Xiaomi AirDots wireless headphones (including Pro, Pro 2, 3, SE) remain among the brand’s most popular gadgets — and at the same time the most counterfeited. According to AliExpress Research 2023, up to 40% of products labeled “original” on marketplaces turn out to be replicas or frankens (a mixture of original and fake components), while the price difference between real headphones and a copy can be as high as 5-7 times — and the quality of sound, operating time and safety (especially for models with Bluetooth 5.2+) is disparate.
This article isn’t about “internet tips” like “look at the box” — we’ll look at the technical, software and physical techniques that Xiaomi service centers and electronics experts use, learn how to check headphones before purchase (by photo and description), when you get them (visually and tactilely), and after you connect (through hidden menus and tests), and also why some “originals” are actually restored headphones from service centers in China, sold as new ones.
1.Packaging check: 7 parts that are the worst forged
The box is the first filter, but it's not the most reliable one. Fake manufacturers have learned to copy the design of the package with 95% accuracy, but there are nuances that fakes give off:
- 📦 Barcode and serial number: The original box has a laser barcode (not a seal!) and a relief structure.The serial number (usually scratch code) must match the number on the headphones and in the Mi Home app. Counterfeiters often use the same number for all boxes.
- 🖼️ Xiaomi logo: The original logo on the box is matte and slightly recessed in cardboard. The copies are glossy or convex. Also check the distance between the letters "MI" — on fakes, it is often uneven.
- 🔍 Hologram: The real hologram changes color when tilted (from green to blue) and contains microtext "XIAOMI" and "ORIGINAL", Fake holograms are usually monochromatic or blurry.
And you'll pay special attention to the factory film, which on the original AirDots Pro 2 and later has perforations around the edges and the Mi logo in the corner, and fakes often wrap the box in a regular transparent film without embossing.
⚠️ Warning: Some sellers replace the original box with a fake one after opening.If headphones are sold without factory packaging (for example, "open but new"), request a video with a serial number check via Mi Home.
2. Physical differences: weight, materials and hidden marks
Even if the packaging is perfect, the headphones can be fake.
| Parameter | Original | Fake. |
|---|---|---|
| The weight of one earpiece | 4.1 g (±0.1 g) | 3.5–5 g (often lighter or heavier) |
| Case material | Matte soft-coated plastic | Glossy or rough plastic |
| Clearance between parts of the shell | Missing or minimal | Visible gaps, uneven seams |
| Charge indicator | LED is bright, uniform | Dull, with "blurred" glow |
| Charging contacts | Golden, straight. | Copper or scratched |
Notice the inside of the headphones. On the original AirDots 3 Pro and SE, under the speaker grid, there's a microscopic "XIAOMI" label that's visible under the magnifier. The fakes don't have it or it's smeared.
Check the weight on the jewelry scales|Look at the body seams in the light.|Rub the case – the original leaves no traces on your hands|Compare the color of the indicator with the photo of the official website-->
Another test is to test magnets, and in the original headphones, magnets hold them in a case with a clear click, and fakes often use weak magnets (earphones fall out when shaken) or even plastic latches.
3. Software Verification: Hidden Menus and Bluetooth Tests
The most reliable way is to connect your headphones to your smartphone and check them through hidden system menus and specialized applications.
- Check the model in Bluetooth settings: On Android: go to Settings → Bluetooth, find the AirDots connected, and click on the gear next to the name. The Device Model section should have the exact name (e.g., TWS Earphone 2 Pro for AirDots Pro 2). Counterfeits often show generic names like "Bluetooth Headset."
- Codec Test: Install the Bluetooth Codec Info (Android) or Bluetooth Explorer (iOS) app. The original AirDots support the AAC codec and (for Pro models) aptX. Counterfeiting usually only works with SBCs - this is noticeable for the worse sound quality.
- Checking through Mi Home: In the Mi Home app (Devices → Add) the original headphones are automatically identified with the exact model, and the fakes are either not identified or displayed as "Unknown device".
💡
If the headphones are not determined in Mi Home, try resetting them to factory settings: press the button on the case for 15 seconds until the indicator flashes red 3 times.
For advanced users: connect headphones to a PC and check them out MAC-address via Bluetooth Settings (Windows) or command in the terminal (macOS/Linux):
hcitool dev
hcidump -XThe original Xiaomi AirDots MAC-address begins with 78:59:3E, F4:4E:FD or B8:D6:1A. Counterfeiting uses random addresses.
4. Sound and microphone test: how to hear the difference
Sound is what AirDots buy for, and here fakes lose catastrophically.
- 🎵 Frequency Test: Include a track with a wide range of frequencies (e.g., "Sweep Tone") 20Hz–20kHz" Original headphones transmit bass deep and uncontorted, high frequencies are clear, without hissing, fakes wheez at low and whistle at high.
- 🎤 Microphone test: Call another phone and compare voice recording. The original AirDots suppress noise (cVc 8.0 technology), and fakes transmit all interference.
- 🔊 Volume test: At maximum volume, the original headphones don't distort the sound. Counterfeiting starts to wheez as early as 70-80% of the volume.
For objective verification, use the Audio Test (Android/iOS) application and compare the results with the reference values for your model:
| Model | Frequency range (Hz) | Distortion (%) | Sensitivity (dB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| AirDots Pro 2 | 20–20000 | <0.5 | 98±3 |
| AirDots 3 Pro | 20–22000 | <0.3 | 102±3 |
| AirDots SE | 20–18000 | <0.8 | 95±3 |
Why do fakes make sound worse?
5. Case check: battery, indication and weight
The charge case is the second most important element after the headphones themselves.
- 🔋 Battery capacity: 300-500 mAh (indicated on the sticker inside). Counterfeiting often overstates this parameter (for example, write "1000 mAh"). You can check the real capacity through a tester or the AccuBattery application.
- 💡 Charge Indication: The original case has 4 LEDs (25 percent charge each) and the counterfeits save by installing 1-2 diodes or LED-ribbon.
- ⚖️ Case weight: The original case for AirDots Pro 2 weighs 35.5 g, for AirDots 3 - 37.2 g counterfeiting is usually easier by 5-10 g.
Also check out the Type-C connector. The original has a protective grille inside and the inscription "USB-C." For fakes, the connector is often microUSB (even if the box indicates Type-C!) or without protective elements.
⚠️ Note: Some fakes use original cases from Redmi AirDots (they are cheaper), but sell them as Mi AirDots Pro!
6. Verification through serial number and official services
The most reliable way is to check the serial number of the headphones through the official services of Xiaomi.
- Find the serial number: It is listed on the box (under the scratch code), on the sticker inside the case and on the headphones themselves (under the speaker grid).
- Check on Xiaomi's website: Go to the checkout page (works for 2020 and newer models). Enter the serial number and captcha. Original headphones will show with the production date and model. 💡If the site is making an error, "Invalid" SN" — You have 100% fake or restored headphones.
- Check with Mi Home: In the Mi Home app, go to the device profile. The original headphones show the serial number, firmware version and date of first connection. The fakes display only the model name.
If the serial number on the box and headphones doesn't match, or if Xiaomi doesn't recognize it, it's a guaranteed fake or a service headphone sold as new, and these devices often have problems with synchronization and time.
7. Where to buy so as not to run into a fake?
Even in official stores, counterfeits are common (especially on marketplaces like Wildberries or Ozon).
- 🏬 Xiaomi's official stores: Mi Store, Mi.com, authorized resellers (listed on Xiaomi website.
- 🛒 Major retailers: Svyaznoy, M. Video, Eldorado - if you buy in a physical store, request verification through Mi Home with you.
- 🌍 Foreign stores: AliExpress (only with sellers with a rating of 98%+ Banggood (look for "Original Xiaomi"), and avoid offers labeled "Global Version" from unknown vendors.
The price of the original Xiaomi AirDots (2026):
- AirDots 3: 3 500–4 500 ₽
- AirDots Pro 2: 5 000–6 500 ₽
- AirDots SE: 2 500–3 200 ₽
If the price is lower by 30% or more, it is a fake or used device, and beware of sellers who ask for payment “on card” or through unverified payment systems.