Have you bought a Xiaomi used smartphone or want to check if the camera matches the stated specs? You may have noticed that the quality of the photo is worse than in the reviews, and you suspect a change of module. In this article, we will discuss all the working ways to find out the exact model of the camera in Redmi, POCO or Mi phones – from simple inspection to hidden engineering menus.
Manufacturers often install different cameras in even one smartphone model (for example, the Redmi Note 10 Pro could be equipped with sensors from Samsung or OmniVision). And in the secondary market, unscrupulous sellers sometimes replace the original modules with cheap counterparts.
1. Check through phone settings (the fastest way)
The easiest method is to look at the camera information in the standard MIUI settings, which is suitable for most Xiaomi models released after 2018.
Open the Settings app and follow the path: About Phone → All specs → Camera. This shows the main parameters of the main and front modules: resolution (for example, 108 MP), aperture (f/1.9), support for autofocus and stabilization. However, the sensor model (for example, Sony IMX582 or Samsung GW1) is usually not listed here.
- ✅ Pros: does not require the installation of third-party applications, works without the Internet.
- ❌ Cons: shows only basic characteristics, without detailing the manufacturer of the sensor.
- 🔍 Suitable for: preliminary verification of compliance with the declared parameters.
If you see data in this section that is very different from the official specifications of your model (for example, 12 MP is indicated instead of 48 MP), this is a reason for a deeper diagnosis.
2.Use of the engineering menu (codes ##)
Hidden engineering menus allow you to get advanced information about the hardware of the smartphone, including accurate camera models. USSD-code.
Open the Phone app and enter one of the following codes (without dialing!):
##4636##or
##6484##After you enter, you will open the Testing or Hardware Info menu. Go to the Camera section, which will show:
- 📷 Model of the main sensor (e.g, ov48b for OmniVision OV48B).
- 🔍 Front camera model (e.g., front camera model, s5k3t2 Samsung S5K3T2).
- 🔄 Camera firmware version (can help diagnose problems).
⚠️ Note: Not all Xiaomi models support these codes. On some devices, the engineering menu may be blocked by the manufacturer.
If the code doesn't work, try typing it through the EngineerMode app (available on Google Play).It emulates the engineering menu on devices where it's disabled by default.
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Take a picture of the screen with the data of the engineering menu - this will be useful when contacting the service center to prove the inconsistency of components.
3. Diagnostic applications (AIDA64, CPU-Z, DevCheck)
Third-party iron analysis tools often provide more detailed information than standard settings, and let's look at three of the most reliable applications.
AIDA64 (free version available on Google Play):
- Install and open the application.
- Go to the Devices section → Cameras.
- All installed modules will be displayed here, indicating the manufacturer (e.g. Sony, Samsung, OmniVision) and the sensor model (e.g. IMX686, GW3).
DevCheck (alternative to AIDA64 with a simpler interface)
- 📌 Open the Hardware tab.
- 📌 Scroll down to the Camera block.
- 📌 Here will be listed all the cameras of the smartphone, including auxiliary (wide-angle, macro, depth).
| Annex | Shows a sensor model. | Shows the manufacturer | Additional information |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIDA64 | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | Resolution, focal length, supported modes |
| CPU-Z | ❌ No. | ❌ No. | Only resolution and number of cameras |
| DevCheck | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | Sensor temperature, driver version |
| Camera2 API Probe | ❌ No. | ❌ No. | Support for RAW, HDR+ |
⚠️ Note: Some firmware (such as custom LineageOS or Pixel Experience) may show incorrect camera data).
Online databases by serial number (IMEI)
If you buy a smartphone with your hands, checking with IMEI will help make sure that the camera has not been replaced.Serial number is tied to the original configuration of the device.
How to check:
- Find out your phone’s IMEI: type in the phone app *#06# or look at Settings → About Phone → General information.
- Go to one of the services: 🌍 IMEI.info (Paid Extended Verification). 🔍 SNDeeP.info (Free for Xiaomi).
Enter the IMEI and get a report with original specs, including camera models.
Compare the data from the report with what the settings or diagnostic applications show. If there are discrepancies (for example, the report indicates the Sony IMX586 sensor, and AIDA64 shows the OmniVision OV48B), this means that the camera has been replaced.
What to do if IMEI is not determined?
5. Physical examination of the camera (for advanced users)
If software methods fail, you can visually identify the camera by its appearance and marking, which requires carefulness because you need to remove the back cover.
On most Xiaomi smartphones, the sensor model is listed directly on the camera board in short code format (for example, "S5KGW1" or "IMX686").
- Turn off the phone and remove it. SIM-map.
- Carefully tuck the back cover with a plastic spatula (heating with a hairdryer is not necessary, but it is possible to simplify the process).
- On the camera board, find a small sticker or engraved with the model designation.
If a discrepancy is found (e.g., OV48B is installed instead of IMX586), this may mean:
- Factory marriage (rarely).
- Replacement with an unoriginal camera.
- Fraud in the sale (substitution of the module for a cheap analogue).
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Even if the sensor model is the same as the official one, it doesn't guarantee that it's original. Counterfeit images can have the same labeling but worse quality. To fully test the camera, test it in different conditions (night, HDR, 4K video).