Checking the health of Xiaomi wireless headphones: a full guide

When purchasing True Wireless Stereo (TWS) headset from a popular Chinese brand, users often face the need for rapid verification of the device. The market is full of quality copies that are almost indistinguishable from the original, but their functionality and reliability leave much to be desired, which is why checking Xiaomi wireless headphones for performance becomes a critical step immediately after purchase or unpacking.

There are many ways to assess the condition of the device, from banal listening to music to the use of specialized software. Visual inspection and basic pairing give only a superficial view, while a deep test allows you to identify hidden defects of microphones, problems with a Bluetooth module or uneven wear of the battery. It is important to understand that even a new gadget can have a production defect that will manifest itself only when actively used.

In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithms for diagnosing the Redmi Buds, Mi True Wireless and Xiaomi Earbuds series. You will learn how to distinguish a fake, how to conduct a stress test connection and what hidden system functions will help to identify faults.

Visual diagnostics and equipment of the device

The first step in any testing should be a thorough external inspection. The case of the charging case and the headphones themselves should not have chipped, scratched or backlashes of the lid. Pay attention to the build quality: the seams should be smooth, and the Xiaomi or Redmi logo should be clearly applied and not erased with a light rubbing finger. Any deviation from the reference photos on the official website may indicate artisanal production.

Check the presence and condition of all components in the kit. The original package usually contains the headphones themselves, the charging case, the charging cable (often USB Type-C or Micro-USB) and interchangeable mounts of different sizes. The absence of instructions in multiple languages or the presence of spelling errors in the printing is an alarming sign. Also check the contact areas on the headphones and inside the case: they should be clean, without oxides and dents.

• 🔍 Check the sealability of the packaging: the original seals should not be broken or glued.
• 🔍 Estimate the weight of the device: counterfeits are often lighter than the originals due to the use of cheap plastic and a smaller battery.
• 🔍 inspect indicators: LEDs inside the case should burn smoothly, without flickering or dim glow.

Pay special attention to the speaker grid. In the original models, it's hidden under a protective filter that fits tightly into the body. If you see glue around the speakers or the mesh slipping easily in, it's a sign of poor build quality. The presence of a factory protective film on the touch areas of the headphones is a sure sign that the device is really new and has not been used before.

⚠️ Warning: If you smell the chemical smell of cheap plastic when you open the case, it may indicate the use of toxic materials in a fake.

Connection with a smartphone and check the stability of the signal

The next step is to connect to a mobile device. To work properly, it is recommended to use Android smartphones, as they provide the best compatibility with the MIUI and HyperOS ecosystem. Turn on Bluetooth on your phone, open the case cover with headphones inside and wait for the animation pop-up. If the window does not appear, try resetting Bluetooth or rebooting the phone.

Connection stability is a key performance parameter. Walk around the room, moving away from the phone at a distance of up to 10 meters. The sound should not be interrupted, cracked or stuttered. If you notice a signal loss at a distance of less than 3-5 meters in open space, this may indicate a weak Bluetooth module or antenna. Also check how fast the headphones connect when extracting from the case: the originals do it almost instantly.

It's important to test each earpiece separately, so leave one earpiece in the case and use the other to play audio. Then repeat the procedure with the other ear, which will help you identify a situation where one channel is quieter or with interference, which is often found in defective batches, mono mode should switch without delay and disconnection.

• 📶 Check the Bluetooth version in your phone’s post-connect settings (should be 5.0, 5.2 or higher).
• 📶 Make sure that the audio transmission codec (for example, AAC or SBC) correctly.
• 📶 Test reconnect: Take out the headphones, turn off Bluetooth and turn on again – they should plug in automatically.

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For more accurate diagnosis, use Bluetooth analyzer applications that show the signal strength (RSSI) in real time. Dramatic jumps in the dBm value indicate problems with the antenna.

Diagnostics through the application Xiaomi Earbuds / Mi Buds

The most accurate information about the state of the headphones is provided by the official Xiaomi Earbuds app (formerly Mi Buds). Download it from Google Play or Mi App Store and perform pairing. The app will automatically determine your headphone model, firmware version and current battery charge of each of the ears separately. If the app does not see the device or displays it as "Unknown Device", this is a serious cause for doubt.

Inside the app, you can have the equalizer and noise reduction (ANC) settings section. Try switching the Noise Reduction, Transparency, Turned Off modes. You should hear a clear difference in the sound pattern. If you turn on the ANC, you get a strong white noise or whistle and the transparency mode doesn't let external sounds in, the microphones are not working properly.

The "Find My Earbuds" feature is also a great test: start playing the sound through the app and put the case in another room; loud and clear signal from the headphones will confirm the health of the speakers; and in addition, the application often available calibration touch controls, which allows you to check the responsiveness of the touch zones.

⚠️ Warning: If the app offers to update the firmware, be sure to do so before the final check. Often manufacturers fix bugs with desynchronization of sound through software updates.

Testing of sound quality and microphone operation

The sound quality is subjective, but there are objective signs of malfunction. Turn on a track with a wide frequency range (classic music or high-quality pop). Pay attention to the balance: the sound in the left and right earphones should be identical in volume and timbre. If one ear sounds "stuff" or quieter, it may be defective or filled with sulfur (in the case of a used device).

Microphones are a weak point in many budget models. To test them, run a tape recorder or video recorder in a quiet room, and then outside in the wind. The voice should be legible, without severe distortion and the effect of "scuba diving." In models with ENC (call suppression), background noise should be significantly reduced. Check the operation of each microphone separately, covering the holes on the body with your finger during a conversation.

The lip-sync test is critical for watching videos. Open YouTube or TikTok and notice the movement of the actors' lips. A delay of more than 100-150 ms makes viewing unbearable. In Game Mode, if declared by the manufacturer, the delay should be minimal. You can use specialized video tests on YouTube to accurately measure it.

Testing of autonomy and charging system

Autonomy is one of the main parameters TWS-Fully charge the case and headphones, and then play the music at medium volume (nearly) 50-60%). Record the operating time to the full discharge of one of the headphones. Real time should match the manufacturer's stated error with no more than 10-15%. If the headphone is turned off through 30-40 minutes instead of the stated 4-5 o'clock, battery defective.

The charging process also requires attention. Connect the case to the power source and observe the indicator. It should catch fire immediately and change color or go out as it charges. Check whether the headphones are charging inside the case: the indicators on the headphones themselves (if any) or in the application should show a growing percentage of charge. Unstable contact when the charge goes, then interrupts, indicates a problem with the pins in the case.

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A sharp jump in charge (for example, from 40% to 5% per minute) indicates a “dead” battery cell that must be replaced under warranty.

Identification of counterfeit: the difference between the original and the replica

Xiaomi's accessories market is full of high-quality copies that copy not only the design, but the fork. However, the software part gives out a fake immediately. The original headphones have a unique serial number that can be checked on the official website. In the Mi Buds app, the fake will either not appear or show a generic image without detail.

Notice the weight and the materials. Originals are often heavier because of the quality of batteries and magnets. The plastic of the original is matte, pleasant to the touch and does not collect prints as actively as the glossy cheap plastic of copies. The loop of the case in the original has a pleasant, tight stroke, while in counterfeits it often dangles or opens too easily.

• 🛡️ Check the serial number on the box and on the inside of the case cover – they should match.
• 🛡️ Originals have clear audible alarms when turned on/off, copies often silent or emit a quiet squeak.
• 🛡️ In the phone settings, the originals display the icon of a particular device, rather than the standard headset icon.

Another method is to check through Xiaomi's engineering menu (code ##6484##) if you have a smartphone from the brand. In the Hardware Test section, you can select a Bluetooth test and check the stability of the connection and the protocol version. Counterfeiting often uses older versions of protocols, as you can see in the detailed info.