Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the need to know the exact specs of their display, whether it’s because they want to compare the device to competitors, check the authenticity of the screen after buying it, or simply satisfy technical curiosity. In the world of budget and mid-budget smartphones, manufacturers often use different matrixes for the same models, making the question “what screen I have” especially relevant.
Modern Xiaomi devices are equipped with advanced technologies such as AMOLED and Super AMOLED, which provide rich black color and high contrast. However, in more affordable series such as the Redmi Note or Poco M, IPS LCD panels are still widely used. Understanding the difference between these technologies allows the user to better customize the gadget to their needs and avoid disappointment from the expected but not received image quality.
In this article, we will look at all the diagnostic tools available, from built-in engineering menus to third-party applications, and learn to distinguish between matrix providers, check refresh rates, and identify hidden defects that are not visible in normal interface use.
The main types of matrices in Xiaomi smartphones
Before we get to diagnostics, we need to understand what we're dealing with. Xiaomi uses two main types of display technology in its devices. IPS (In-Plane Switching is a classic technology that is valued for its natural color reproduction and low-brightness (PWM) flickering, which is durable but has less contrast compared to the low-brightness levels. OLED-analogue.
The second type is AMOLED and its modifications (E-AMOLED, Super AMOLED), in which each pixel is individually illuminated, allowing them to be turned off to display black, which gives infinite contrast and saves battery power when using dark themes. However, AMOLED screens can be sensitive to burnout static interface elements over time.
Visually determining the type of matrix can sometimes be difficult, especially when comparing the flagship IPS with the budget AMOLED. The key difference is the depth of black: on AMOLED it is completely black, whereas on IPS black is rather dark gray, especially when looking at the screen at an angle in the dark.
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Black check: Turn on a black image in a dark room. If the screen glows gray, you have an IPS, if it merges with the smartphone frame, AMOLED.
Use of engineering menus and codes to check
The fastest way to access hidden display information is to use Xiaomi’s engineering menu, which is built into the MIUI and HyperOS shell and does not require any additional software to be installed.
Enter ##6484##. If the code is entered correctly, the CIT menu will automatically open. Here is a huge list of tests for all components of the device. We are interested in the item associated with the display, usually called Display, Screen or Version.
Clicking on the appropriate item will show you technical information. In some cases, it indicates the type of matrix or its supplier. However, often this section is only for visual verification (color rendering, multi-touch), and the technical details are hidden. If the standard code does not work, try ##4636##, although it is more network-oriented and battery-oriented, in some firmware there is a section "Display device information".
What do I do if the codes don't work?
It's important to understand that the engineering menu is a tool for service centers, and changing the settings in other sections of this menu without proper qualification can lead to malfunctioning of the device, and be careful to leave the menu as soon as you receive the information you need.
☑️ Check through CIT menu
Applications for detailed diagnostics of the display
When built-in tools are scarce, specialized tools from the Google Play Store come to the rescue, which can read data directly from the Android system and provide it in a convenient way. One of the most popular and reliable tools is the Device Info HW app.
Once you install and run the Device Info HW, you need to go to the Screen tab, and here you will find comprehensive information: resolution, pixel density (DPI), physical size in inches and, most importantly, matrix type. The app often specifies the panel manufacturer (e.g., Samsung, BOE, Tianma) and technology (OLED, LCD).
Another powerful tool is AIDA64, which is a cross-platform tool that shows a detailed report of all the hardware. In the Display section, you can see not only the type of screen, but also the modes supported (hertz), color depth and even the current rendering resolution, which can differ from the physical in order to save energy.
The third option is Phone Info SAM, or its counterparts, which were originally designed for Samsung, but work great with Xiaomi, too, and can show the factory code of a display model, which is useful when looking for repair parts, but it's worth remembering that software-based matrix type determination can sometimes fail if the manufacturer doesn't prescribe the correct identifiers in the drivers.
Analysis of characteristics through system settings
You don't always need to install extra programs. Basic but important information can be found in standard Android settings. Go to Settings → About Phone → All settings and quickly click on "Kernel Version" or "MIUI Version" several times to get into the extended menu, although direct information about the matrix may not be there.
