How to determine the originality of Xiaomi AirDots 3: a complete guide with photos and videos

Xiaomi AirDots 3 wireless headphones (or Redmi AirDots 3 in some regions) have become one of the most popular budget headphones. TWS-But the high demand for fakes has spawned a wave of fakes, from rough copies to almost indistinguishable replicas. According to AliExpress Research 2023, up to 30% of Xiaomi headphones sold on marketplaces are counterfeit. At the same time, fakes not only sound worse, but can also pose a danger: from bloating batteries to leaking data through uncertified software.

In this article, we'll look at 7 reliable ways to verify the originality of AirDots 3, from visual inspection of the package to software analysis, learn what details to pay attention to when buying, how to distinguish a fake by sound, and why even a serial number does not always guarantee authenticity, and at the end, a checklist for quick verification and answers to frequent questions.

1. Packaging check: 5 key differences of the original

Packaging is the first and most obvious sign of counterfeiting. counterfeit manufacturers often skimp on the quality of the box, labels and printing. The original Xiaomi AirDots 3 comes in a dense matte-white box with a clear embossed inscription Mi True Wireless Earphones 3 (or Redmi AirDots 3 for the sub-brand version).

Here's what to look out for:

• 📦 Box material: the original has a dense cardboard with a matte coating, fakes - thin glossy or rough.
• 🔍 Fonts and logos: the original Mi or Redmi logo is clear, without blurred edges. The letters "True Wireless" are written in gray, not black.
• 🏷️ Serial number sticker: should be flatly glued, with a clear QR-code and without spelling errors (e.g., "Made in China" rather than "Made on China").
• 📏 Box sizes: the original packaging has dimensions 105×60×30 Counterfeiting is often narrower or higher.
• 🔖 Instructions: In the original it is bilateral (Chinese) + English, with high-quality printing, often blurred text or translation errors in counterfeits.

Some fakes copy the package almost perfectly, so just looking at the box is not enough. Always check the contents.

2. Visual inspection of headphones and case: details that give a fake

Even if the packaging looks suspicious, the final verdict can only be reached after examining the headphones themselves and the charging case. The original AirDots 3 has a number of unique design solutions that are difficult to replicate for cheap manufacturers.

Case:

• 🔋 Charge indicator: in the original it flashes white when connected to a charge, in fakes it often glows blue or green.
• 🔄 Magnetic cover: should open/close with a clear click. In fakes, the cover often dangles or closes with force.
• 📌 Port port USB-C: The original connector is centered and has no backlash. Counterfeiters often use microUSB or curved. USB-C.

Headphones:

• 🎧 Weight: the original headphone weighs 4.5 g, fakes - from 3.8 to 5.2 g (can be checked on kitchen scales).
• 🔊 Grid dynamics: in the original metal with fine perforation, in counterfeits - plastic or with large holes.
• 📶 Infrared sensor: The original headphones have two small holes next to the microphone (for the "stop-pause" function.

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If the headphones are too light or heavy, that's a sure sign of a fake. Weigh them on a kitchen scale to within 0.1 g. The original AirDots 3 weighs exactly 4.5 g each.

3.Serial number check: Does Xiaomi's official service work?

One of the most reliable ways to check is to use the official Xiaomi Verification service, the serial number of the headphones is listed on the sticker inside the case (under the battery) and on the box.

1. Go to the site. mi.com/global/verify (Use an alternative service for some regions).
2. Enter the serial number (S/N) from the sticker.
3. If the headphones are original, the system will show the model and the date of production. If it's fake, it will give you an error. SN".

Since 2023, fraudsters have learned to fake serial numbers, so only comprehensive inspection (packaging) gives a 100% guarantee. + appearance + PO).

The serial number can also be checked through the Mi Home app:

1. Put the headphones on the phone.
2. Open Mi Home → Profile → My devices.
3. Find AirDots 3 in the list and check the serial number in the device information.

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If the serial number on the box and inside the case do not match, before you 100% Original headphones always have the same thing. S/N both.

