Xiaomi, a Chinese brand, has long won the trust of users around the world thanks to a combination of high technology and affordable prices. However, the popularity has the opposite side: the market is flooded with fakes that are almost indistinguishable from the originals, but in quality are much inferior to them. According to official statistics Xiaomi, up to 15% of devices sold through uncertified channels are counterfeit, and fakes are not only found among budget models – scammers even forge the flagship smartphones of the Mi 13 and Redmi Note 12 series.
Compounding the problem, counterfeit devices are often disguised as “gray” shipments or “sold out” residues. Vendors use tricks like “European version”, “tax-free” or “Hong Kong warehouse” to justify the lack of warranty. Meanwhile, counterfeit devices not only work worse, they can pose a security threat. For example, in 2023, Kaspersky Lab experts discovered spyware in the firmware of fake Xiaomi transmitting data to servers in China. How to protect yourself from fraud? In this guide, we will examine all the methods of verification, from visual inspection to deep-engineered diagnostics through deep menus.
1. Packaging check: 7 signs of forgery
The original Xiaomi box is the first and most visible indicator of authenticity. The manufacturer pays special attention to packaging design, so even the slightest deviations should be alerted. Let's start with materials: the real box is made of dense cardboard with a matte coating that is not imprinted on the fingers. Counterfeits often use glossy or too thin cardboard that is easy to bend.
Special attention should be paid to holographic stickers. On the original boxes, they have a clear relief, change color when tilted, and contain microtext (for example, the repeated word "Xiaomi"). Fake stickers are usually flat, blurry or holographic. Another key point is that the serial number on the box and under the battery of the device must match. If the number on the box is erased, glued or doesn't match the one on the phone, you're seeing 100% fake.
- 📦 Logo: The original box has a Mi or Redmi logo that is clear, evenly framed, and fakes often have blurred edges or the wrong shade of orange.
- 🔍 Barcode: Check the barcode through the Barcode Scanner app. the original code should lead to the official Xiaomi website with information about the model.
- 📏 Box sizes: Counterfeiting is often out of the box. For example, the Redmi Note box 11 should be flat 164×82×20 mm.
- 🖋️ Text on packaging: Original printed without errors, with uniform kerning. Counterfeiting often contains typos (e.g., "Made in Chana" instead of "Made in China").
⚠️ Warning: Fraudsters sometimes use original boxes from other Xiaomi models, such as in a box from Redmi 9A You can have a fake Redmi Note 10 Pro. Always check the model on the box and on the device!
2. Visual inspection of the device: details that give off fake
Even if the packaging looks perfect, the device itself can be fake. Start with the case materials. Xiaomi's original smartphones (except for the budget series) have a metal frame or glass back with an oleophobic coating. Counterfeiting is often made from cheap plastic that creaks when pressed or collects fingerprints. Swipe your nail around the edge of the case: the original should not be scratched.
Pay attention to the connectors and buttons:
The USB-Type C or MicroUSB should sit tight, without backlash.
The on and volume buttons on the original have a clear stroke with a tactile response, and on fakes they are either too soft or require effort to press.
- Speakers and microphones should be symmetrically positioned, and fakes often lack a second noise-cancellation microphone.
Another good sign is the camera, the original Xiaomi camera lenses have uniform anti-reflective coating and clear labels (for example, for example, "48MP" or "AI"). On fake cameras, the glass is often cloudy, divorced, and the inscriptions are blurred or crooked. Try flashing a flashlight on the lens: the original should not have a rainbow effect).
3. IMEI and serial number check: step-by-step instruction
IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity is a unique identifier for your device, and the original Xiaomi has it in three places:
1. on a box (usually on a barcode sticker).
2. Under the battery (on some models).
3.In the phone menu: Settings → The phone. → General information → IMEI.
To check the IMEI:
1. Dial on the phone keyboard *#06# - the screen will appear 15-digit code.
2. Compare him to IMEI They should match up.
3. Go to IMEI.info and enter the code. For the original Xiaomi, the results should state:
- The correct model name (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro) 5G, Not the Generic Phone").
Producing country (China, India or Vietnam for official shipments)
Release date (no older than 1-2 years for new models)
| Sign. | Original | Fake. |
|---|---|---|
| IMEI format | 15 digits, starting with 86 (China) or 35 (Europe) | Less than 15 characters, starting with 00 or repeating digits |
| IMEI match | Same on the box, under the battery and on the menu | Different or absent from the box |
| Check on imei.info | Shows model, country, date | Invalid IMEI Error or Wrong Model |
| Serial number (S/N) | 14–16 characters, letters and numbers | Short, only numbers or repeating characters |
If IMEI It doesn't pass the test, but it looks like the original, and you probably have a clone with a fake software, and it's often sold as a premium replica. IMEI from the real Xiaomi, stolen or lost. IMEI site SND Deep Info – if the device is wanted, it is better not to buy it.
The presence of a holographic sticker on the box|Coincidence. IMEI box-and-phone|Verification IMEI via imei.info|Visual inspection of connectors and buttons|Camera test for the presence of rainbow divorces-->
4.Diagnostics through engineering menu and hidden codes
Even if the packaging and IMEI OK, you can find the fake through the engineering menu:
- Open the Phone app and enter the code ##4636##.
- Go to the tab "Phone Information".
- Check the fields: - Baseband version (must contain the name of the processor, for example, Qualcomm Snapdragon) 732G). - Kernel version (original firmware assembly date, e.g. 4.19.113)+).
Forgeries, engineering menus often miss key sections or display errors like Null or Unknown, and another test is to check the sensors.
1. Enter the code ##0*##.
2. The screen will appear on the display and sensor testing menu.
3. Swipe your finger across the screen - on the original the trail should be smooth, without jerks.
4. Press the sensor icons (gyroscope, accelerometer, compass) If any of them don't respond, it's a fake.
Pay special attention to the camera test:
In the engineering menu, select Camera Test.
Take a photo on the front and main cameras.
The original Xiaomis keep their images with the right white balance and no noise, and fakes often make photos green or blurry.
What to do if the engineering menu is not opened?
5. Analysis of firmware and software
Firmware is the brain of a device, and for fakes, it's always different from the original. MIUI. Go to Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI. The original Xiaomi version must comply with official releases (for example, the official version of the model, MIUI Global 14.0.5. If you see something like this MIUI 10.3.2.0 on the new phone is a fake (you can check the current version on the official website).
Next, check for branded applications:
Mi Community (Social Network Xiaomi)
- Mi Home (for the smart home).
Security (antivirus and optimizer).
- Themes (themes of design).
These apps are either missing or unfeatured on fakes. Also look at Google services: the original Xiaomi for the global market has Google Play Market, YouTube and Gmail preinstalled. clones often have pirated versions or Chinese counterparts installed.
The last test is a firmware update:
1. Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update.
2.If the device is original, it must find available updates.
3. Fakes either give an error or offer to download firmware from suspicious sites.
⚠️ Note: Some fakes mimic the interface MIUI, But they're actually running a stripped-down version of Android. To check that out, install the app. AIDA64 from Google Play and see the Android section if the OS version is lower than the stated version (for example, Android 9 instead of Android 13), or if an unknown manufacturer is specified (for example, Android 9 is listed, "MTK" instead of "Xiaomi" is a fake.
6. Verification of equipment and accessories
The original Xiaomi always comes with a full suite of accessories, with each element having branded features.
- The original power supply indicates the exact voltage (for example, 5V/3A or 9V/2A) and the Mi logo.
- Counterfeiting often has blurred markings or incorrect technical characteristics (for example, for example, the product is not properly marked, 5V/1A For a model that should support fast charging).
The USB-Type C plug on the original charger is magnetized (it has metal contacts), but on the fake one it is not.
Check the cable further:
- Xiaomi’s original cable has thickened connectors with the Mi logo and markings USB 2.0 or USB 3.1.
- Fakes are often thinner, with flimsy connectors and no inscriptions.
- Do a bending test: the original cable does not break when bent repeatedly, and the squirrel cracks in fakes.
Equally important are the documents and stickers:
- The kit should be a warranty card with the stamp of the official dealer (for Russia - LLC "Xiomi RU").
- Sticker with IMEI on the box should be duplicated on the battery (if it is removable) or under the back cover.
Inside the box, there are often small instructions in several languages (including Russian for global versions), and counterfeits are usually supplied with instructions in Chinese or English only.
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If a seller claims that accessories are “lost” or “replaced with better ones,” that’s a reason to question the authenticity of the device. The original Xiaomi always sells with full equipment, and replacing parts deprives the buyer of a guarantee.
7.Where and how to buy Xiaomi, so as not to run into a fake
The most reliable way to avoid counterfeiting is to buy Xiaomi in official stores:
Official website of Xiaomi Russia.
- Branded stores in shopping centers (list on the Xiaomi Store page).
Authorized resellers: Svyaznoy, M. Video, Eldorado (but only if you have a Xiaomi warranty card).
If you buy from hand or on marketplaces (Avito, Yula, Ozon), you must:
1. Demand a photo. IMEI (on the phone and on the phone menu before we meet.
2. Check the device against the database of stolen phones on the IMEI.info website.
3. Examine the phone in daylight - fakes often give out poor-quality assembly.
4 Ask for a check or a warranty card, without which the device is not original, even if it looks similar.
You should be especially careful when buying on AliExpress or other Chinese sites, and even if the seller is highly rated, the risk of running into a fake remains.
Price: If it is 30-50% below the market, it is almost certainly fake.
Look for photos and videos of real customers, not standard comments like “Everything is good.”
Original Xiaomis for the global market are shipped from China, Hong Kong or Singapore, and if the goods come from Vietnam or India without an official warranty, it is suspicious.
💡
Buying a gray Xiaomi (without an official warranty in Russia) deprives you of the right to free repairs. Even if the device is original, service centers will refuse service without a Russian warranty card.
8 What to do if you have already bought a fake
If you find out after buying that your Xiaomi is a fake, then follow the algorithm:
- Collect evidence: - Photo and video of the device indicating the shortcomings. - Screenshots of correspondence with the seller (if you bought online). - Check or payment order.
- Contact the seller: - On marketplaces (Ozon, Wildberries) use the button "Return the goods." - When buying from hand, write to the seller demanding to return the money, threatening to contact the police.
- File a complaint: - On marketplaces - through the support service. - On Avito / Yule - through a form of deception. - To the police (under article 159 of the criminal code of the Russian Federation "Fraud"), if the seller refuses to return the money.
If the seller has disappeared or refuses to contact:
Leave a negative review on all the sites where he sells goods.
- Please contact Xiaomi to add support IMEI Blacklisted counterfeits (this will help other buyers).
Check your device for spyware with Kaspersky Mobile Antivirus or Malwarebytes.
Note that fake Xiaomis often fail to be certified by Roskomnadzor and the FSB, making their use illegal in Russia, and in theory, they can be fined (Article 13.6), although in practice, these are rare. However, if the device fails and causes damage (e.g., a battery explodes), you will not be able to claim compensation.