The mobile market is oversupplied, and the popularity of the Xiaomi brand has led to an explosion in counterfeit products. Shoppers, seeking to save money or stumbling upon an unscrupulous seller, often find themselves with low-quality copies. These devices not only do not meet the declared characteristics, but can also pose a potential threat to the security of your data.
Visually identifying fakes is becoming more difficult as replica manufacturers have learned to copy designs and logos almost perfectly. However, software shell, build quality and unique identifiers remain a weak spot for fraudsters. In this article, we will examine all available verification methods to help you avoid buying a cat in a bag.
Ignoring a device's inspection when you buy can lead to financial losses and inability to obtain warranty service. Modern diagnostic methods can detect fakes in minutes if you know where to look. Let's take a closer look at each step of the inspection.
Visual inspection of the body and the quality of the assembly
The first thing that catches your eye when you look at the device is its appearance. Xiaomi's original smartphones are famous for their neat build, where the gaps between parts are minimal and uniform throughout the perimeter. Fakes often show protruding glue, uneven seams or backlash buttons, which immediately betrays poor production quality.
Pay special attention to the logos and inscriptions on the back. On original models such as the Redmi Note or Poco, the Mi or Xiaomi logo is clearly marked, blurred, and always placed strictly in the center or according to the design decision of a particular model. Copies are often sinned by a misaligned logo or the use of fonts that only vaguely resemble the original.
⚠️ WARNING: If you see a sticker on the back with specifications pasted over the logo, or strange inscriptions like “Designed by Xiaomi” with grammatical errors – this is a complete fake.
Material quality is also important. Originals use tempered glass, quality plastic or metal with a pleasant to the touch texture. Cheap copies are often made of glossy plastic that is instantly covered with fingerprints and looks cheap. Check also charging ports and speakers — in the original they always have the right geometric shape and symmetrical arrangement.
Analysis of the operating system and MIUI interface
The software part is the weakest point of any fake. The operating system on copies is usually a heavily modified and stripped-down version of Android, only stylized as MIUI. When you first turn on, the original smartphone will suggest choosing a language and connecting to Wi-Fi, while on fakes this stage may be missed or look unnatural.
Go to the settings menu and find the About Phone section, and there's a lot of important data hidden here, and you'll see the MIUI logo, the exact Android version, and the build number in the original settings, and if you try to click on the MIUI version several times, it will start animations with the system logo (the Android version, the MIUI logo, the Xiaomi logo), which will either change nothing or open the standard Android menu.
The application menu interface can also be faked: In the original shell, all icons have the same style, and system applications (camera, gallery, explorer) have functionality that corresponds to the stated functionality.
Secrets of the Engineering Menu
Verification of the unique IMEI code and serial number
Every legal mobile device has a unique identifier. IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity: This number is assigned by the manufacturer and entered in global databases, on the smartphone box, in the system settings (About the phone) and on the phone itself. SIM-card (if it is not removable) this number must be the same.
To check, type *#06# on the phone keyboard. The screen will display one or two. IMEI-Compare them to the ones on the box and the system menu, if the numbers are different or zeros are displayed instead of numbers, you are a fake number, and you can check this number on the official Xiaomi website or through specialized verification services. IMEI.
| Place of inspection | Where to find | What should be. |
|---|---|---|
| On the box. | Sticker on the back | Barcode and IMEI numbers |
| In the system | Settings → About the phone | Digital IMEI code |
| Team team. | Dial *#06# | A pop-up with a code |
| Under the battery. | On the body (if removed) | Laser-coded code |
It is important to understand that fraudsters can use cloned» IMEI-So the matching of the number on the box and the phone is a necessary but not sufficient indication. IMEI It was released 5 years ago, and you hold in your hands the “new” is a clear sign of forgery.
Diagnostics through the Mi Verification app
One of the most reliable ways to verify authenticity is to use the official Mi Verification app, which is built into most modern Xiaomi smartphones and allows you to automatically check the device on the company’s servers. To start, go to the Security menu and find the appropriate section.
The app scans the hardware and software against the reference data, and it takes a few minutes to connect to the Internet, and if the device is original, you'll see a green tick and a success message, and if it's a fake, the system will give you an error or report that the device is not found in the database.
☑️ Checklist checklist in Mi Verification
It’s worth noting that on some global firmware versions, the app can be hidden or removed, which can be downloaded from GetApps or used alternative diagnostic methods, but the lack of a built-in verification module on the Chinese version of the smartphone is a cause for concern.
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Tip: Before buying a used device, be sure to reset it to factory settings. On fakes, after reset, the left-hand firmware often flies off and a standard Android appears.
Comparison of technical characteristics and performance
The claimed specs on the fake box often have nothing to do with reality: Scammers can write about the Snapdragon processor and 8 GB of RAM when a cheap entry-level MediaTek chipset and 1 GB of RAM are installed inside.
Set a benchmark, for example, AnTuTu or CPU-Z. These utilities will show the exact name of the processor, the number of cores, the actual screen resolution and memory. If the description claims 128 GB of memory and the program shows 16 GB, you are being deceived. Also pay attention to the screen resolution: counterfeits often have a pixel density well below the stated.
⚠️ Warning: Counterfeit cameras are often one working lens and dummy. Check if all lenses are working by switching between them in Pro mode or through third-party camera apps.
Performance is another critical parameter. Xiaomi's flagship models work quickly and smoothly. If a smartphone "slows down" even on a simple menu, opens apps for a long time or heats up under light load, this is a sure sign of using old and cheap hardware.
Packaging and packaging of the device
Xiaomi's original packaging is made of dense cardboard with a clear, bright print. The box should not be easily crumpled or have blurred images. Inside, the device is securely fixed, and all accessories are neatly laid out in their places. Counterfeits often feature cheap thin cardboard and faded colors.
Pay attention to the charger and the cable. The original power supplies are CE-marked, manufacturer information and protective plugs. The USB cable must be of high quality, with the "Mi" logo on the plug (not all models, but often), cheap plastic, chemical smell and no protective films on the contacts are signs of a low-quality copy.
The kit may also include a protective cover and a clip for extraction SIM-The original case is usually translucent, matte and sits tightly on the case, and copies are often equipped with unpleasant-smelling rubber covers that fit poorly on the faces of the phone and interfere with access to ports.
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Comprehensive inspection, including inspection, software and code reconciliation, gives a 100% guarantee of detecting counterfeits.
Where to buy to avoid risk
The most reliable way to avoid buying counterfeit goods is to purchase equipment from official stores or authorized partners. Large chain retailers value their reputation and will not contact suppliers of “gray” goods. Buying in markets or from individuals on bulletin boards always carries increased risks.
If you order a smartphone from abroad, read reviews about the seller carefully. Pay attention to the rating of the store and the number of goods sold. Low price is the main magnet for fraud. If the cost of a new flagship is suspiciously low, it almost always means that you are offered either a restored device or an outright fake.
Verification of the seller also includes the study of the terms of the guarantee: official dealers provide a warranty card with the stamp of the store; the absence of a document or the offer of a "guarantee from the seller" without specifying the service centers should alert the buyer. Remember that the stingy pays twice, and savings of 20-30% can lead to a complete loss of money.