Buying a Xiaomi smartphone in the secondary market or in unofficial stores always carries the risk of running into a fake. According to a Counterpoint Research study, up to 12% of the brand’s devices in the Russian market in 2023 were counterfeit or “gray” (imported illegally), while outwardly copies are often indistinguishable from the originals – up to 80% of fakes mimic even trifles like button textures and branded packaging. How is it guaranteed that your Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5 will not be relabeled by Meizu or assembled in a clandestine shop?
In this article, we will discuss 7 reliable methods of verification, including IMEI analysis, diagnostics through the engineering menu and the nuances of working with proprietary MIUI software. Particular attention will be paid to methods that deceive even experienced sellers, such as replacing IMEI at the firmware stage or using cloned serial numbers from original devices. All instructions are relevant for models 2020-2026 and tested on Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Redmi K60 Pro and POCO F5.
1.IMEI verification: the main marker of originality
The International Mobile Equipment Identifier (IMEI) is a unique 15-digit code that is assigned to each smartphone during the manufacturing phase. Xiaomi's IMEI is not only written on the box and in the phone's settings, but also in the device's hardware memory, and counterfeits often cause inconsistencies between these sources.
To check the IMEI:
- 📦 Compare the number on the box sticker (usually under the barcode) with what appears on the phone along the Settings path → The phone. → General information → IMEI.
- 📱 Type *#06# on the phone keyboard and a window will appear with IMEI. It must match the data from the settings.
- 🌐 Enter. IMEI on the official website of IMEI.info or mi.com/global/verify. The original device will show the model, date of production and warranty status.
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If you enter *#06# or the code does not appear, it is 100% a sign of a fake or deep flashing.
⚠️ Warning: Fraudsters have learned to fake IMEI Always check it through three sources (box) + setting + If at least one of them has a different number, here's a copy.
Packaging and configuration analysis
The original Xiaomi box has over 20 security features that are hard to fake.
| Sign. | Original | Fake. |
|---|---|---|
| Box material | A thick cardboard with a matte coating, does not shine through | Thin cardboard, glossy or with uneven edges |
| Barcode | Clear, with microtext (when zooming, the letters "Xiaomi" are visible) | Blurred, without microtext or with typos |
| IMEI sticker | