How to identify a fake Xiaomi: a complete guide with photos and videos

Buying a Xiaomi device at a price below the market is a dream of many, but often tempting offers hide fakes that are almost indistinguishable from the original. According to Mi Community Russia, up to 15% of the brand’s gadgets on the secondary market are counterfeit, and in 2023 the number of fraudulent schemes with fake Redmi and POCO increased by 40%.

In this article, we will discuss 12 reliable ways to verify the originality of Xiaomi – from visual inspection of the package to deep diagnostics of firmware and iron. You will learn how to distinguish a fake before you buy (from the photos and description), what to check when you receive an order, and what hidden markers of originality are in each device of the brand. 13T), Smart watches (Mi Band 8), headphones (Buds 4 Pro) and other equipment 2023-2026.

1. Packaging check: 5 signs of forgery

The box is the first and most obvious indicator of originality. Fraudsters often save on packaging, so carefully inspect it before opening.

• 📦 Matte coating with a light embossing of the logo (forgeries, often glossy or rough surface).
• 🔍 Clear fonts without blurring or errors in the model name (for example, "Redmmi" instead of "Redmi").
• 🖼️ Hologram with transfusion effect (the sticker should change color when tilted).
• 📏 Exact sizes: original Xiaomi boxes 13 Pro and Redmi Note 12 Pro+ They have a fixed size (for example, 16.5 × 8.5 × 3.5 centimeter).
• 🔖 Serial number on the sticker that matches the number under the battery.

And you'll pay special attention to the barcode sticker, which is flatly glued, without bubbles or creases, and the barcode itself is scanned by apps like Barcode Scanner and leads to Xiaomi's official website, and fakes often use fake codes that are not recognized or lead to third-party resources.

⚠️ Warning: Fraudsters have learned to fake even holograms! Check if the pattern changes when the box is tilted at an angle of 45° — The original must have a hidden Mi logo.

2. Visual inspection of the device: details that give off a fake

Even if the package looks perfect, the device itself could be a copy.

• 📱 Logo: on the original Xiaomi it is convex (often flat or depressed on fakes). POCO The logo should be lit up when notified.
• 🔧 Clearances and assembly: the original devices have no backlashes between the body and the screen.
• 🎨 Color and texture: Redmi Note 12 has an original “glass” gradient that cannot be translated on a fake (it will be matte or with a rough pattern).
• 🔊 Speakers and microphones: the original has symmetrical holes without barbs. Hold the device to your ear - fakes often whistle at maximum volume.

Note the camera: The original Xiaomi 13 Ultra and Redmi Note 12 Pro+ have lenses that protrude 1 to 1.5 mm above the body and have sapphire glass (not scratched with a key).

3. IMEI and serial number check: step-by-step instruction

Each Xiaomi device has a unique IMEI (for smartphones) and a serial number (S/N) (for all gadgets), which can be checked in three ways:

1. On the box and under the battery: the numbers must match. If the battery is non-removable (like the Xiaomi 13T), check the IMEI settings: Settings → About Phone → General information → IMEI.
2. Through USSD-code: enter on the phone keyboard *#06# - will appear IMEI. Compare it to the number on the box.
3. On the official website: go to the Xiaomi verification page and enter the serial number.The original device will show the model, the date of production and the warranty status.

If you check the site with an Invalid S/N error or the data does not match the model on the box, you are a fake.

• The IMEI starts with 00 or 99 (these are junk numbers).
• The serial number is shorter than 14 characters or contains letters (original – only numbers).

4. firmware diagnostics: how to distinguish the original MIUI

Fake Xiaomis often run on left-handed firmware that mimics MIUI, but has critical differences.

1. See MIUI version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. The original firmware is MIUI format by Xiaomi (e.g. MIUI 14.0.5 by Xiaomi). Fakes write something like MIUI v12 without branding.
2. Check availability of Google services: original devices for Russia/Europe have Google Play Services and Google Play Store. If they are not available, it is "Chinese" firmware (possibly a re-stitched fake).
3. Run the authenticity test: enter the code ##4636## in the Phone app. The original MIUI will open the testing menu, the fake will open an error or an empty screen.

Another reliable way to check for software updates is to go to Settings → About Phone → System Update. The original device will find available updates and show the file size (e.g. 2.5-3.5 GB), or fakes will either not find updates or offer to download a file weighing less than 500 MB.

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If you have Xiaomi with global firmware, but the language is not Russian in the settings, it is 100% fake. Original devices for Russia always have full localization.

5.Iron testing: camera, processor, sensors

Fake Xiaomis are often equipped with weak hardware that gives itself away when tested.

• 📸 Camera: take a photo on the main camera and zoom in on it.The original Xiaomi 13 Pro and Redmi Note 12 Pro+ They keep the details even at 10x zoom, and the fakes give you a soapy image at 2.× zoom.
• 🔋 Battery: run the test in the AccuBattery app. Original devices show a capacity close to the declared one (for example, 4980 mAh instead of 5000 mAh.
• 📊 Performance: Install the AnTuTu Benchmark. Compare the result to the official model data. For example, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ It should be at least 500,000. Counterfeiting rarely scores more than 200,000.
• 🧲 Sensors: check the gyroscope, compass and NFC (If any, through the Sensor Test app, counterfeits often lack sensors or are not working properly.

Pay special attention to charging. The original Xiaomi supports fast charging (e.g., the 120W for the Redmi Note 12 Pro+). Connect the original power supply and check the speed in AccuBattery: if charging is slower than stated (e.g., 18W instead of 67W), it is a fake.

⚠️ Warning: Some fakes mimic high benchmark scores! check the body temperature during the test - original devices heat moderately, fakes often get hot after 5 minutes.

6.Price and place of purchase check: red flags

If the price of Xiaomi is 30-50% below the market, this is a reason to be wary.

Dangerous signs when buying:

• 🛒 The seller refuses to show the device live (photo/video only).
• 📦 The device is sold without a box or with a "Euro-set" (without charging).
• 💳 Require 100% prepayment without the possibility of checking before payment.
• 🌍 Goods "from China" with delivery 1-2 days (original devices go 2-4 weeks).

Safe Places to Buy Xiaomi in 2026

• 🏬 Official website mi.com/ru.
• 🏪 Partner shops: Svyaznoy, M. Video, Eldorado.
• 🛒 Marketplace with official sellers (on Wildberries, look for the Xiaomi Official Store").

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If a seller claims that a device is "branded from Dubai" or "a gift from Xiaomi" is 99% fake, the brand does not distribute the equipment through such channels.

7. Check through official Xiaomi services

The most reliable way to confirm originality is to use tools from Xiaomi:

1. Authentication site: mi.com/global/verify. Enter the serial number and the system will show the status of the device.
2. The Mi Verify app (available on Google Play) barcode scanner from the box will show if the device is original.

If the device is already activated, check it through Mi Account:

1. Register at account.xiaomi.com.
2. Link the device to your account in Settings → Xiaomi Account.
3. Check the list of devices in your profile – the original will show up with the model and serial number.

If the link fails or the device does not appear in the account, it is a fake.

• Mi Verify is an error that is not recognized.
• On the check site, the serial number is defined as a model that does not match the box (for example, instead of the Redmi Note 12 shows the Redmi 9A).

8.What to do if you have purchased a fake?

If you are already a victim of fraud, follow the algorithm:

1. Collect evidence: photo / video of the device, screens of correspondence with the seller, a check (if any).
2. Contact the hotline Xiaomi Russia: +7 (495) 660-02-60. Report a fake - the brand is fighting counterfeit.
3. File a complaint to the site where the device was purchased (Wildberries, Ozon, Avito), and attach proof that you must return the money.

Don't try to refashion the fake or use it as the original.

• 🔥 They can overheat and ignite (due to poor-quality batteries).
• 📵 They have a weak signal (due to cheap antennas).
• 🛡️ Contains malware for data theft.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi fakes can't be officially repaired! service centers deny warranties and spare parts for them are not produced.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi fakes