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

Buying a Xiaomi smartphone is always a risk of getting a fake, especially if you choose a device from hand or on little-known sites. According to Counterpoint Research, up to 12% of the brand’s phones in the secondary market are counterfeit. Fakes are not only worse in quality, but can also pose a security threat from data leaks to battery fire.

In this article, we will discuss 7 reliable ways to verify the originality of Xiaomi – from visual inspection of the box to analysis of firmware and hardware components. IMEI, And why even the brand stores sometimes sell gray devices, and at the end, a checklist for quick checks before buying.

1. Packaging check: 5 signs of forgery

The first thing that catches your eye is the box, and fake makers often save on packaging, so careful inspection can weed out up to 60 percent of fakes before unpacking. Xiaomi's original boxes have a matte coating with a clear embossed brand name, and the seams are glued neatly, without protruding glue.

Pay attention to:

• 📦 Serial number on the sticker: must match the number on the phone and in documents. Fakes often use random combinations or repeating numbers (for example, 123456789).
• 🔍 Hologram: the original it changes color when tilted, on fakes - static or absent.
• 📏 Box sizes: Fakes are often thinner or already on 1-2 Compare with the official model parameters on the Mi.com website.
• 🖨️ Fonts and colors: original inscriptions are in the signature orange-black color, without blurring").
• 🔖 Documentation: the package must be a warranty card with the stamp of the official dealer and instructions in the language of the country of sale.

If the box is suspicious, don't rush to open it, give it back to the seller. In 2023, Xiaomi tightened its control over the packaging, adding that it was a "small" device. QR-codes with check-in on the site, but this feature does not work for all regions.

⚠️ Warning: Some sellers replace the original packaging with a fake one after unpacking. Always require a photo of the box with the top valve open, where the serial number and contents are visible.

2. Visual examination of the phone: details that you do not copy

Even if the packaging looks perfect, the phone itself could be a clone.

• 🔧 Gaps and backlashes: the original Xiaomi gap between the screen and the body does not exceed 0.3 mm. on fakes often see gaps, especially around the buttons.
• 🎨 Color quality: original models have a uniform color without leaks. Counterfeiting is often the fault of divorce or mismatch of shades on different parts of the body.
• 🔊 Speakers and microphones: The original speaker lattice is symmetrical, barless, and can be shifted or have irregular edges on clones.
• 📱 Logo: on the back, the Mi or Redmi logo should be clear, without blurring".

Pay special attention to the camera. The original Xiaomi lenses have a unique anti-reflective coating that reflects a bluish hue in bright light. On fakes, the reflection is usually green or absent. Also check the number of megapixels in the camera settings - it should match the official characteristics of the model.

Official Xiaomi Store|Large network retailers (Svyaznoy, M. Video)|Marketplace (Wildberries, Ozon)|Hands off (Avito, Yula)|Abroad (AliExpress, Gearbest)-->

Don’t forget to check the display:

- The originals. AMOLED-Xiaomi’s screens have 178 viewing angles.°, colorless.

- Fakes are often cheaply installed. IPS-matrices with a noticeable "fading" when tilted.

- Test for dead pixels: fill the screen with a uniform color (for example, through the Screen Test application) - broken subpixels are often visible on fakes.

3.Verification IMEI: surest

IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity is a unique 15-digit code for your phone that can be verified in three ways:

1. On the box: usually indicated on the sticker along with the serial number.
2. In the phone: dial *#06# - a window will appear with IMEI (or two if the phone supports two SIM-map).
3. Under the battery: on some models (e.g. Redmi) 9A) IMEI duplicated on the sticker under the cover.

Check the IMEI through the official services:

• 🌍 Xiaomi’s official website: Go to the mi.com/global/verify And you enter the code. The system will show the model, the date of production and the status of the warranty.
• 📡 IMEI.info: imei.info defines the country of origin and originality of the device.
• 📱 Mi Verify app: Available on Google Play for authentication (not all models).

⚠️ Attention: If IMEI The box and the phone are not the same, you have either a fake or a phone after repair with a replacement motherboard.

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If the seller refuses to show IMEI Before you buy it, you're going to question the originality. You can ask for a photo of the stickers on the box with clear resolution -- fake. IMEI frequently blurred or reprinted.

4. firmware and software analysis: what the system hides

The firmware is the brain of the phone, and the original Xiaomi has unique features. MIUI:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.
2. Compare the build number with the official one on the website MIUI Downloads.
3. If the version is not listed or has a postfix fake, test, it is a fake.

Check the service codes further:

• 📞 ##4636## is a test menu, the originals display full module information (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, network) and many of the fakes are missing or have errors.
• 🔧 ##6484## - camera test. The original Xiaomi shows real-world sensor specs, clones - inflated values.
• 📡 ##64663## - Network test. Fakes often lack support 5G or VoLTE, even if it is stated in the specifications.

Please note the pre-installed applications:

The original Xiaomi has branded services: Mi Account, Mi Community, GetApps.

- Fakes often contain fake versions of these apps (e.g., “Mi Store” instead of “GetApps”) or Chinese counterparts (Baidu, UC Browser).

- You can verify the authenticity of applications through Settings → Annexes → Show all applications – the original icons Xiaomi has a certificate of publisher.

Verify the version MIUI formal|Check service codes (##4636##)|Make sure there are branded applications|View information about modules in the test menu|Check for support for the declared networks (4G/5G)-->

5. Testing of "iron": how to recognize a clone from the hardware

Fakes are often equipped with cheap analogues of processors, memory and batteries, and you can check the "stuffing" without disassembling the phone:

Processor and memory:

• 🖥️ Install the app CPU-Z or AIDA64 Compare the specifications with the official: - Processor model (e.g. Snapdragon) 8 Gen 2 vs. fake Helio G99). - The volume of RAM and ROM (on fakes is often underestimated by the 30-50%). - Clock frequency of nuclei (in clones it is usually lower than the declared one).
• 🔋 Run a performance test in AnTuTu. The original Xiaomi scores at least 80% of the average for the model.+ Should show 600,000.+ score.

Battery and charging:

• ⚡ Connect the original Xiaomi RAM (for example, 33W Fakes often lack fast charging support, or the phone is warming up over 45°C.
• 🔋 Check the battery capacity through AccuBattery. If the actual capacity is less than the declared 20% or more (for example, 3800 mAh instead of 5000 mAh), this is a fake.

Camera and sensors:

• 📸 Take a photo in Pro mode and check it out. EXIF-Data (via the Photo application) EXIF The originals indicate a real sensor model (e.g. Sony). IMX766), The name of the fake is the common name (Camera Module).
• 🔦 Check the sensors: gyroscope, compass, proximity sensor, which are often absent or malfunctioning on clones (for example, the screen does not turn off during a call).

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If the phone passes all hardware tests, but is on 30-40% It's cheaper than the market, and it's a reason to question its origin, perhaps a gray device (unofficially brought in) or a device that was rebuilt after a major breakdown.

6. Check through official Xiaomi services

Xiaomi provides several authentication tools, and here's how to use them:

Serial number verification service:

1. Find the serial number on the box or in Settings → The phone.
2. Go to mi.com/global/verify.
3. Enter the serial number and the captcha, and the system will show the model, the date of production, and the warranty status.

2. Mi Verify application (for some models):

• Download the app from Google Play (not available in all regions).
• Open it and follow the instructions. The app scans. IMEI firmware.
• If the phone is original, a green checkmark will appear, and if the fake phone is a mistake or a red cross.

Verification through Mi Account:

• Register your Mi Account on your phone.
• Go to Settings → Mi Account → Devices.
• If the phone is linked to an account but does not appear in the list of devices, it is a fake.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi services may not work with phones purchased in China for the domestic market (models with postfix C, for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro).+In this case, check the IMEI via third-party services.

7.Where and how to buy Xiaomi, so as not to run into a fake

Even though you know all the ways to check, you should buy your phone in a safe place first, and here's a ranking of the safest sources from the safest to the riskiest:

If you buy from hand, follow these rules:

• 📸 Demand a photo. IMEI, serial number and packaging before meeting.
• 🔍 Check the phone with this instruction at the seller.
• 💳 Do not pay in cash – use a secure transaction (for example, through the Avito Protection or a bank safe deposit box).
• 📄 Ask for a check or a warranty card – without them, your phone could be stolen.

Be especially careful when buying popular models that are more often counterfeited:

- Redmi Note 12 Pro+ (copy-model 2023-2026 garland.)

- POCO X5 Pro

- Xiaomi 13 Lite

- Redmi A2+

Black Shark 5 (Game Phones Are Fake 80% of the Time)

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If the price of a new Xiaomi model is lower than the official one by more than 20%, it is almost always a fake or a refurbished device, with the exception of large sales in official stores (for example, Black Friday).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi vetting