Xiaomi Buying: 12 Critical Checks Before Payment

Xiaomi smartphones have long been popular thanks to a combination of cutting-edge technology and affordable prices. However, even proven brands have faulty devices, fakes or phones with hidden problems. According to service centers, up to 15% of new Xiaomi returns are due to defects that could be detected by careful check before buying.

This article isn’t about abstract tips like “look at the screen” — here you’ll find specific tests that reveal 90% of typical Xiaomi problems in the store, including hidden battery defects, trim changes and software bookmarks. We’ll look at how to distinguish the original from the clone, which settings to check first, and why even a new phone can be “bear” after resuscitation.

Packaging and completeness check: 5 signs of forgery

The first thing that catches your eye is the box. Xiaomi has strict packaging standards, and any deviations should be alerted. The original boxes have a matte coating with a clear logo seal, whereas fakes are often glossy or blurred edges. Note the barcode: official devices must match the code on the sticker under the battery (if you can see it).

In 2026, even the budget models of Redmi come with a proprietary USB-C cable (old models could have microUSB), a power adapter with the Mi logo and Cyrillic documentation for the Russian market.

• 📦 Box: matte, with a clear embossing of the logo and a hologram (on models of the premium segment)
• 🔌 Charger: "Mi" or "Redmi" is the power corresponding to passport (for example, the power of the device is not, 33W For the Redmi Note 12 Pro+)
• 📄 Documents: warranty card with the stamp of the official dealer, instructions in Russian
• 🔋 Accessories: silicone case (if provided), paperclip for tray SIM-map

⚠️ Warning: Counterfeit cables are often equipped with cheap cables without a logo that can damage the charging port. Check the inscription on the adapter - the original one is engraved, the copy is painted.

External inspection: microcracks, backlashes and other "little things"

Even a new phone can have hidden mechanical defects that will show up in a week of use. Start by checking the display: turn on the phone and illuminate the flashlight at an angle — so you can see microcracks that are not noticeable on a normal inspection. Pay special attention to the corners of the screen, where chips often form when falling.

Check the body for backlashes and gaps. Take the phone by the top and bottom and squeeze slightly — if you hear a squeak or feel a deflection, this is a sign of poor build or previous falls. For models with a glass rear panel (for example, Xiaomi 13T), check the integrity of the glass: scuffs or small scratches can indicate recovery after repair.

• 🔍 Screen: no "web" when illuminating, uniform illumination without yellowness at the edges
• 📱 Body: no backlashes between the frame and the back panel, buttons are pressed with a clear click
• 🎨 Oleophobic coating: fingers slide without resistance (if the coating is erased, the screen will be "sticky")
• 🔊 Speakers and microphones: the grids of speakers are intact, there is no trace of glue or dust

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To check for oleophobic coatings, swipe across the screen with a dry finger -- if there are greasy marks, the coating is erased. This is not critical, but it indicates that the phone has already been used.

3. Display check: tests for broken pixels and PWM-flicker

The screen is the most expensive component of a smartphone, and its defects are often hidden. Start with a broken pixel test: run a video with a uniform color (e.g. black, red, green) at full brightness. Broken pixels will be visible as color dots. Use the Screen Test app from Google Play for convenience.

Pay special attention PWM-flickering (pulse-latitudinal modulation) that can cause eye fatigue. Xiaomi has high-frequency models PWM (For example, Xiaomi 13 Pro - 1920 Hz), but budget Redmi sometimes flicker at low brightness:

1. Set the brightness to 20-30%.
2. Point the camera of the other phone on the screen.
3. If you see the bands in the video, PWM is present.

Run a test for broken pixels|Check the uniformity of the lighting (no yellow spots)|Make sure there is no “moire effect” when scrolling|Check the sensitivity of the touchscreen at the edges-->

⚠️ Attention: AMOLED-Check this out by showing a uniform gray background on the screen – if you can see the contours of previous interfaces (for example, navigation bars), the phone has already been actively used.

Battery Testing: How to Identify a Tired Battery

The battery is the fastest-wearing component of a smartphone, and even if the phone is new, the battery could have been in storage for years or replaced with a low-quality one.

1. Enter the phone app code ##4636##.
2. Select "Battery Information".
3. Compare the value of the level (current charge) and health (state).

The health value should be close to 100%. If it's below 90%, the battery is worn out.

Check the charging speed:

• Connect the original charger.
• Launch the Ampere app (showing charging current).
• For the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ with support for 120W, the current should be 5000-6000 mA in the first minutes.

Never.|Only if you notice a quick discharge.|Periodically, every six months.|Always before buying a used phone-->

5. Diagnostics of cameras: how to identify "soap" modules

Xiaomi cameras are famous for high resolution, but even flagship models can have defects. Start by checking autofocus:

• Point the camera at the text from close range (10-15 cm).
• The camera must focus quickly without floating contours.
• If the focus is “breathing” (constantly adjusting), the module is damaged.

Next, test the night shot. Take a photo in a dark room with the night mode on. The original Xiaomi cameras (for example, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra with the Sony IMX989) should have a clear frame with minimal noise. If the photo is blurred or with a green tint, it is either a fake or a restored module.

Note the wide-angle camera. Many Redmi models have low resolution (e.g., 8MP for the Redmi Note 12), but even then there should be no strong edge distortion (fish-eye effect). Check this by taking a straight line (e.g., the edge of the table) - it should not be bend very much.

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If you shoot 4K video, the camera starts to overheat and shut down, that's a sign of either a fake module or a processor problem. The original Xiaomi consistently records 4K without artifacts.

6 Performance Check: How to Identify a “Smothered” Processor

Some vendors artificially understate the performance of the phone to hide overheating or wear, and you can check this with tests:

1. Install AnTuTu Benchmark or Geekbench 6.
2. Run the test. CPU. Compare the result with the model’s passport data (for example, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in Xiaomi 13 should dial up the phone). ~1,500 points in a single-core test).
3. If the results are lower by 20% or more, the processor is strangled (for example, via MIUI Optimized Mode).

Also check the trottling (decreased performance when heated):

• Launch Throttling Test CPU from Play Market.
• If the graph shows a frequency drop below 70% of the maximum, the phone overheats.

Pay attention to storage. In settings (Settings → Phone → Memory), check the type of drive. Flagships should have UFS 3.1/4.0, budget ones should have UFS 2.2 or eMMC 5.1. If you specify an eMMC where UFS should be, you either have a fake or a "relabeled" model.

7.Authenticity scanning: IMEI, SN and hidden tags

Each Xiaomi smartphone has unique identifiers that can be used to verify its history. Start with IMEI:

1. Enter *#06# and IMEI will appear on the screen.
2. Check it out at imei.info.
3. The data must match the model of the phone, and if the site shows a different model, you have a fake or a "shove-stitched" device.

Check the serial number (SN):

• It is listed on the box and under the battery (if you can see it).
• The SN match on the box and in the settings (Settings → About phone → General information) is mandatory.
• If the SN starts with 2210, 2211, etc., that's the production date (November 2022), too old a date could be a phone in stock.

For models from 2023-2026 (for example, Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13 Pro+) check is available through the official service Xiaomi:

1. Go to the checkout page.
2. Enter IMEI or SN.
3. The system will show you the activation date, and if the phone is already activated, it's not new.

8 Software Verification: Firmware, Bloat and Hidden Threats

Even the original Xiaomi can be infected with viruses or have unofficial firmware.Start by checking the version MIUI:

• Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.
• Check with the official firmware list.
• If the version is not on the list, the firmware is custom.

Check for bloat (pre-installed viruses or advertising applications):

• 🚫 Suspicious applications: com.android.XXX with unreadable names, KingUser (a sign of root rights).
• 🔍 Hidden processes: in Settings → Annexes → All applications should not be unknown services.
• 🛡️ Superuser rights: if in the developer menu (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap) Root access enabled, phone hacked.

For a deep check, use Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light. If the antivirus finds threats in system files, the firmware is modified.

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Starting with MIUI 14, Xiaomi has blocked firmware from other regions, and if you have Indian firmware on a European model, for example, it’s a sign of “gray” imports or counterfeiting.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions