Xiaomi, a Chinese brand, has long gained popularity thanks to a combination of high quality and affordable prices. However, this popularity attracts fraudsters: according to Rospotrebnadzor, up to 15% of Xiaomi devices in the Russian market are fakes. Fake smartphones, headphones and smart watches not only work worse, but can also pose dangers, from exploding batteries to leaking personal data through spyware.
In this article, we’ll break down 10 reliable ways to distinguish the original Xiaomi from a fake, from checking the packaging to analyzing the firmware. You’ll learn what details to look for when buying from online stores (including Wildberries, Ozon and AliExpress), how to check out how to check out the package. IMEI The serial number and what hidden signs of counterfeiting are visible only after the device is turned on, POCO X5 Mi Band 8 is the most commonly counterfeited band.
1. Packaging check: 7 signs of forgery
The first thing that catches the eye is the box. Xiaomi's original packaging has strict standards that scammers often miss.Look at the box in bright light: the original is printed on dense cardboard with matte texture, and fakes often use glossy paper or a thin material that shines through.
Pay attention to:
- 📦 Logo: Originally, it's sharp, with even edges. Counterfeiters often have blurred contours or the wrong shade of orange (should be #FF6900 down RGB).
- 🔍 Barcode and serial number: The code sticker on the original is flatly glued, no bubbles. Counterfeiters often have curved stickers or repeating numbers.
- 📏 Box sizes: For example, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ original box is of size 165×80×35 mm. Deviation more than by 2 Mmm, a reason to be wary.
Another key point is the configuration. In the original box of the Xiaomi smartphone, there is always:
- 🔌 Charger (if provided by the model) with the Mi logo.
- 📶 Cable USB-C (for new models or Micro-USB (older) with Xiaomi marking.
- 📄 Warranty card with the stamp of the official distributor (for Russia – Xiaomi Russia or Mi Store).
⚠️ Attention: Counterfeiting is often equipped with cheap chargers without certificates, such devices can damage the battery or even cause a fire. CE or RoHS on a power adapter.
2. External inspection of the device: details that give off fake
Even if the packaging looks perfect, check out the device itself. Start with the case materials: Xiaomi's original smartphones (like the POCO F5 or Xiaomi 13T) have a matte back panel made of glass or soft-coated plastic. Counterfeiters often use cheap, glossy plastic that is quickly scratched.
Check the following elements:
- 🔦 Camera: Original models have a symmetrical, no gaps camera ledge. counterfeits often have crooked lenses or no infrared sensor (for example, in the Redmi Note 11 Pro).+).
- 🔊 Speakers and microphones: The original grille speakers have a fine perforation, and fakes have large holes or none (as in the fake Mi Band 7).
- 🔑 Buttons: The power and volume buttons on the original are clearly moving without backlash. Fakes often hang around or creak.
Pay special attention to the display. The original Xiaomi has a screen. AMOLED (in the Pro-series models) or IPS refreshable 90/120 Hz. Counterfeiting is often equipped with cheap TFT-To check, open the screen settings. → Update frequency: if options are available 90/120 Hz no, it's fake.
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Put a flashlight on the screen of the smartphone that's turned off. AMOLED-The display should not be backlit (black remains completely black.
3. IMEI and serial number check: step-by-step instruction
The most reliable way to detect a fake is to check the IMEI and serial number, which is unique to the original devices and is registered in the Xiaomi database.
- Find IMEI on the box (on the barcode sticker) or on your phone: go to Settings → About Phone → General Information → IMEI.
- Compare the numbers on the box and on the phone -- they should match. If they don't, it's 100% fake.
- Check IMEI on the official IMEI.info website or through Xiaomi service at new.c.mi.com/global/verify.
On Xiaomi, enter the serial number (which is where IMEI is) and the captcha. If the device is original, you will see the model, the date of production and the warranty status. If the error "Invalid S/N" or the model does not match the stated one, you will see a fake.
| Sign. | Original | Fake. |
|---|---|---|
| IMEI matching on the box and on the phone | ✅ Coincidence. | ❌ Not matched or absent |
| Check result on Xiaomi website | ✅ Shows model and date | ❌ Mistake or wrong model |
| Serial number. | ✅ 15-16 symbols, starting with letters | ❌ Short, only numbers or repeating characters |
| IMEI sticker | ✅ Sticked exactly, no bubbles. | ❌ Curved, moving away. |
⚠️ Warning: Fraudsters sometimes fake and check sites IMEI. Always use official resources: new.c.mi.com or imei.info. Do not enter data on suspicious sites - this can lead to identity theft.
Analysis of firmware and software: how to detect a fake system
Even if the device looks like the original, the firmware will betray the fakes, which often run on custom (home-made) versions of Android or outdated MIUI builds.
- Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version. Original devices have a version that matches the model. For example, Redmi Note 12 has the latest firmware, MIUI 14, which is based on Android 13. If you see Android 10 or older, it's a fake.
- Check for branded apps: Mi Home, Mi Community, GetApps. In fakes, they are often replaced with analogues from Google Play.
- Run the performance test using ##4636## (entered as phone number). The phone information section should show the correct CPU model (e.g., Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 for POCO F5).
Another way to check for updates is to check: Xiaomi's original devices get monthly security patches. Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update. If the last update is from a year ago or the system says "Updates are not available" - that's fake.
See the version. MIUI Android|Check for the availability of branded applications|Run the test ##4636##|Try to update the system|Compare data with the official website-->
5. Testing of camera and sensors: what should alert
The camera is one of the hardest parts to fake, and the original Xiaomis use Sony IMX or Samsung ISOCELL proprietary modules, and the fakes are cheap Chinese counterparts.
- 📸 Resolution: Take a photo on the main camera and check EXIF-data (via the annex) EXIF If the actual resolution is lower than the stated one (e.g. 8 MP instead of 108 MP), it is a fake.
- 🔦 Night shooting: Turn on Night Mode and take a picture in the dark. The original Xiaomi will show a clear image, and fakes will give a noisy porridge".
- 🎯 Autofocus: Point the camera at a nearby object (5-10 The original focus will be on 1-2 A fake will catch a trick for a long time or not at all.
Also check the sensors:
- 🧲 Magnetic sensor (compass): Open the Compass app. If the arrow twitches chaotically or does not react to metal, the sensor is fake.
- 🌡️ Approximation Sensor: During the call, raise your hand to the top of the screen. The original will turn off the screen, the fake will not.
- 🔦 Infrared port (if any): Try to control the TV through Mi Remote. in fake IR port often does not work.
How do I check the light sensor?
6.Battery and Charging Check: Why It Matters
Not only do fake batteries sit down quickly, they can swell or ignite.The original Xiaomi batteries are labeled with the serial number and Mi logo. Here's how to check them:
- 🔋 Capacity: Install the AccuBattery app and completely discharge/charge your phone. If the actual capacity is less than 10% less than the declared capacity, it is a fake.
- ⚡ Charging speed: Connect the original charger. e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro+ should be charged 50% post 15 minutes (technology) 120W Fast Charge.Fakes are charged in 2-3 slower.
- 🌡️ Heating: During charging, the original heats up moderately, and the fake can get hot (over 45).°C).
Also check the charging connector:
- The original Xiaomi USB-C connector (or Micro-USB in older models) has a metal frame and sits tightly in the socket.
- For fakes, the connector is often luftite, and the contacts quickly oxidize (a green coating appears).
⚠️ Warning: If the phone shows "Charging suspended" or knocks out an error "Incompatible adapter" - this is a sign of a fake charger or battery!
7.Checking Xiaomi smart watches and headphones
Not only are smartphones faked, but accessories are also faked: Mi Band, Xiaomi Watch, Redmi Buds.
For smart watches Mi Band 8 or Xiaomi Watch S3:
- 📦 The package must have a hologram with the Mi logo, which changes color when tilted.
- 🔋 The battery keeps the charge at least. 5 days (for fakes — 1-2 day-day).
- 📱 Mi Fitness or Zepp Life must recognize the device automatically.
For headphones Redmi Buds 4 or Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro:
- 🎧 The headphone case should be made of matte plastic with soft silicone embroideries. Counterfeit products often have a glossy surface and hard nozzles.
- 🔊 The sound of the original is balanced, with clear high frequencies, the fakes have bass booze, and the voices sound muffled.
- 📲 In Bluetooth settings, the device name must match the model (e.g., "Redmi Buds 4" rather than "Wireless Earbuds").
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The original Xiaomi headphones always come with spare earbuds (2-3 pairs), either not in the fakes, or they are the same size.
8.Where to buy Xiaomi, so as not to run into a fake?
The most reliable way to avoid counterfeiting is to buy in official stores:
- 🏬 Mi Store (official branded stores in the shopping center).
- 🌍 Official website mi.com/ru.
- 📦 Authorized resellers: Svyaznoy, M. Video, Eldorado (check the availability of the certificate in the window).
If you buy on marketplaces (Wildberries, Ozon, AliExpress), follow the rules:
- 🛡️ Choose sellers with a rating of at least 4.9 and reviews over 6 months.
- 📄 Request a photo of the package with the serial number before payment.
- 💳 Pay only after checking the goods (on AliExpress use the option "Delivery with verification").
Avoid hand-held purchases (on Avito, Yule) — even if the seller shows checks, they are easy to forge. According to Roskoshestvo, up to 40% of smartphones sold “hand-held” are fake or recovered after serious breakdowns.
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Official dealers of Xiaomi in Russia are required to provide a warranty of at least 12 months, if the seller refuses to give a warranty card - you are either a fake or a "gray" import.