The smartphone market is oversaturated with offerings, and Chinese brands, especially Xiaomi and Redmi, have become some of the most copied in the world. shoppers often face a dilemma: they are facing a really high-quality gadget or a skillful imitation assembled from cheap components. Fake devices can look almost identical to the originals, but their internal content will disappoint any user.
In this article, we will take a look at all the ways to authenticate a smartphone, learn how to distinguish the original from the replica using system tools, hidden engineer codes and third-party software, and this knowledge will help you avoid losing money and nerves when buying a device from hand or in questionable stores.
Ignoring the verification can lead to the purchase of a device with a reduced memory capacity, a poor camera and no security updates. Fake smartphones often run unstable and do not have access to the full functionality of the ecosystem.
Visual diagnostics of the body and configuration
The first thing that catches your eye when you encounter the device is its appearance. The original Redmi smartphones are of high build quality: the gaps between the body and the screen are minimal, and the buttons do not slug. On the back, the MI logo should be applied smoothly, without chipping or uneven paint.
Pay special attention to the screen. Fakes often use cheap IPS or even TN arrays with low viewing angles, while the originals are equipped with high-quality panels. Fake color reproduction usually goes into blue or yellow, and the brightness reserve is not enough for use in the sun.
⚠️ WARNING: If the box or device itself has a Xiaomi logo written with errors or the font differs from the official one, it is a complete forgery. Chinese copy manufacturers often allow typos in branding.
The kit can also tell you a lot. The original box always has a brief manual in several languages, a warranty card and a paper clip for extraction. SIM-The charging cable must be sealed, without burrs on the plastic parts of the connector.
Verification IMEI-code and serial number
The most reliable way to identify a device is to verify its unique identifier. IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is assigned to each phone during production. On the original Xiaomi smartphones, this code can be found on a sticker under the back cover (if it is removable) or on the box.
For quick check, enter the *#06# command in the Phone app. The screen will display data about the phone. SIM-map IMEI. These numbers must match those on the box and system settings, and even a single digit difference indicates that the device was tampered with or is a fake.
The resulting code must be punched on the official website of the manufacturer. Go to the Xiaomi authentication page and enter the serial number (S/N) and IMEI. The system will give the status of the device and the activation date.
If a site says no code is found, it doesn't always mean a fake, and sometimes the database is updated late, especially for new models that have just gone on sale, so you should wait a couple of weeks or call for support.
Analysis of MIUI operating system and interface
The software shell is the soul of a smartphone, and it's almost impossible to fake it. The original MIUI or HyperOS has specific animations, fonts and element layouts. Fakes often use old Android with a twisted theme that catches the eye of an experienced user.
Try opening the settings menu. In the original, the items are logical, there is a search by settings, and the switches are characteristically shaped. In replicas, the menus can be twitched, the fonts are "gotten," and some items (such as "Ad Block" or "Second Space") are non-working or lead nowhere.
⚠️ Warning: No GetApps app store (Mi Store) or no sign-in to a Mi Account is a sure sign of modified or fake firmware.
Also worth checking is the availability of Xiaomi system applications, which are pre-installed with Mi Cloud, Mi Remote, Security services with a shield logo, and if they are replaced by standard android analogues or strange utilities with Chinese characters that do not translate, this is a reason to be wary.
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Note the typefaces. In counterfeits, the system font is often replaced by the standard Roboto, whereas MIUI uses the Mi Sans branded font or similar with a unique character geometry.
Use of hidden engineering menu
Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones have access to a hidden hardware testing menu, a powerful diagnostic tool that is difficult to implement in cheap copies. Use the code ##6484## or #4636## to log in.
The CIT menu that opens up, which is a list of all the components of the device: the screen, speakers, vibrator, sensor, cameras and light sensors. You can run a test of each element in sequence, for example, a screen test will show the presence of broken pixels and the operation of the multi-touch.
##6484##If nothing happens when you enter the code or the standard Android menu opens, it’s a bad sign. Original Redmi devices always respond to this request, unless the debugging mode is blocked by the manufacturer for a specific region (which is rare).
☑️ Check through CIT menu
It is important to note that the menu CIT It shows real hardware information, if you have 128GB of storage in the settings, and you have a 128GB memory in the settings. CIT-menu is defined by a module of 16 GB, so the firmware of the device was hacked to replace the displayed data.
Performance and performance testing
Chinese craftsmen have learned to forge information in the About Phone section by changing the name of the processor and the amount of RAM in the system files. However, cheating benchmarks is more difficult. Install the AnTuTu Benchmark or CPU-Z app from the official Google Play store.
The original Snapdragon or MediaTek Helio/Dimensity processors show results that match models. For example, a budget Redmi can't score a million points in AnTuTu. If a budgetary person shows the results of a flagship, it's fake.
| Parameter | Original | Fake. |
|---|---|---|
| Volume of RAM | Complies with the stated (for example, 6 GB) | Often shows 6 GB, but is really available 1-2 GB |
| Camera resolution | Real (e.g. 48 MP with or without interpolation) | Interpolated to 48 MP, real 2-5 MP |
| Android version | Current or penultimate | Often old (Android 6-8) with a modified build number |
| Charging speed | Corresponds to block (18W, 33W, 67W) | Slow, even with the original block. |
Special attention is paid to the camera. counterfeits are often cheap matrixes of 0.3 or 2 MP, which are programmatically stretched to the declared 64 or 108 MP. Take a photo of text or a small object: a fake will be porridge of pixels, even in good light.
Why can benchmarks lie?
Comparison with the standard and conclusion
The best way to verify authenticity is to compare a suspicious device to a known original. Go to any hardware store or friend with the same smartphone. Compare weight: originals are usually heavier because of quality materials and battery. Counterfeiting is often easier because there is a lot of empty space inside.
Notice the speed. The original MIUI is optimized for specific hardware. If the interface slows down, the applications open for a long time, and the case heats up even in simple — these are signs of a low-quality copy.
⚠️ Warning: Don't buy smartphones at a price well below market price. There are no miracles: Xiaomi operates with minimal margin, so discount in the market 30-40% The new model is a guaranteed sign of fraud.
In summary, we can say that the comprehensive inspection takes no more than 10-15 You can use all the tools you need, from visual inspection to software testing.
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Just the sum of all the factors (IMEI, CIT-menu, weight, screen quality, 100% guarantee of originality.