How to know exactly the year of release of the Xiaomi Redmi Note phone: from the box to the hidden menu

Did you buy a Xiaomi Redmi Note with your hands or find an old phone in a drawer but not sure its age?The year of release of the smartphone affects the relevance of the firmware, compatibility with new applications and even market value. For example, the 2016 Redmi Note 4 may cost 2-3 times less than the 2017 model, although they are identical in appearance. MIUI, Unlike the versions released in the second half of the year.

5 working methods to determine the year of production of Xiaomi Redmi Note of any model (from Note 3 to Note 13 Pro)+). We will analyze the official and hidden methods, including decryption of the serial number, checking the IMEI, It is important that Xiaomi does not have a single standard for marking the year - the method depends on the model and the region of sale.

1. Serial number check (S/N) — most accurate

Serial number (S/N) — Xiaomi has a unique device identifier that contains encrypted production date information, and the number format has changed over the years, but the general principle of decryption is preserved:

• 📦 On the sticker under the battery (for models with a removable lid: Redmi Note) 3/4/4X)
• 📱 In settings: Settings → The phone. → General information → Serial number.
• 📄 On the box (near the barcode)

Xiaomi serial number is usually 14-16 characters long. Use 4-6 characters to decipher the year (depending on the model):

WW The serial number indicates the week of production (01 to 52). For example, 2112 is the 12th week of 2021 (March.

⚠️ Note: Fake Xiaomi serial numbers are often forged. If the transcript gives a year older than 2-3 years from the current one, check it out. IMEI (Section 2) or use the engineering menu (section 4).

2. Verification of IMEI — authenticate

IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity is another unique identifier that is tied to the hardware of the phone, which does not contain direct release date information, but allows you to use the same name:

• 🔍 Make sure the phone is original (not a clone)
• 📅 Find out the date of the first activation (approximate release year)
• 📦 Check the region of sale (Chinese/global version)

How to find IMEI:

1. Type on the keyboard: *#06# - a window with a 15-digit number will appear.
2. Look at the settings: Settings → The phone. → General information → IMEI.
3. On a sticker under the battery or on the box.

Check it out. IMEI service-wise:

• 🌍 IMEI.info – show the model, year of release (sometimes) and country.
• 🔧 XiaomiMEI – a specialized service for Xiaomi devices.

💡

If the service shows "Unknown" or the data doesn't match the model on the box, it's a fake. IMEI with the sticker under the battery: they must match.

Example of IMEI decoding for Redmi Note 10 Pro:

IMEI: 865432012345678


Model: M2101K6G (Redmi Note 10 Pro)




Activation date: 15.05.2021




Country: India (global version)

⚠️ Warning: If the activation date is 1-2 years later than the year of serial number release, the phone was in stock or refurbished%.

3. Box analysis and configuration - visual signs

The original Xiaomi Redmi Note box contains 3 key markings that can determine the year:

• 📅 Date of production - on a barcode sticker (format) YYYY-MM-DD or YY/MM/DD). For example, 2021-03-15 or 21/03/15.
• 🏭 The factory code is the first 2-3 letters in the serial number on the box, ICN — plant, CND — China.
• 📦 The article of the model - for example, M2003J15SC Redmi Note 9, which is the release date for GSMArena.

How to distinguish a fake box:

If there is no box, check the complete set:

• 🔌 Charger: for models up to 2020 year-end — 5V/2A, s 2021 — 33W Fast Charge.
• 🎧 Headphones: in the Redmi Note 8-10 were with a 3.5 mm connector, in the Note 11-13 – only Type-C.
• 📄 Documents: In the original there is a warranty card with a date of sale.

4. Engineering menu - hidden production data

The engineering menu (Engineer Mode) contains technical data, including build date, which works on all Redmi Notes, but it requires caution – don’t change settings!

How to open the engineering menu:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the code: ##4636###.
3. Go to the tab Information about the phone.

Look for the lines:

• Date of manufacture – exact date of production (e.g, 05/2021).
• Hardware version – the hardware version (for example, V1.2 202008 - August 2020).
• RF Calibration date - Calibration date of the radio module (coincides with the year of release).

For Redmi Note 8-12 models, use the following alternative code:

##284## → Test Mode → Version Info

⚠️ Warning: Do not press other buttons in the engineering menu - this can cause the network to crash or reboot.If the phone stopped catching the network after visiting the menu, reset: Settings → System system → Resetting the network.

5.External signs - how to determine the year by design

If the phone doesn't turn on or you don't trust software methods, check out the case and components. Xiaomi regularly updates the Redmi Note design, and you can identify the generation from the details:

Additional features:

• 🔋 Battery: Redmi Note 4 – 4100 mAh, Note 10 Pro – 5020 mAh.
• 📸 Camera: until 2019 – single or double, from 2020 – 4-5 modules.
• 🔌 Charging: until 2021 — 18W, s 2021 — 33W/67W.

If the phone is disassembled, pay attention to:

• 🖥️ Marking of the fee: for example, MSM8953 — Redmi Note 5 (2018), MT6875 — Note 10 Pro (2021).
• 🔧 Battery date: Month and year are indicated on the sticker (e.g, 2020-07).

💡

If the phone looks like a Redmi Note 9 but has a Micro-USB or home button, it's a fake.The original models are being fitted from 2019. USB-C and touch buttons.

6. Software Methods – Applications and Services

If manual methods do not help, use specialized applications and online services:

• 📱 CPU-Z (Android: Shows the build date and processor model (it can be used to determine the year).
• 🌐 Xiaomi Firmware Updater (website): enter the model – the service will show the release dates of firmware.
• 🔍 AIDA64: in the System section → Android Search for Assembly Date.

Example CPU-Z For the Redmi Note 8 Pro:

Model: begonia (Redmi Note 8 Pro)


Processor: Helio G90T (2019)




Assembly date: Thu Oct 10 14:32:59 CST 2019

Please note the MIUI version:

• MIUI 10–11: Redmi Note 7–9 (2019–2020).
• MIUI 12–13: Redmi Note 10–12 (2021–2023).
• HyperOS: Redmi Note 13 (2026).

⚠️ Note: If the firmware build date is 1-2 years newer than the serial number year, the phone was unofficially flashed, this can lead to problems with updates or blocking the Mi Account.

7. Checking the Xiaomi database - the official way

The most reliable, but little-known, method is to check through Xiaomi’s official service, which works for phones released after 2018.

Instructions:

1. Go to the site: https://order.mi.com/imei.
2. Enter the IMEI or serial number.
3. Enter the captcha and press Submit.

The service will show:

• 📅 Activation date (roughly coincides with the year of release).
• 🏭 Producing country (China, India, Indonesia).
• 🔄 Warranty status (if the phone is older than 2 years, the warranty has expired).

Example of response to the Redmi Note 11 Pro+:

IMEI: 861234567890123


Model: 22011211G (Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G)




Activation Date: 2022-05-18




Warranty: Expired (24 months)

If the service makes a mistake IMEI not found:

• 🔄 Check the correct input. IMEI.
• 📱 Make sure your phone is not fake.
• 🌍 Try another region (for example, replace the last character). IMEI 0-by-1 for the global version).

FAQ: Frequent Questions About Xiaomi Redmi Note Year Definition