4.Analysing Sound and Microphone: How Counterfeiting Is Showing Off

Even if the headphones look like the original, their sound characteristics often give out counterfeit.The original Xiaomi AirDots 3 features 14.2mm speakers with support for codecs AAC and SBC, whereas fakes use cheap 10-12 mm drivers without advanced codecs.

How to check the sound:

• 🎵 Bass: original, deep, but not "bullying." In fakes, basses often wheez at high volume.
• 🎶 High frequencies: the original transmits them clearly, without whistles, and fakes can beep at frequencies above 12 kHz.
• 🔊 Loudness: Original headphones give up to 100 dB without distortion. Counterfeiting starts to wheez as early as 70-80% of the volume.

Microphone test:

Record your voice on the voice recorder through your headphones:

• The original voice is natural, without noise.
• The fake adds background noise, the voice sounds like "from the barrel."

Include a track with deep bass (e.g., "Seven Nation Army" by The White Stripes)|Listen to high frequencies (violin or female vocals)|Record your voice through the microphone.|Compare the volume at maximum (the original does not wheez)

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Important! Some fakes mimic the sound of the original with an equalizer in the firmware. Use test tracks at 20 to 20,000 Hz for accurate testing.

5. Software: How to Check Firmware and Connection

The original Xiaomi AirDots 3 runs on proprietary firmware with support for Mi TrueWireless Stereo. Counterfeiters often use universal chips that give themselves away through:

Signs of the original software:

• 📱 Bluetooth name: should be displayed as "Mi True Wireless Earphones 3" or "Redmi AirDots 3" (without typos!).
• 🔄 Double-touch function: in the original works stably, in fakes often works again.
• 🔋 Charge notifications: original sounds the charge level of the case and headphones in English.Fakes are either silent or speak Chinese.

How to check the firmware version:

1. Put the headphones on the phone.
2. Install the nRF Connect (Android) or Bluetooth app LE Scanner (iOS).
3. Find the AirDots 3 device and see the firmware version in properties.The original has a version of the view. V1.2.3.4, Fakes: random set of numbers (e.g. 123456).

Attention! Some fakes mimic branded software, but betray themselves through the lack of Game Mode (low latency) or the inability to update firmware through Mi Home.

Comparison with official characteristics: table of key parameters

To make sure you’re completely original, compare the specifications of your headphones to official data from Xiaomi. Below is a table of key parameters that are most often forged.

To check your work time, charge your headphones 100%, turn the music on at 50% volume, and record the time to discharge. If it's less than 4 hours, you're a fake.

How to check for the sound delay:

1. Turn on the phone Game Mode in Bluetooth settings (if any).
2. Run the video on YouTube and sync the sound with your lip movements.
3. In the original delay is almost invisible, in fakes - from 0.1 to 0.3 seconds.

7 Where to buy so as not to run into a fake: proven ways

Even though you know all the features of the original, you still have the risk of buying a fake if you choose an unreliable seller, and here's a ranking of the safest ways to buy it (from the most reliable to the most risky):

1. The official Mi Store (mi.com or offline boutiques) is 100% original, but the price is higher than the market.
2. Authorized resellers (MVideo, Svyaznoy, Eldorado) are original, but check for certificates.
3. Large marketplaces with buyer protection (Wildberries, Ozon, AliExpress with reviews) >95% - risk of forgery ~10%.
4. Local online stores are 30-50% risk, be sure to require a photo of the package and serial number before paying.
5. Buying from hand (Avito, OLX) — The risk is 70-90%, counterfeits are often sold as "gifts" or "sales".

How to reduce the risk when buying on the marketplace:

• 🛒 Check the seller’s rating (should be) >98% of positive reviews).
• 📸 Request a photo of the package with the serial number before payment.
• 💳 Pay only through secure methods (not by transfer to the card!).
• 📦 When receiving, check the headphones according to this instruction before signing the acceptance certificate.

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If the price of Xiaomi AirDots 3 is below 2,500 rubles (2026) – it is almost certainly a fake.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions