How to distinguish Xiaomi phones: series, models and fakes

The modern smartphone market is saturated with devices, and the Chinese giant Xiaomi occupies one of the leading positions here. Consumers often find it difficult to navigate the endless stream of new products, because the company produces dozens of models annually under different brands. The question of how to distinguish Xiaomi phones from each other becomes especially relevant when choosing a gadget, since seemingly similar devices can vary dramatically in filling.

Confusion arises not only because of the similarity of the design, but also because of the complex naming system that includes the Mi, Redmi, POCO and Black Shark series. In addition, there are a huge number of replicas that visually copy popular models. Understanding the markings and key features of each line will help you avoid buying the wrong device or outright fake.

In this article, we will explore the architecture of the model range, learn how to read the codes of manufacturers and identify fakes from small details, you will learn why two phones with the same name can have different performance and for what purposes different series were created, this knowledge is necessary for anyone who plans to upgrade their gadget.

Separation of brands: Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO

The first thing a newcomer needs to learn is to split the ecosystem into three main areas: For a long time, Redmi was just a line of budget smartphones within the Xiaomi brand, but in 2019 the company singled it out as a separate sub-brand, which allowed for a split audience: flagship technology remained with the main brand, and Redmi focused on accessibility.

The third player is the POCO brand, which was originally positioned as a manufacturer of devices with the highest price-performance ratio. Often, POCO models are global renamed versions of Redmi or Xiaomi phones, but with changed specs. Understanding this triad is the key to choosing the right one.

• 📱 Xiaomi (Mi) – premium segment, advanced cameras, best screens and body materials.
• 💰 Redmi – mass market, price-quality balance, emphasis on autonomy and functionality.
• 🚀 POCO — Game focus, powerful processors in compromises in other areas.

⚠️ Attention: When buying a phone POCO Check the specifications carefully with the original Redmi model, as the global version may have lower quality components, such as a screen or module. NFC.

Each brand has its own design philosophy and software shell. If you care about status and advanced photo capabilities, you should look at the flagships of the main brand. For everyday tasks and budget savings, Redmi devices are better suited. Gamers often choose POCO for overclocking and powerful cooling.

Decoding of model numbers and codes

Each device that leaves the assembly line is assigned a unique identification code, which is how you can tell exactly what makes one model different from another, even if their marketing names are similar, and codes usually start with a prefix that indicates the manufacturer, such as 2107113SG or M2007J17G.

To find out the exact code of your device or potential purchase, you can use system commands. Open the Phone app and type *#06#. The screen will display IMEI and device model. You can also find this information in the Settings menu → About phone → All specifications.

Let's take the code structure as an example. The letters at the end often point to the region: G - Global (Global), I - India (India), C - China (China). Global versions usually have an unlocked bootloader and support for all frequencies, which is critical for use in Europe and the CIS.

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Always check the region letter at the end of the model number when ordering from Chinese stores.The Chinese (CN) versions may not support the LTE bands you need (Band 7, Band 20), which will lead to poor network reception.

Knowing the codes helps distinguish the real flagship from its simplified version. Often manufacturers release "Lite" or "SE" versions that are superficially identical to the top models, but have code pointing to a different platform.

Visual differences and build quality

One of the most reliable ways to distinguish the original Xiaomi phone from a fake or low-quality copy is to carefully inspect the case. Original devices, even budget ones, are assembled with minimal gaps. Plastic or glass should fit tightly to the frame, not make creaks when compressed lightly.

Look at logos. On the original devices, MI or Xiaomi is clearly marked, flat and not erased with your finger. In cheap copies, the logo is often glued on top, has uneven edges or is offset relative to the center. It is also worth checking the print quality on the back cover - the font should be clear, without "floating" letters.

• 🔍 Cameras - in the original, the lenses do not protrude excessively, the rings of the chambers are even, without burrs.
• 🔌 Connectors – the speakers, charging and microphone holes should be perfectly drilled and symmetrical.
• 📦 Set – original boxes have high-quality printing, protective films on the screen often have a brand logo.

⚠️ If the back of the phone says “Designed by Xiaomi” but when you turn on, you see the Apple or Samsung logo – it’s 100% fake with modified firmware that hides the real model.

