How to distinguish the original Xiaomi Mi Band 4 from a fake: 10 proven ways

The Xiaomi Mi Band 4 fitness bracelet remains one of the most popular activity-tracking gadgets, despite the release of new models. Its affordable price and functionality attract millions of users - but this makes the device a tasty target for scammers. According to AliExpress and Wildberries, up to 30% of the Mi Band 4 bracelets on the market are fakes that are almost indistinguishable from the original, but work at times worse: quickly discharge, give out incorrect pulse data and even can harm the skin.

In this article, we will examine the 10 key features that distinguish the original Mi Band 4 from copy, from packaging inspection to firmware analysis and sensors, what details counterfeit manufacturers miss, how to recognize a fake QR- code, and why even a box can give out counterfeit, and at the end, an interactive checklist for quick check before buying.

1.Packaging: 5 parts that give off a fake

The original Mi Band 4 box is not just cardboard, but a well-thought-out brand element with anti-counterfeit protection. Fraudsters often save on packaging, so checking it can save you from buying fake even before unpacking.

First, pay attention to the quality of the print: the original has clear, blurry edges, and the colors are juicy (especially the shade of orange on the Xiaomi logo - fakes often have dull or dirty). Second, check the serial number on the sticker: it must match the number on the bracelet and in the Mi Fit application. If the sticker is easily ripped off or the number is erased, you have 100% fake.

• 📦 Xiaomi logo: the original it is convex (you can feel your fingers), the copies - flat or printed.
• 🔍 Barcode: must be scanned and led to the official Xiaomi website (check through the Barcode Scanner app).
• 📏 Box sizes: original - 10.5 × 6.5 × 2.5 see Counterfeiting is often thinner or narrower.
• 🖼️ Packaging photo: The original bracelet is shown with a AMOLED- screen (black background, bright colors), the copies with a dim TFT- display.
• 🔖 Inscriptions in Chinese: The original box has them (even if the bracelet is for the European market).

And pay special attention to the film on the box, and the original film is matte, with the Xiaomi logo and the words "Original" on it, and you can't take it off neatly without damage, and the fakes have either glossy or no film at all.

Bracelet and strap: materials and assembly

Fake Mi Band 4s often come out with poor builds. Take the bracelet in hand: the original weighs 22.1 grams (with a strap), and copies are usually 3-5 grams lighter due to cheap materials.

• 🔗 The strap clasp: the original one is metal, with a clear click when fastened. The fake one is plastic, often breaks after a week of socks.
• 🧴 Strap material: The original strap of TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) is soft, not sticking to the skin. It's made from hard silicone, which causes irritation.
• 🔍 The strap seams: the original one has neat, barely visible, and the replicas have rough, sticking out threads.

Another test is the flexibility of the capsule. The original Mi Band 4 bends slightly when pressed on the screen (due to the flexible AMOLED- display), while the fakes with the TFT- screens remain rigid. Also, flash a flashlight on the screen: the original black is deep, the copies are grayish.

⚠️ Warning: If the strap has a strong chemical smell, it's a sign of toxic silicone, which can cause allergies or dermatitis.

3. Screen and interface: how fake software gives

The main difference between the original Mi Band 4 is its AMOLED- display with a resolution of 120×240 pixels. Counterfeiters often have a cheap TFT- screen with a resolution of 80×160, which is immediately striking:

• 🎨 Colors: original color is rich, black is deep, copies are dull, gray instead of black.
• 🔄 Viewing angles: The original screen is visible from any angle, and the fakes have a fading image when tilted.
• ☀️ Brightness: The original has 5 brightness levels (maximum 400 nits), copies are usually 3 levels (max. 200 nits).

Also check the animation when you turn it on. The original Mi Band 4 shows the Mi logo with smooth animations, and the fakes either give a static image or the words "Smart Band." Another test is swipe down to check for notifications: the original one is smooth, the copies twitch.

4.Mi Fit firmware and app: hidden markers

Even if the fake is indistinguishable, it is given by firmware.The original Mi Band 4 only works with the official Mi Fit app (or Zepp Life for newer versions), and copies often require the installation of suspicious APK- files.

The first thing to do is to try connecting the bracelet to the Mi Fit:

1. Download Mi Fit from Google Play or App Store.
2. Register (required via phone number, not mail, this reduces the risk of errors).
3. Click "Add device" → "Breasure" → "Mi Smart Band 4".

If the bracelet is not located or the app gives an error "Device is not supported" - you have a fake. Also check the firmware version in the bracelet settings (path: Profile → Mi Smart Band 4 → firmware version). Original version 1.0.9.54 or higher, copies have random numbers like V12.34.56.

⚠️ Attention! Some fakes mimic the connection to Mi Fit, but they don't sync the data. Check that if steps, pulse, or sleep aren't displayed in the app, it's fake.

5. Sensors: How to check pulse, steps and SpO2

The original Mi Band 4 features an optical heart rate sensor (PPG), an accelerometer and a gyroscope, and is slimmed down on sensors, so it's either inaccurate or nonexistent.

Pulse sensor test:

1. Put the bracelet on your wrist (tighten the strap, but don't squeeze).
2. Run the pulse measurement through the bracelet menu.
3. Compare the result with data from another device (for example, a smartphone with a pulse sensor).

If the difference is greater than ±10 beats per minute, it is a fake, and the original takes a pulse in 10-15 seconds, and the copies instantly (and often show the same value, for example, 72 or 80).

Pedometer test:

• 👟 Walk exactly 100 steps (measured on a flat surface).
• 📊 Check the meter on the bracelet and in the Mi Fit.
• ✅ The original will show 98-102 steps, a fake 50-150 or a random number.

SpO2 (oxygen saturation) test:

The original Mi Band 4 measures SpO2 in 30-40 seconds, and the result is in the range of 95-100% for a healthy person.Fakes either do not have this function, or show a value in 2-3 seconds (often 98% or 100% regardless of the real state).

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If the bracelet gives you the same heart rate (for example, always 72) or SpO2 (always 98%), even when you're running or sleeping, that's a sure sign of a fake.

6 QR- Code and serial number: how to verify authenticity

Each original Xiaomi Mi Band 4 has a unique serial number and QR- code, which can be checked through official services.

1. Find the serial number: On the box (barcode sticker). On the bracelet itself (under the capsule, you need to remove the strap). In the Mi Fit app (Profile → Mi Smart Band 4 → Device Information).

Check out the QR- code

• Scan the code from a box or bracelet (use Google Lens or Barcode Scanner).
• The original code leads to the https://www.mi.com/global/verify page with the device data.
• The fake code leads to random sites (such as AliExpress or non-existent pages).
• Check the serial number on Xiaomi's website: 1. Go to https://www.mi.com/global/verify 2. Enter the serial number from the box. 3. If the device is original, the site will show the model (Mi Smart Band 4) and the status "Authentic".

If the serial number on the box and bracelet is not the same, it is a fake. Also note the format of the number: the original is MIBAND4XXXXXXXX (12 characters), copies often have random sets of numbers and letters.

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The only reliable way to verify authenticity is through Xiaomi’s official website, and no third-party services (like IMEI checks) for the Mi Band are working!

7. Charging and battery: how fakes save on battery

The original Mi Band 4 is equipped with a 135 mAh battery that holds up to 20 days of charge with moderate use. Counterfeit saves on battery life by installing 80-100 mAh batteries that discharge in 2-3 days.

How to check:

• ⚡ Charging time: the original charges in 1.5-2 hours, fakes in 30-40 minutes (due to the small battery).
• 🔋 Capacity: If the bracelet discharges in 1-2 days with standard use, it is a fake.
• 🔌 Charging cable: the original has magnetic contacts, with clear fixation. Copies often have poor contact, the bracelet falls off the charge.

Another test is charging indication: the original Mi Band 4 shows the percentage of charge on the screen while charging, and the fakes either show nothing or display a static battery without interest.

⚠️ Warning! If the bracelet warms while charging, it's a dangerous sign! Xiaomi's original devices don't heat above 35°C when charging. Counterfeiting can overheat and even ignite.

8 Price and place of purchase: how not to run into a fake

One of the most reliable ways to avoid counterfeiting is to buy the Mi Band 4 from official stores. The average price of the original bracelet (2026) is 1,500-2,200 ₽ depending on the color. If you see a price below 1,200 ₽, it's almost guaranteed to be a fake.

Where to buy safely:

• 🏪 Official Xiaomi store (mi.com or branded stores in the mall).
• 🛒 Major authentication marketplaces: Wildberries (seller of "Xiaomi Russia"), Ozon (official store), SberMegaMarket.
• 🌍 AliExpress – only sellers with a rating of 98%+ and a mark of “Top Brand” (but there is a risk of counterfeiting anyway!).

Where NOT to buy:

• 🚫 Yula /Avito — 90% of ads with Mi Band 4 are fakes.
• 🚫 Small online stores with suspiciously low prices.
• 🚫 Social networks (VK, Telegram) – even if the seller shows “checks” and “certificates”.

If you buy from hand, be sure to demand:

1. Check from the official store (check it through the seller's website).
2. Check the serial number at mi.com/global/verify.
3. Mi Fit connection test and data synchronization.

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Even if the seller shows a “quality certificate” – it is not a guarantee of authenticity. official certificates Xiaomi have a unique number and are verified on the manufacturer’s website.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Mi Band 4