A more useful way is through the About Phone menu → Characteristics. This shows the native screen resolution and pixel density. Knowing the diagonal (for example, 6.67 inches) and resolution (for example, 2400×1080), you can indirectly judge the quality of the matrix. High resolution on a large diagonal (more than 350 PPI) is more common on AMOLED panels, although IPS can boast good performance.
Also worth a look at is Settings → Screen → Update Frequency. If you have a choice between 60Hz, 90Hz and 120Hz, that already speaks to the screen class. Flagship AMOLED panels often support adaptive frequency (LTPO), which varies from 1 to 120Hz depending on the content, and having such an option is a sure sign of an advanced matrix.
⚠️ Attention: In some shells MIUI Information about the exact display model can be hidden or replaced with a common code"AMOLED" In marketing materials, check the actual characteristics.
Testing for broken pixels and color reproduction
It is not enough to know the type of matrix, it is also important to assess its condition: broken pixels are defects that can manifest immediately or later. Use online services to check or download wallpaper with monochromatic colors (black, white, red, green, blue).
Run a full screen display of each color. The black background shows the "burning" (bright) pixels, and the white one shows the "dead" (dark) dots. On AMOLED screens, black should be perfect; if you see gray glow all over the field or local lights, this can indicate poor build quality or a matrix defect.
Also, look at the viewing angles. Tilt the phone at 45-60 degrees. There's almost no viewing angle on quality IPSs, colors don't invert. Cheap IPSs or old AMOLEDs can see a change in hue (going yellow or blue) and a drop in brightness.
| Parameter | IPS LCD | AMOLED |
|---|---|---|
| Black. | Dark gray (backlighting) | Absolutely black (pixel off) |
| Contrast | 1000:1 - 1500:1 | Infinity (or >100,000:1) |
| Energy consumption | Constant (LEDs always burn) | Depends on the picture (dark themes save charge) |
| The risk of burnout | Minimum | There is a risk with static content |
| SHEAM (shimmering) | Absent or low | Often high at low brightness |
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AMOLED screens provide better picture and energy savings, but IPS is safer for the eyes when reading long-term due to the lack of PWM.
Update frequency and sensory sampling
The smoothness of the interface depends not only on the processor, but also on the characteristics of the screen. The refresh rate (Refresh Rate) is measured in Hertz (Hz) and shows how many times per second the image is updated. Standard is 60 Hz, modern Xiaomi models offer 90, 120 and even 144 Hz.
Touch Sampling Rate is a parameter that shows how often the touch layer is surveyed. In Black Shark or Poco F series gaming smartphones, this figure can reach 480 Hz and even 720 Hz. This provides instant feedback to touch, which is critical in shooters.
Check the actual refresh rate using the Refresh Rate Checker app or through the built-in developer features. Enable Developer Mode (7 times click on "MIUI Version" in "About Phone"), then look for "Show Update Frequency" (or Similar). The screen will display an FPS counter that will jump from 1 to maximum value depending on the load.
It is worth noting that many of Xiaomi’s AMOLED screens use LTPS or LTPO technology. LTPO allows you to dynamically change the frequency from 1 Hz to 120 Hz, which saves battery life. If the specifications are “Adaptive 120Hz”, then you have such an advanced matrix.
⚠️ Attention: High refresh rate (120 Hz)+) If battery life is a priority, consider reducing the frequency to 60 Hz in the screen settings.
How to find out the matrix provider (Vendor Check)
For enthusiasts and those who buy used devices, the question is: who made the matrix itself? Xiaomi, like many other brands, buys panels from different vendors: Samsung Display, BOE, Tianma, Huaxing. The quality of panels from Samsung is traditionally considered the reference, but BOE and Tianma also produce excellent products.
You can't know the exact vendor through standard settings. You'll need root rights or use. ADB (Android Debug Bridge. With the adb shell command, you can try to pull out the kernel log where the display driver is mentioned"msm_drm.mdp" or mentioning "samsung" in the logs may indicate the manufacturer.
A simpler, less accurate method is to analyze the model code in an engineering menu or through applications like Device Info HW in expert mode, sometimes in the line "Panel Name" or "Vendor" code is specified, which is decrypted on the developer forums (XDA Developers) for a particular model of the phone.
The difference between vendors can only be seen by a detailed comparison of two identical models next to each other, whether it's about maximum brightness, calibration of colors out of the box, or the performance of Always On Display.