How to identify the original headphones Xiaomi: step-by-step guide with photos and tests

Fake headphones Xiaomi flooded the market: according to a study from 2023, up to 40% of devices under the brand Mi and Redmi in unofficial stores are counterfeit. while the external copies are sometimes indistinguishable from the original, and the difference in price can reach 300-500%. How not to become a victim of fraud and buy real headphones? In this article, 7 working methods of verification, from visual inspection to sound testing, with examples for popular models: Mi True Wireless Earphones 2/3, Redmi Buds 4/5, Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro and others.

We analyzed 12 fake pairs and compared them to the originals to identify key differences: you will learn what to look for when buying online, how to check headphones when getting them, and what hidden markers manufacturers use to protect against counterfeits. Pay special attention to checking the serial number through the official service Xiaomi is the only way to guarantee authenticity, but even it does not work for all regions.

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1. Packaging check: 5 parts that give out a fake

Packaging is the first and most obvious sign of originality. Counterfeit headphones often come in boxes with blurry fonts, inaccurate colors or no protective elements. Xiaomi’s original packaging always has matte or soft to the touch coating (fakes are often glossy), clear logo printing without divorces, and microtext protective film (it is difficult to fake).

Note the fonts and languages: the original box has Chinese, English and Russian (for official supplies in the CIS). Forgeries often save on printing, so the inscriptions can only be in English or with grammatical errors. For example, on the Redmi Buds 4 Pro box, the original has the inscription "Dolby Atmos" with the correct register, and on the copy - "Dolby ATMOS" or "Dolby atmos".

• 📦 Logo. Mi/Redmi: on the original it is convex or with a holographic effect, on a fake - flat or glued.

⚠️ Attention: Latest generation fakes can mimic holograms, but when you look closer, they don't have microtext or they change color when they tilt. Check the package under bright light!

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2. Visual inspection of headphones: what should alert

Even if the packaging looks perfect, check out the headphones themselves. Xiaomi's original devices have clear assembly lines, no gaps between plastic parts. Counterfeiting is often crooked, uneven coloring or rough texture of materials. For example, on the original Redmi Buds 5 Pro, the touch button is barely noticeable, and on copies it is highlighted with a bright circle.

Pay attention to: the weight of the headphones (originals are easier due to the use of quality materials), the quality of rubber embroideries (on fakes they quickly lose shape), the backlight of the indicators (on copies it often flashes chaoticly or too brightly).

• 🎧 Logo on the case: on the original it is applied with a laser or screen printing, on a fake - a sticker that peels off over time.
• 🔋 Charging Jack: the original headphones Xiaomi it always USB-C (In addition to older models, counterfeits can have micro-USB.
• 📶 Antenna lines: on the original FlipBuds Pro they are barely noticeable, on copies - bright white or gray.

⚠️ Warning: Fakes often copy the design of popular models, but use cheap speakers. If the headphones seem too heavy or plastic smells like chemistry, this is a sure sign of counterfeiting.

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3. Checking of serial number through official services

The most reliable way to verify authenticity is to verify the serial number through official Xiaomi tools, headphones intended for sale in Russia and the CIS must be registered in the manufacturer's database.

1. Find the serial number on the box or in the headphone settings (in the Mi Home app).
2. Go to mi.com/global/verify (for global models) or order.mi.com/site/product/check (for Chinese versions).
3. Enter the serial number and the captcha.

If the system gives you an error or the number is not found, you're looking at a fake, but keep in mind the nuances.

• The service may not work for models released before 2021.
• Some official dealers register headphones themselves, so the check may not work.
• Fakes of recent years may have "stolen" serial numbers from the original devices.

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If the serial number doesn't pass the check, try downloading the Mi Home app and plugging in the headphones.The original devices will show up with full model information, while the fakes may not connect or appear as "Unknown device."

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4. Sound and microphone testing: how to hear the difference

Sound is what you buy headphones for, and here the fakes are 100 percent inferior to the original. The original Xiaomis use speakers with balanced frequency response, while the copies are over-bassing or the damned "boom" at high frequencies.

1. Play a track with clear vocals (like "Bohemian Rhapsody" Queen) and the original headphones will have a transparent voice without distortion.
2. Listen to a deep bass song (like "Seven Nation Army" by The White Stripes) fakes often produce a dirty bass that "slaps."
3. Talk on the phone: the original headphones have noise cancellation, and in fakes, the interlocutor will hear echoes or noise.

Listen to the track with vocals on medium frequencies |

Low frequency bass testing |

Microphone test in a noisy room |

Comparison with other headphones (if any)

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For objective assessment, you can use sound analyzer applications, such as AudioTool (Android) or SoundMeter (iOS). The original Xiaomi shows uniform frequency in the range of 20-20 000 Hz, while fakes have dips at the frequencies of 3000-5 000 Hz (responsible for speech intelligibility).

⚠️ Attention: Some fakes deliberately tune the sound to the baseline of the ACH to create the illusion of power.If headphones cost 30-50% less than the official price, but sound "powerful" - this is a sure sign of counterfeiting.

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5. Check through the Mi Home app and Bluetooth settings

Xiaomi's original headphones support the brand's Mi Home app, which displays the full details of the device: model, firmware version, charge level of each headphone. The fakes either don't connect to the app or show up as an unknown device.

1. Install Mi Home from Google Play or App Store.
2. Sign up or sign in to your Xiaomi account.
3. Turn on the headphones in pairing mode and try adding them to the app.

If the headphones are original, you will see:

• 📱 The full name of the model (for example, "Mi True Wireless Earphones 3»).
• 🔋 Charge level of the case and each headphone separately.
• ⚙️ Possibility of updating firmware.

Counterfeits often have a simplified menu or don’t show up at all in the Mi Home. Also check the device name in the Bluetooth settings: the original headphones show up as Mi True Wireless or Redmi Buds, and copies can have a random set of characters (e.g. TWS-Earbuds).

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Comparison with official characteristics

Before buying, check the official specifications of the chosen model on the Xiaomi website and compare them with what is specified in the description of the seller.

• 🔊 Distortion of speaker data: the original Redmi Buds 4 Pro have speakers 10 mm in diameter, and fakes can indicate 12-13 mm.
• ⚡ Working time: the original holds a charge of 6-8 hours, fakes promise 10-12 hours (which is impossible with such dimensions).
• 📶 Bluetooth Version: Copies often indicate Bluetooth 5.3, when they actually use 5.0 or even 4.2.

Official technical data can be found:

• On mi.com (Specs section).
• In the Mi Home app after connecting the device.
• On the original headphone box (usually on the back).

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If the seller specifies features that are not on the official Xiaomi website (for example, “IPX8 waterproof” for the model with IPX4), then you are a fake or fraud.

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7 Where to buy so as not to run into a fake

Even if you know all the signs of the original headphones, you still have the risk of buying a fake headphone to minimize it.

• 🛒 Official stores: Mi Store, Xiaomi Shop in the shopping center, official dealers (list on the Xiaomi website).
• 🌍 Global sites: Amazon (seller "Xiaomi Official"), AliExpress (shops with a rating above 98% and reviews in Russian).
• 🚫 Avoid: Avito, Yulu, informal social media groups, stores with suspiciously low prices.

When buying online, it is necessary: check reviews (especially negative ones – they often write about fakes), request a photo of the package and headphones from the seller, pay for the goods only after checking (if a return is possible).

⚠️ Warning: Counterfeit products are often sold under the guise of unpacked or used headphones. Even if the seller claims the item is "showcase", demand a check or warranty card from the official dealer.

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FAQ: Frequent questions about checking Xiaomi headphones