How to distinguish the original charging Xiaomi from fake: 7 proven ways

Buying original charging for a Xiaomi smartphone is a challenge today, with counterfeits flooding the market that not only do worse charging, but can also disable the battery or even cause a fire. According to Counterpoint Research, up to 40 percent of smartphone accessories in the CIS markets are counterfeit, and fakes are often indistinguishable from the originals: the same packaging, logos, and even serial numbers.

In this article, we’ll look at 7 key features that can tell you how to recognize Xiaomi’s original charging, from visual details to technical tests. You’ll learn what to look for when buying in offline stores and marketplaces, how to check the power of a charger without special equipment, and why even “certified” sellers sometimes sell fakes.

1.Packaging: 5 parts that give off a fake

Xiaomi's original chargers come in branded boxes with clear design standards. Counterfeiting is often a saving on packaging, which is the first bell.

• 📦 Print quality: on the original box, text and logos Mi/Xiaomi Fakes are often pale colors or shifted design elements.
• 🔍 Barcode and serial number: at the bottom of the box should be unique SN-code (20 characters) and barcode, which can be checked through the official Xiaomi website (more on this below).
• 📏 Cardboard density: the original packaging is rigid, glossy, and counterfeits often use thin cardboard that bends with a light press.
• 🖼️ Photo of the device: on the front of the original box is a real charging photo, not a real charge photo 3D-Fakes often have a picture of "drawn».
• 🌍 Languages on packaging: the original always has inscriptions in Chinese, English and the language of the country of sale (for example, Russian.

Special attention is paid to the hologram on some models (for example, charges Xiaomi HyperCharge 120W). the original hologram changes color when you change the angle of view and contains microtext that can not be seen with the naked eye, fakes mimic it with a sticker that peels off when scratched with the nail.

⚠️ Warning: On marketplaces like AliExpress or Wildberries, vendors often take pictures of the original packaging and send a fake. Always require a photo of a particular instance with a serial number before buying.

2. Appearance of the charger: what to check first

Even if the package looks perfect, the charger itself can produce a fake.

• ⚖️ Weight: Xiaomi's original chargers weigh between 30 and 80 grams (depending on power) and counterfeits are often 20 to 30 percent lighter due to cheap components inside.
• 🔌 Connector. USB: The original contacts inside the port USB-C Or Type-A is shiny, no serrated. Counterfeits have dull metal and uneven edges.
• 📏 Clearances and seams: The original charging case is assembled tightly, without cracks. Counterfeiting often has uneven joints of plastic.
• 🎨 Color and texture: original plastic matte, no bubbles. Counterfeiting can be glossy or have a heterogeneous hue.

Notice the labels on the case. In the original charge, they're laser-printed or high-quality, they don't wear off when rubbed with an alcohol napkin. Fakes often have labels that blur from moisture or scratch their nails. For example, on the original Xiaomi 33W charger, the "MDY-12-EP" is engraved clearly, and on the fake it can be painted.

3. Technical characteristics: how not to run into a "dummy"

Counterfeiting often understates the actual charging power, such as the case that says "33W," and the device actually only produces 10 to 15 watts.

1. Using an app (e.g. AccuBattery or Ampere): connect charging to your smartphone and run the test. The original Xiaomi 33W charging should show a current of at least 2.5-3.0 A at 11 V.
2. Multimeter: If you have access to the appliance, measure the voltage at the output. The original Xiaomi 20W charging should output exactly 5V/9V/12V depending on the fast charging protocol.

Another key point is fast charging protocols, and Xiaomi’s original charging features support proprietary technology:

• Quick Charge 3.0/4+ (for models up to 2020)
• Mi TurboCharge (for flagships Xiaomi 11/12/13 series),
• HyperCharge (120W for Xiaomi 11T Pro and newer)

Fakes either do not support these protocols or mimic them, causing the battery to overheat.

⚠️ Note: If your Xiaomi smartphone shows a notification “Non-original charger is used” when connecting a fake, this does not always mean that charging is dangerous. However, long-term use of such devices reduces battery life by 30-40% due to unstable voltage.

4.Cable included: why checking it is equally important

Many Xiaomi chargers are sold with cable, and counterfeits are often equipped with cheap cables that can't withstand the declared power.

• 🔗 Wire thickness: the original Xiaomi cable has a diameter of at least 3 mm (for the first time). 33W And it's 4 mm higher. Counterfeiting is thinner and overheats faster.
• 🔌 Connectors: The original cable USB-C The connector has a metal body with the Mi logo. Counterfeits are often plastic, with uneven edges.
• 🧲 Magnetic ring: the original Xiaomi cables have a ferrite filter near the connectors.

You can check the cable with a bending test: the original one can withstand at least 10,000 bends (by Xiaomi standard), the fake breaks after 100-200 bends. Also pay attention to the color of the bend: the original Xiaomi cables have a uniform shade, and the fakes have spots or scuffs already in the new package.

5.Where to buy: official and verified sources

Even if you know all the signs of the original, you can run into a fake if you buy from an unreliable place.

• 🏬 Official Mi Store: 100% original, but prices are 15-20 above the market%.
• 🌍 Mi.com: There are often discounts, especially during Black Friday or 11.11 sales.

Avoid hand-held purchases (Avito, OLX) or small electronics stalls, where the probability of counterfeiting is up to 70%.

1. Photo of a real product (not stock image).
2. A receipt or warranty card.
3. Reviews with photos of the package and serial number.

💡

Before buying on AliExpress, check the date of the store registration: sellers selling counterfeits rarely work longer than 1-2 years. Official Xiaomi partners usually have an account older than 3 years.

6.Practical Test: How to Make Sure of Originality After Buying

Let's say you bought a charger and it looks like the original. How do you make sure it's authentic?

1. Heat test: connect the charger to the smartphone and leave for 30 minutes. the original heats up to 40-45 ° C, fake - to 60 ° C and above (can be checked with an infrared thermometer or by touch).
2. Charging speed test: with the help of the AccuBattery app, measure the charging time from 20% to 80%. the original charging Xiaomi 33W copes in 30-40 minutes, fake - in 1.5-2 hours.
3. Test with another device: connect the charger to a laptop or powerbank, the original will be identified as "Xiaomi", the fake as "Unknown device" or not recognized at all.

If you have access to USB-tester (e.g. tester, USB Meter, measure real power. For example, the original charging Xiaomi 67W When you connect to the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ should show:

• 5V/3A (15W) in the initial stage,
• 20V/3.25A (65W) for fast charging.

A fake cannot give such values stable.

💡

If charging has passed all the tests, but the smartphone still charges slowly, the problem may be in the cable or port of the device. Try replacing the cable with the original Xiaomi or clean the USB-C connector with compressed air.

7 What to do if you have already bought a fake

If you find that your charging is fake, don't rush to throw it away.

• 🔄 Return to the seller: if the purchase was on the marketplace, make a refund because of “non-compliance with the description.
• ♻️ Dispose of: counterfeits often fail to meet safety standards.
• ⚡ Used for non-critical devices: if the fake does not warm up and gives a stable voltage, it can be used to charge powerbank or cheap gadgets.

If you continue to use a fake for Xiaomi smartphone, watch out for:

• The temperature of the body (do not allow heating above 50 ° C).
• Recharge level (do not leave on charging overnight).
• Battery status (check in Settings → Battery status).

⚠️ Note: Fake Xiaomi chargers often lack short circuit protection. According to Rospotrebnadzor, in 2023, 12% of electronics fires in Russia were caused by low-quality charging.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi charging