Many Xiaomi smartphone users are faced with the need to know the exact model of the installed processor, this may be necessary when comparing performance, finding compatible firmware or simply out of curiosity about the technical characteristics of the gadget. In Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi devices, information about the chipset is sometimes hidden in the standard menu or displayed by a marketing name, which makes it difficult to identify the real hardware.
There are several proven methods of obtaining this information, from built-in system tools to specialized software. We will look at both software methods that do not require installing applications, and using third-party utilities to obtain detailed data. Understanding the architecture of the SoC (System on Chip) will help you better understand the capabilities of your device.
Below are detailed instructions to help you quickly access technical data. Regardless of the version of the MIUI shell or HyperOS, the described methods remain relevant for most models of the brand.
Checking through the system menu settings
The easiest and most affordable way to download no additional software is to use the built-in shell interface, but it is worth considering that the standard menu often displays only the general name of the platform, for example, Snapdragon or Helio, without specifying the exact model and clock frequency.
For basic information, go to Settings → About Phone. In some firmware versions, detailed information is hidden inside All Specifications or is available after a few quick clicks on the MIUI version. Here you will see the name of the processor, but the depth of the data will be limited.
⚠️ Note: In the Redmi budget models, the menu information can be reduced to the generic name of the chipset series, which is not enough to accurately identify the chipset.
If you want to know the number of cores or the exact architecture, the system menu will not be enough, in which case you will switch to specialized applications that can read data directly from the registers of the system.
Using AIDA64 for detailed diagnostics
One of the most popular tools for hardware analysis is the AIDA64 app.This utility provides comprehensive information about all components of a smartphone, including a detailed description of the CPU. The program is free and available from the Google Play store.
Once you install and run the application, you need to go to the CPU section, which shows not only the CPU model, but also the current clock speed of each core in real time, allowing you to evaluate the system's performance under load, and you will also see information about the supported instructions and manufacturing process.
Why is the actual frequency different from the stated frequency?
The advantage of AIDA64 is that it's easy to structure data, and you can see the separation of performance and energy efficiency clusters, which is particularly important for today's eight-core chipsets, and it helps you understand how the device distributes tasks between the cores.
Analysis of characteristics through the utility CPU-Z
Another tool in the world of mobile diagnostics is the CPU-Z program. It is known for its accuracy and minimalist interface, which displays only the most important technical parameters without unnecessary visual load.
When you run the utility, the Device main tab displays the SoC name, the number of cores and the maximum frequency. Going to the System tab, you can find out the amount of RAM and screen resolution. For gamers, the Thermal tab, which shows the current temperature of the sensors, is important.
- 📱 SoC Name: The exact code name of the processor (e.g, sdm660 or mt6785).
- ⚡ Core Speed: Current core frequency in megahertz.
- 🌡️ Temperature: Real-time data from thermosensors.
Using CPU-Z is especially useful when you need to quickly check the characteristics of the device with the official data of the manufacturer. the application works steadily on all versions of Android, from old versions to the latest releases.
Comparison of performance of popular Xiaomi platforms
Understanding which processor is installed in your device allows you to objectively assess its potential. Different series of chips from Qualcomm and MediaTek have their own characteristics in architecture and power consumption. Below is a table to compare the popular platforms found in smartphones of the brand.
| Processor model | Technique | Number of kernels | Typical segment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | 4nm | 8 cores | Flagship |
| Dimensity 8300 | 4nm | 8 cores | Middle class |
| Helio G99 | 6 nm | 8 cores | Budgetary |
| Snapdragon 695 | 6 nm | 8 cores | Middle class |
As you can see from the table, even the same processors can vary significantly in performance. For example, Dimensity chips often offer better energy efficiency in the mid-range, while Snapdragon is traditionally strong in graphics.
Identification of the chipset through the engineering menu
For advanced users, there is access to a hidden engineering menu that contains technical information about the modem and the processor, which does not require installing applications, but requires entering special codes through the Phone application.
Type ##4636## into the dialer. If the code works, the test menu will open. Go to the Information section, where you can find the software version of the radio module and sometimes the platform. However, on newer versions of MIUI, access to this menu is often blocked by the manufacturer.
⚠️ Note: Do not change the settings in the engineering menu without understanding their purpose, this can lead to unstable network or system operation.
If the code does not activate the menu, then the manufacturer has restricted access at the firmware level, in which case the only reliable option is to use third-party applications described above.
Search for information on the model of the device on the Internet
If you can’t install an app or enter code, the classic method is to search by device model. The exact name of the model can be found in the Settings → About phone menu, usually it looks like a set of letters and numbers (for example, 2201116SG).
If you type that code into a search engine along with the word "specs" or "features," you'll be taken to technical database pages, and it will specify the exact processor, which is especially true for global versions, which may be different from Chinese versions.
☑️ Processor check
Use reputable resources like GSMArena or Kimovil to avoid mistakes. Marketing titles in stores can be confusing, whereas the model's technical code is always accurate.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can a system update change the processor you display?
Why is the processor called differently in different applications?
Does the processor version affect Xiaomi’s speed?
Is it safe to use diagnostic applications?
💡
The fastest way to find out the processor is to install the CPU-Z application, and the most accurate way to compare characteristics is to search the model code on specialized sites.