How to distinguish the original Xiaomi Poco X3 from a fake: the full guide 2026

The Xiaomi Poco X3 remains one of the most popular budget smartphones even years after its release. Its combination of performance, price and functionality attracts millions of users - and just as attracts scammers. According to Counterpoint Research, up to 12% of Xiaomi's smartphones in the secondary market in 2023 were fake or relabeled, which means that one in eight customers risk getting the wrong thing they paid for.

Poco X3 counterfeits range from crude replicas with low-quality components to gray machines assembled from original parts but not officially certified. The latter are particularly dangerous: they can look like the original but lack warranty, MIUI updates and even basic security. In this article, we will discuss 7 reliable ways to verify the forgery before you buy – or confirm the authenticity of a device you have already bought.

1. IMEI check: the first and most reliable step

Unique. IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity is your smartphone's "passport." X3 There are two of them. SIM-The cards, and both of them must match the data on the box and in the system:

• 📦 On the box: IMEI It's on a barcode sticker (usually on the end or bottom) and check it against what's on the phone.
• 📱 In the phone: dial *#06# - both will appear on the screen IMEI. They must match the box.
• 🔍 On the battery: under the lid (if it is removable) or on the sticker under the slot SIM-maps are also duplicated IMEI.

Check the IMEI through the official services:

1. Go to IMEI.info or the official Xiaomi Verifier.
2. Enter both IMEIs alternately. The original Poco X3 should be displayed as the M2007J20CG (global version) or M2007J20CI (Indian).
3. Note the production date: if the phone is released after 2021, but sold as a new one, this is a cause for doubt (officially, production of the Poco X3 ended in early 2022).

⚠️ Warning: Fraudsters often fake stickers with IMEI If the codes on the box and on the phone match, but don't pass the official website, you're 100% fake.

Analysis of packaging and configuration: parts that give a fake

The original Poco X3 packaging has some unique features that are difficult to fake, starting with the appearance of the box:

Now, the original Poco X3 should include:

• 🔌 Charger: 33W, model MDY-11-ED (It's on the adapter, and fakes are often equipped with cheap ones. 10W-18W charge.
• 🔋 Cable USB Type-C: with a logo POCO lettering 5A For fakes, the cable is thinner and unmarked.
• 📄 Documentation: Warranty card (if you buy a new one), user manual in several languages (including Russian for official deliveries).
• 🎧 Case: transparent silicone with logo POCO upper right corner (only in some regions).

Special attention is paid to factory film. On the original Poco X3, it covers only the screen, with precisely cut holes for the speaker and front camera. Counterfeits often have film on the entire front panel or with curved cutouts.

3.External examination of the phone: 5 signs of forgery

Even if IMEI And the packaging seems authentic, so you have to look at the machine carefully. X3 frequently:

1. Build quality: the original has uniform gaps between the body and the screen (no more than 0.3 mm). Swipe the nail along the seam - on the fake you will feel irregularities or gaps.
2. The POCO logo: the original one is laser-engraved and doesn't erase, and on the fake one, the logo can be a sticker or paint that fades over time.
3. Camera: The original Poco X3 has a 1.8mm main camera module and a metal ring; the fakes have a plastic ring, and the protrusion can be larger or smaller.
4. Screen: The original uses an IPS LCD with a resolution of 1080×2400 and a frequency of 120 Hz. You can check in settings (Settings → Display → Update Frequency). Counterfeits often have a 720p screen with 60 Hz.
5. Weight: The original Poco X3 weighs 215g and counterfeits are usually lighter (180–200g) due to cheap materials.

Now, look at the touch buttons, which are originally white, and they have clear boundaries, and in fakes, the backlights can be blue or green, and the borders are blurry.

4 Software Verification: MIUI and Hidden Settings

The original Poco X3 runs on MIUI with the proprietary shell of the POCO Launcher. Counterfeiters often use custom firmware or outdated versions of Android.

1. MIUI version: Go to Settings → About Phone. Original should have MIUI 12.0.3 or later (for global version).If the version is below or listed as "Android 10" without mentioning MIUI, it's a fake.
2. Device model: Check the Model on the same menu. POCO X3 (surya) or M2007J20CG should be indicated. Any other designations (e.g. Redmi Note 9) indicate relabeling.
3. Hidden tests: type ##4636## in the dialer. The original test menu will open, and a fake may show an error or an empty screen.

Another reliable way is to check with Mi Account:

1. Sign up or sign in to your Xiaomi account on your phone.
2. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Find the device.
3. If the phone is original, it will show up in the list of devices with the correct model, either not showing up as fakes or showing up as an unknown device.

⚠️ Note: Some fakes are imitating MIUI, But they have interface errors, like missing the Game Turbo partition or 120Hz settings for the screen. → Additionally. → Developer mode – this item is often absent in fakes.

5. Iron testing: how to detect substitution of components

Poco X3 counterfeits are often equipped with cheap analogues of the processor, memory or battery.

• 📊 CPU-Z: It's going to show you a real model of the processor. SM7150-AC Snapdragon 732G. If you have a different chipset (for example, Helio) G85) — it's a fake.
• 🔋 AccuBattery: check battery capacity. Original Poco X3 It has a battery of 6000 mAh. If the application shows 4000-5000 mAh, the battery is replaced.
• 📱 AIDA64: In the Memory section, check the type of RAM. LPDDR4X, fake — LPDDR3 older standards.

Also, do a stress test:

1. Install 3DMark or Geekbench.
2. Run a performance test. The original Snapdragon 732G should score at least 2,500 on the Geekbench single-core test. Results below 2000 suggest a processor swap.
3. Check the heating: After 10 minutes of play (for example, PUBG Mobile at high settings), the original is heated to 40–45°C. Counterfeits can overheat to 50°C+ or turn off.

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If a seller refuses to allow the installation of test apps or verification through Mi Account is a sure sign of fraud.The original Poco X3 has no diagnostic restrictions.

6. Check through official Xiaomi channels

If you are buying Poco X3 from hand or in an unofficial store, be sure to use the official verification tools:

1. Xiaomi Service Center: Find the nearest authorized service center and ask to check the phone by IMEI. This is free and takes 10-15 minutes.
2. Official support chat: Write to the chat Xiaomi, specifying IMEI and serial number (under the battery).
3. Loyalty Program: If the phone is new, try activating the warranty via Mi Verify.

For aftermarket purchases (such as Avito or OLX), use Xiaomi’s “Pre-Buy Check” service, which is available in some regions and allows you to send IMEI for verification before transferring money.

⚠️ Warning: Fraudsters often forge warranty documents. Xiaomi's official warranty is always registered in the database. IMEI If the seller shows a paper ticket without reference to the system, it is a fake.

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

One of the most obvious signs of counterfeiting is the suspiciously low price tag, and at the time of the update (2026), the average prices for the Poco X3 are as follows:

If the price is below the above values by 30% or more, this is a cause for doubt, and avoid buying in the following places:

• 🛒 Unofficial marketplaces: AliExpress, Wish, Pandao (risk of counterfeiting – 60–80%).
• 🤝 Private sellers without reviews: especially if they have several “new” Pocos on sale X3.
• 🏪 Stores with suspicious names: for example, “Xiaomi Store” without official partner status.

Buy only from authorized retailers:

• 🌍 Official website: mi.com.
• 🛒 Partners: Svyaznoy, M. Video, Wildberries (marked "Official seller»).
• 📦 Marketplaces with buyer protection: Ozon (with guarantee), Yandex Market (at verified sellers).

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Even if the phone passes all the checks, buy it with a check or a sales contract, which is your only protection if it later turns out to be an unoriginal device.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Poco X3 inspection