How to distinguish the original Xiaomi from a fake: a complete guide with photos and videos

Buying a Xiaomi smartphone at an attractive price is a dream for many, but the risk of running into a fake makes that dream a nightmare. According to Customs Union, up to 15% of Xiaomi devices in the secondary market are counterfeit, and in online stores this figure reaches 30%.

This article is not just a list of features, but a step-by-step detective that looks at every step of the check, from visual inspection of the box to analysis of the firmware through the engineering menu. We have collected unique methods that you will not find in standard instructions, including checking through official Xiaomi services and hardware tests. Even if you have never held a smartphone of this brand, after reading you can distinguish the original from the copy with a probability of 99%.

1. Packaging check: 7 parts that give out a fake

The box is the first and most obvious indicator. Counterfeit manufacturers often save on packaging, but copy it so accurately that only a specialist will notice the difference. Note the material: the original Xiaomi boxes are made of dense cardboard with a matte coating that does not reflect light. Counterfeits are usually glossy or rough to the touch.

The most reliable way to compare barcodes is to compare them, and on the original packaging they are laser-painted and have clear boundaries, whereas on the copies you often see blurred edges or uneven printing.

• 📦 Serial number on the sticker: must match the number in the Settings menu → Phone and battery.
• 🔍 Mi logo: on the original it is convex, with clear faces; on the fake - flat or lubricated.
• 📏 Box sizes: original Redmi Note 12 boxes are 3.2cm thick, fakes are often thinner (2.8–3.0cm).
• 🖼️ Print quality: on copies, the photos of the smartphone on the box can be pixelated or with incorrect colors.

And you pay special attention to the protective film, which is applied smoothly on the original devices, without bubbles, and has the Xiaomi logo in one corner, and the fakes often come with cheap film that peels off every other day.

2. Visual inspection of the smartphone: what should alert

Externally, fake Xiaomi copy the design of the originals, but there are 5 key differences that give counterfeit:

1. Camera: On the original models (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro), the camera lenses have a metal frame, whereas on the fakes it is plastic and scratches quickly.
2. Buttons: The volume and power buttons on copies often squeak or creak when pressed. The originals are clear-cut without any extraneous sounds.
3. Display: Hold the phone to the light at an angle of 45°. On the original. AMOLED-screens (Redmi) K60, POCO F5) You can not see the "moir" (wavy stripes), while on copies it manifests itself even at a minimum brightness.
4. Logo: On the back of the original smartphones, the Mi or Xiaomi logo is laser-engraved and not erased with alcohol.
5. Weight: The original smartphones weigh 10-15 grams more because of the metal frame. For example, the Xiaomi 12T weighs 202 grams, and its copy is 185-190 g.

Another test is to test the pressure of the display, and you can press the center of the screen of the original Xiaomi, which should not bend. Counterfeiters often use cheap ones. OGS-One Glass Solution, which “plays” when pressed.

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If a vendor refuses to show a phone without a cover or protective film, that's a reason to question the originality, and fakes often mask the build defects with accessories.

3. IMEI and serial number check: official Xiaomi services

Each original Xiaomi smartphone has a unique IMEI (15 digits) and serial number (S/N, 11-14 characters).

1. Mi Verify: Enter IMEI or S/N in the verification field. The original device will display the model, production date and warranty status.
2. Mi Check app: download it from Google Play (Android only). app scans QR-code on a box or enter data manually.
3. *#06#: Dial it in the phone app and IMEI will appear on the screen, which should match the number on the box and under the battery.

⚠️ Note: If you check the Mi Verify website with a message saying “This device cannot be verified”, it means that IMEI cloned or not original, and check to see if IMEI The box and the phone matched to the last digit – fakes often differ in 1-2 characters.

Firmware and software analysis: how to identify "left-handed" software

Counterfeiting often comes with custom firmware that mimics MIUI but contains malicious code. Check the following settings:

• 📱 Version. MIUI: Go to Settings. → The original devices have a version of the form. MIUI 14.0.5.0 (SKUCNXM), where: 14.0.5.0 — firmware; SKU — code; CN/XM — region (China/Global version) on fakes, version may look like MIUI 9.5.2.0 (obsolete) or misprint (MUI14).
• 🔧 Engineering menu: type ##4636##. The original devices will display a tabbed menu with phone information, battery usage, etc. This menu is either missing or contains Chinese characters.
• 🔍 Hidden applications: install App Inspector and check the list of system applications. Fakes are common: com.android.fakeinstaller; cn.xiaomi.fakemiui; apps with Chinese names.

Another test is to check for updates. Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update. Original devices offer updates through official Xiaomi servers (the address contains update.miui.com), or fakes are either not updated or download files from suspicious domains (for example, miui-roms.ru).

5. Testing of hardware components: camera, battery, sensors

Counterfeiting saves on hardware, so they can be calculated through special tests:

1. Camera: take a photo at maximum resolution and zoom in on your PC. Xiaomi's original smartphones (like the Xiaomi 13 Ultra) retain details even at 200% magnification, while copies show a lot of noise or artifacts. EXIF-Photos: The original images contain Xiaomi tags and MIUI.
2. Battery: Install the AccuBattery app and check the capacity. If it differs from the declared capacity by more than 10% (for example, 4500 mAh instead of 5000 mAh), it is a fake.
3. Sensors: Use Sensor Box for testing: Gyroscope: original devices show smooth movements, copies show jerks. Sensor: for fakes, it may work with delay or not at all. NFC: the original Xiaomi supports contactless payment (Google Pay), counterfeits - no.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone is over 45 when charging°C (checked through CPU-Z), This is a sign of a cheap charging controller -- a typical counterfeit problem.

Verification through official channels: service centres and documentation

If you have any doubts, refer to official sources:

• 📄 Warranty card: Original devices come with a coupon on Xiaomi letterhead, which lists the serial number, date of sale and store stamp. Counterfeit products often have printed-out "guarantees" without watermarks.
• 🏢 Service centers: find the nearest official Xiaomi SC and ask to check the device IMEI. It is free and takes 5-10 minutes.
• 📋 Check and documents: Original smartphones are sold with a check, where the model name is indicated (for example, Redmi Note). 12 Pro 5G 8/256GB); IMEI; Seller's data (for official stores - Xiaomi Retail LLC) Counterfeiting is often sold with checks from the IP or without specifying the model.

You can also use Xiaomi's support chatbot on Telegram (@XiaomiSupportBot). Send it a photo of the box, IMEI and serial number, and the bot will check them in the database.

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If the seller refuses to provide a check or warranty card, it is a sure sign of forgery. Xiaomi's official dealers always issue a full set of documents.

7.Price and place of purchase: how not to run into scammers

The easiest way to avoid counterfeiting is to buy in official stores:

• Mi Store (online and offline);
• Authorized resellers (for example, Svyaznoy, M. Video marked "Official Partner Xiaomi").

The price of the original Xiaomi smartphone cannot be lower than the market by more than 20%. 13T officially worth $50,000 ₽, That's the price of 30,000. ₽ — suspect.

Beware of sellers who:

• request payment in cash or transfer to the card;
• refuse to show the device before payment;
• The phone was “brought from China” without documentation.

Fakes are often disguised as “sales”, “liquidation” or “gifts”.

⚠️ Note: on AliExpress and similar sites, the original Xiaomi smartphones are sold only in official stores (marked Xiaomi Official Store.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions