Checking Xiaomi smartphone before buying: 15 criteria that will protect against errors

Buying a Xiaomi smartphone is a crucial step, especially if it is a model from hand or in an informal store. Even new devices out of the box can have hidden defects, not to mention used gadgets with a dubious history. Statistically, one in five customers face problems after purchasing: from a ban of a Mi Account account to hidden damage to the screen or battery.

This article will help avoid common mistakes, and we will discuss how to check Xiaomi for originality, assess the condition of hardware and software, and identify traces of repair or fraud, POCO and flagships Xiaomi 13/14, The ones that are most often faked. All recommendations are relevant to the 2026 The year and take into account the latest schemes of fraud sellers.

1. Originality Check: How to distinguish a fake from a real Xiaomi

The first and most important step is to verify the authenticity of the device, and the fraudsters have learned to copy even the flagship models, so external inspection will not help. IMEI — unique device identifier.

Methods of verification IMEI:

• 📱 Dial on the phone keyboard *#06# - a window with a 15-digit code will appear.
• 📄 Look at the sticker under the battery (for models with a removable lid) or on the box.
• 🌐 Enter. IMEI on the official Mi Verify website.

If the data does not match or the site gives an error, before you 100% Note that Xiaomi always has two fakes. IMEI (each SIM-The cards, and both must match the information on the box (S/N) Mi Order Status service – it must display the device model and activation date.

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If the seller refuses to provide IMEI before purchase or asks for an advance payment "for verification" is a sure sign of fraud.

Additional features of the original Xiaomi:

• 🔍 The logo on the box should be convex, with clear edges (fakes often have a blurred print).
• 📦 There is a mandatory corporate cable in the kit. USB-C (for new models) or Micro-USB (older models), and documentation in Chinese/English.
• 🔋 Battery sticker (if removable) contains a hologram with the Mi logo.

External inspection: what gives a broken or restored smartphone

Even if IMEI And it's checked, it could be repaired or it could have hidden defects:

Checklist of external inspection:

Pay special attention to the screen. Turn on the phone and look at it from different angles.

• 🔦 When the screen is tilted, there should be no yellow spots (a sign of matrix replacement).
• 🖥️ Swipe your finger across the display – if there are divorces, this indicates a poor quality oleophobic coating (often after glass replacement).
• 🎨 Run a broken pixel test: open a monochromatic image (black, white, red) and check for colored dots.

To check the cameras, use the standard Camera app:

• 📸 Take a photo on the main and front camera under different lighting conditions.
• 🔍 Check the autofocus – it should be quickly guided to objects.
• 🌃 Turn on night mode and compare the quality of the images with samples in the reviews (for example, for Xiaomi 13 Ultra night photos should be detailed without heavy noises).

3.Iron Testing: How to Identify Hidden Problems

Even if the phone looks perfect, the internal components can be worn out or damaged, starting with a battery test, the most vulnerable element.

How to check the battery:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery status.
2. Look at the Capacity option – if it is below 85% of the factory’s capacity, the battery needs to be replaced.
3. Use the AccuBattery app (available on Google Play) for detailed diagnosis.

Use the rest of the iron to check. MIUI Diagnostics:

1. Type on the keyboard ##4636##.
2. Choose Testing and consistently check all components.
3. Pay attention to the "Sensors" and "Camera" items - they should display status OK.

We also recommend using third-party utilities:

• 📱 CPU Throttling Test – checks if the processor is throttling (a common problem after overheating).
• 🎮 3DMark GFXBench – Testing performance GPU (Compare the results with benchmarks for your model).
• 🔊 Speaker Test – checks the work of speakers at different frequencies.

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If the seller refuses to allow the installation of diagnostic applications, this is a reason to doubt the integrity of the transaction.

Pay special attention to the memory check:

• 📁 Run the test in A1 SD Bench – read/write speed should match the model’s characteristics.
• 🔄 Check if the phone is resetting when the memory is filled (a sign of malfunction) EMMC/UF).

4. Software verification: firmware, locks and viruses

One of the most common scams is selling phones with a locked Mi Account or custom firmware, starting with checking your account:

How to make sure your phone is not tied to someone else’s account:

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi account.
2. If someone else’s email is displayed there, ask the seller to log out of the account and make a reset (Settings) → Additionally. → Resetting settings).
3. After reset, the phone should start with a welcome screen. MIUI.

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If the seller claims that "the account does not interfere with the use of the phone" - do not believe. The lock can be activated at any time, especially after the firmware update.

Next, we check the firmware:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI.
• 🔍 Compare the official version on the website MIUI Downloads.
• ⚠️ If the firmware version does not coincide with the regional one (for example, Indian firmware is installed on the Redmi Note 12 for Russia), this can lead to problems with updates.

Check your phone for viruses:

• 🛡️ Install Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light and perform a full scan.
• 🔍 Check the list of installed applications – there should be no suspicious programs with Chinese characters.

If you bought the phone in China, look for a regional link:

• 🌍 On Chinese versions (China) ROM) Google Play and Google services are missing.
• 🔄 You can reflash the phone to the global version, but this will cancel the warranty.

Communication testing: SIM-maps, networks and modules

Communication problems are one of the most frustrating problems that's hard to spot on a surface test. SIM-map:

How to check the work SIM:

• 📶 Put two in. SIM-cards of different operators (for example, MTS and Tele2).
• 📞 Call each one. SIM On another phone, check the quality of the connection.
• 🌐 Turn on the mobile Internet and check the speed on Speedtest.

Pay special attention to the module inspection NFC (if it's in the model):

• 💳 Try linking your bank card to Google Pay or Mi Pay.
• 🔄 Check the contactless payment in the store.

For supported models 5G (For example, Xiaomi 13 Pro or POCO F5):

• 📡 Make sure that the network settings are available 5G/4G/3G/2G.
• 📊 Check the speed of the Internet in the coverage area 5G (must be at least 200 Mbps).

If your phone supports Wi-Fi 6, check:

• 📶 Connect to a router with Wi-Fi 6 support and measure the speed.
• 🔍 Wi-Fi settings should display a Wi-Fi 6 tag or 802.11ax.

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If the seller claims that "5G Does not work because of the operator – request checks with another SIM-It's often a sign of a faulty module.

6. Verification of sensors and additional functions

Modern Xiaomi smartphones are equipped with dozens of sensors, the failure of which can seriously worsen the user experience.

List of required sensors for inspection:

To check the infrared port (if available in the model):

• 📺 Install the Mi Remote app and try to control the TV or air conditioner.
• 🔦 Check the IR transmitter through another phone’s camera – purple light should be visible.

If the phone supports wireless charging:

• ⚡ Check compatibility with charging stations (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Wireless Charging Pad).
• 🔋 Make sure charging starts immediately after placing the phone on the court.

7. Check for traces of repair or replacement of components

Even if the phone was working properly, it could have been repaired, and that's not always a bad thing, but it's important to know what was changed.

Signs of repair:

• 🔧 Traces of screws on the back cover (especially relevant for the POCO and Redmi with removable lid).
• 🎨 Uneven gaps between the screen and the frame (a sign of a display replacement).
• 🔋 The battery sticker must be intact (if it is torn - the battery has changed).

To check the originality of the components:

• 📱 Install the app AIDA64 Check the models of the installed components (for example, the model of the battery must match the factory model).
• 🔍 V AIDA64 Go to the Android section → System and check the "Assembly Date" option - it must coincide with the model release date.

Pay special attention to the screen check:

• 🖥️ Xiaomi's original screens have factory-calibrated colors. If the colors look unnatural, chances are the screen has been replaced.
• 🔦 Check the automatic brightness – on non-original screens, it often doesn’t work.

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If the seller says "the screen was changed under warranty," ask for a warranty card marked service center. Without the document, it's just words.

8 Final Check: What to Do Before Payment

Before you transfer money, follow the final steps:

Checklist before purchase:

If you buy a phone from hand:

• 📝 Make a receipt with the serial number, IMEI state of the device.
• 💳 Use secure payment methods (e.g., phone number translation with the comment “For Xiaomi [model], IMEI: [number]").
• 📦 Ask the seller to show a check or warranty card (if the phone is new).

For new phones from official stores:

• 🛒 Check the fillings on the box – they should be whole.
• 🔖 Make sure the serial number on the box matches the number on the phone.
• 📅 Check the activation date with Mi Order Status – it must match the purchase date.

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If the seller is in a hurry with payment or refuses to provide documents - this is a reason to refuse the transaction.

Important: from 2023, Xiaomi began to mark phones for the Russian market with special stickers with a special name. QR-If you scan it, you can verify the authenticity of the device and the date of import into Russia, and if you don't have a sticker, you have a "gray" import that is not covered by the official warranty.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions