.

⚠️ Note: If the app shows that you have 12 CPU cores, and the model specifications have 8 of them, you have a software emulation characteristic of counterfeits.

Where to buy to avoid counterfeiting

The best way to avoid wondering how to distinguish the original is to buy from trusted locations. Xiaomi's official stores (Mi Store), major electronics retailers and authorized partners guarantee authenticity. The risk of running into fake is minimal here.

Buying on marketplaces (Ozon, Wildberries, AliExpress) requires more care. Look at the seller's rating, the number of reviews and the availability of certificates. Avoid offers with a price significantly below the market price - the original Xiaomi can not cost 5 thousand rubles if the average price is 20 thousand.

When buying from hand (Avito, Yula), always demand a check, a box, and a full check when you meet. Don't settle for a "home check" or prepayment. Meet in crowded places, preferably near the operator's office or service center, where you can quickly break the IMEI.

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Buying from an official store is the only 100% guarantee against counterfeiting, but even there, it is worth checking the integrity of the package and the matching IMEI before paying.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)