Have you bought a new Xiaomi charger for a promotion, but doubt its authenticity? Or noticed that the smartphone has become warm when charging, even though it had not been before? Fake chargers from Xiaomi have flooded the market — according to a study from 2023, up to 40% of the brand’s accessories at sites like AliExpress and markets are counterfeit, and fakes outwardly copy the original so accurately that even experienced users can be fooled.
The problem is not only overpaying for poor-quality goods, fake charges are dangerous for technology and health: they can disable the battery of a smartphone, cause a fire or electric shock. This article presents unique testing methods that you won’t find in standard instructions, including multimeter tests, analysis, and other tests. QR-We're going to take a look at even the nuances that vendors and YouTube experts are missing.
1.External inspection: 5 details that give off a fake at first sight
Start with a visual check, which will take less than a minute, but will weed out 80% of fakes. Xiaomi’s original charging systems undergo strict quality control, so even small flaws in the package or case should be alerted.
Take the charger and carefully examine:
- 📦 Packaging: The original is always in a thick, white box with a matte coating, no burrs and curved seams. The inscriptions are clear, without blurred letters. Counterfeits are often packed in glossy cardboard or box with uneven edges.
- 🔍 Mi logo: The original logo is convex, with clear edges. For fakes, it can be pressed, blurred or painted (rather than embossed).
- 🔌 Connector. USB: In Xiaomi's original charging, the USB-Type C or Micro-USB connector (in older models) has perfectly flat edges without serrated.
- 📏 Weight and dimensions: Original charging Mi 18W weight ~38g, Mi 33W — ~45g Fakes are 10 to 20 percent lighter because of cheap components. Compare the scales in the table below.
- 🖼️ Inscriptions on the case: The original text is engraved with a laser, not erased by a nail. For fakes, the inscriptions are often painted and easily scratched.
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If the charger says "Made in China" but no manufacturer's address (e.g. "Beijing Xiaomi Technology Co., Ltd.") is 100% fake. Originals always contain full information.
| Charging model | Original weight (g) | Dimensions (D×SH×V, mm) | Typical weight of forgery (g) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi 5W (MDY-05-EM) | 28 ± 1 | 30×30×25 | 20–24 |
| Mi 18W (MDY-08-EM) | 38 ± 1 | 35×35×28 | 28–32 |
| Mi 33W (MDY-12-EU) | 45 ± 1 | 40×40×30 | 35–40 |
| Mi 65W (AD65) | 60 ± 2 | 50×50×30 | 45–55 |
Verification QR-Code and serial number: how to calculate fake on the basis of Xiaomi
Each original Xiaomi charging has a unique serial number and QR-code that can be authenticated through the official brand services, and this method works for models that Released will use after 2019.
Instructions for verification:
- Find a charger on the case of the charger sticker with QR-code and serial number (usually format) 200XXXXXXXX or 300XXXXXXXX).
- Scan it. QR-code through the Mi Home app or any scanner (e.g. Google Lens) the original will redirect to the mi.com page with the device data.
- Check the serial number on order.mi.com/service/verify, and if the system is faulty or the data is not matching, it's a fake.
What to do if QR-code not scanned?
⚠️ Warning: Fraudsters have learned to fake QR-codes that lead to fake pages that mimic the Xiaomi site. URL In the address bar, it should start with https://mi.com or https://order.mi.com.
An additional test: the original sticker has the serial number lasered and is not erased with alcohol, and for counterfeits, it is often printed on ordinary paper and washed off when friction occurs.
3. Multimeter Test: How to Measure Real Charging Power
Fake charging often understates the actual power "18W", And in fact, the device gives you everything. 10W. Not only does this slow down charging, it can also damage the smartphone battery. ₽) or USB-tester (from 500) ₽).
Step-by-step:
- 🔋 Connect the charging to the outlet, and the multimeter (in voltage measurement mode) to USB-Original charging Xiaomi 18W should show 5.0V–5.2V loadless.
- 📱 Put your smartphone on and measure the voltage under load. It should drop before it's loaded. 4.8V–5.0V. If the voltage is lower 4.5V — charging faulty or fake.
- 🔄 Check the current strength: for 18W-Charging when connecting a smartphone it should be within 1.5A–2.0A. Counterfeiting rarely gives out more 1.0A.
Multimeter (or USB-tester)
Charging cable (preferably original)
Smartphone to create a load
Notepad for deposition recordings-->
| Charging model | Unloaded voltage (V) | Voltage under load (V) | Current strength (A) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi 5W | 5.0–5.2 | 4.8–5.0 | 0.8–1.0 |
| Mi 18W | 5.0–5.2 | 4.8–5.0 | 1.5–2.0 |
| Mi 33W | 5.0–11.0 (automation) | 4.8–10.5 | 2.0–3.0 |
⚠️ Note: If the charging when connected to the socket emits a high-frequency squeak or is very hot (more than 50)°C) in 10 minutes, turn it off immediately, a sign of poor quality capacitors that could explode.
4. Disassembly of charging: what the fakes hide inside
If you're willing to take drastic measures, disassembling the charger will give you 100% of the answer to its authenticity. Xiaomi's original chargers have a clear layout of boards, high-quality soldering and branded components. The fakes inside have chaos of cheap parts.
What to look for when disassembling:
- 🔧 Fee: The original board is green with white inscriptions, all elements sealed neatly. Counterfeit cards often use brown or black boards with curved tracks.
- 🔋 Capacitors: Originally, they have capacitors from Samsung, Panasonic or Nichicon. Fakes have nameless Chinese with bloated housings.
- 🔥 In the original charges Xiaomi always has a ceramic fuse. in counterfeits it is often replaced by a cheap bar of wire.
- 📶 Chip Marking: The original board must have a controller chip (e.g., a chip, CY7C65632 or IP2721). Fakes have chips either missing or painted in black paint.
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If you're not sure about your soldering skills, don't sort out the charging yourself -- go to a service center. Incorrect assembly can lead to short circuits.
Example of the original Mi 18W (MDY-08-EM) charging system:
Fee: green, with white silk-screen marking
Capacitors: 2 × Samsung (1000µF, 10V)
Fuse: ceramic, 250V/3A
Controller chip: CY7C65632 (Infineon)5. Checking through a smartphone: what data gives the original charging
Modern Xiaomi smartphones (starting with the Redmi Note 8 and Mi 9) can identify the type of charger and display its characteristics.
How to check:
- Connect the charger to the smartphone.
- Open the application Safety → Battery → Charging status.
- Look at Charging Type and Power. The original Mi 18W should be 18W, not 10W or Fast Charging.
On smartphones with MIUI 12+, you can use a hidden menu of engineering settings:
#4636## → "Battery information"In this menu, the original charging will appear as Xiaomi Charger with the exact power, and the fake will be listed as Unknown or understated.
Yes, but I didn't know about it: Yes, consciously (cheap): No, I always take the original: I'm not sure, I need to check:-->
6.Where and how to buy original Xiaomi charging: proven ways
Even if you know all the signs of fakes, the risk of getting faked remains high, especially on marketplaces like AliExpress, Wildberries or Ozon, where sellers are massively forging reviews.
Where to buy safely:
- 🏬 Official Mi Store Store: 100% Original but higher than the market price 20–30%. Shop addresses: mi.com/ru/retail.
- 🛒 Authorized resellers: Svyaznoy, M.Video, Eldorado (check the availability of Xiaomi certificate from the seller).
- 🌍 Official website of Xiaomi Global: mi.com/global. Delivery is longer, but the guarantee of originality.
What to avoid:
- ❌ Marketplaces with custom sellers (Avito, Yula, AliExpress) even if the price coincides with the official price.
- ❌ Stores with suspiciously low prices (e.g. Mi) 33W 500 ₽ 1200 ₽).
- ❌ Sellers who do not provide a check or warranty card.
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The only way to guarantee the original is to check the serial number through the official Xiaomi website before payment. QR-code and check the data.
7.The dangers of fake charging: real cases and consequences
Fake Xiaomi charging doesn’t just slow your smartphone to charge, it can cause serious damage to your health and equipment.
- 🔥 Fire in the apartment: in 2022 in Moscow fake charging Mi 18W The fire was caused by a short circuit, and the damage was more than 500,000. ₽.
- ⚡ In Krasnodar, the user received a burn of his hand from fake charging Mi 65W, lacking insulation.
- 📵 Smartphone failure: Fake charging Mi 33W tension 12V instead 5V, The power controller in the Redmi Note 10 Pro was burned, and it cost 8,000 to repair. ₽.
Technical risks:
- 🔋 Battery degradation: Unstable voltage shortens battery life by 30-50%.
- 📉 Performance drop: Smartphone may start to brake due to constant micro-reboots of the power controller.
- 🔌 Damage to the port USB: Cheap counterfeit connectors often oxidize and disable the phone connector.
⚠️ Warning: If after using a fake charge, the smartphone stopped turning on or shows a message "Charger is not supported", immediately disconnect it from the network.