The screen quality also gives the class of the device.In expensive models Xiaomi uses panels. AMOLED If you're holding a flagship, but you have a finger-thick frame around the display, and the colors look faded, you're either a very old model or a replica. OLED-screens have almost no visible frames in the off state.

Software features and version of MIUI / HyperOS

Software is the soul of a smartphone, and it's almost impossible to fake it completely. Original phones run on the shell of MIUI (or the new HyperOS), which has a specific interface and features. Counterfeiting often features a stripped-down version of Android, only stylized products Xiaomi.

Try entering secret codes in the call app. ##6484## opens the CIT (Customer Inspection Test) engineering menu, where you can check all the sensors, screen and communication modules. For fakes, this command either doesn't work or opens the standard Android menu. The original system also allows you to take screenshots with three fingers and has specific control gestures.

Go to Settings → About Phone. Notice the kernel version and build number. The original, when you repeatedly click on the MIUI/HyperOS logo, opens the update menu. In fakes, this logo is often static or leads to an advertising site. In addition, the original system preinstalled the full package of services from Google and Xiaomi/GetApps stores.

Another sign is that there are system applications. The originals have Security, Files, Themes with the MIUI logo. They're deep and integrated. They either don't exist in copies, or they're just stubs that don't have real functionality. Also note the smoothness of animations, because the original optimizations are very responsive.

Hardware differences: processors and cameras

The hardest to detect, but the most important aspect is the internal content. Replica manufacturers often put false information about the processor and memory in their settings. The phone can display "12 GB of RAM and Snapdragon 888," but it actually has 2 GB of storage and a weak chipset. How do you tell Xiaomi phones apart in this case? Only with third-party utilities.

Install CPU-Z or AIDA64 from Google Play, which reads real information from hardware. Pay attention to the number of cores, their frequency and architecture. If the specifications are 8-core processor, and the program shows 4 cores with low frequency, you have a fake or a very simplified version.

The quality of the cameras is also easy to verify software. The original sensors from Sony or Samsung support RAW modes, manual focusing and high resolution. Try taking a photo in good light and zooming it in. On fakes, even with the declared 64 MP, the real resolution is often interpolated to 2-5 MP, and when zooming you see "porridge" of pixels.

• 📉 Performance tests - run AnTuTu Benchmark.Fake results in 5-10 times lower than the stated (for example, 50 000 point-in 800 000).
• 💾 Memory: When you fill up memory with fake files, the data often stops working or cyclically overwrites after reaching a real limit (for example, 8 GB instead of 256 GB).
• 📡 Communication modules - check the work GPS (Satellites should be captured quickly and NFC (It is often not available in budget copies, although there is an icon on the menu).

⚠️ Warning: Don't trust the About Phone menu on devices purchased by hand or on dubious sites. Fake firmware is easy to modify to display any digits. Trust only third-party diagnostic tools.

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The only way to reliably know the characteristics of the hardware is to use independent diagnostic applications like CPU-Z, since the system information can be replaced by the replica manufacturer.

Global Version vs. Chinese (CN vs. Global)

Often users ask how Xiaomi phones bought in China differ from those sold officially in their country, the difference lies in the software and support for communication frequencies. The Chinese versions (CN) come with the shell of MIUI China, which does not have a built-in Google Play Store (it needs to be installed manually) and contains many Chinese services.

Global versions (Global) have Google Play pre-installed, support for multiple languages (including Russian out of the box), and are optimized to work with European and Asian carriers. It is important to note that global versions often undergo more stringent certification controls, such as SAR (radiation) levels.

There's also the concept of "Global Version," which is when a vendor opens a box of a Chinese phone, flashes it onto a global firmware and packs it back, and these devices may have an unlocked bootloader, which reduces security, and may not receive automatic "over-the-air" updates.

Firmware type check:


1. Go to Settings → About the phone.




2. Press 10 times on the MIUI/HyperOS version.




3. In the menu that appears, select "Choose update package".




4 If the firmware file has the suffix " GLOBAL_," you have a global version.




5 If the suffix " CN_" or " RU_" (for Russia) is the regional version.

In choosing between CN Chinese versions are often cheaper and sometimes have unique features not available in the global (for example, recording calls without warning in older versions). MIUI). However, for the average user who wants to “get and use”, the global version will be preferable.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)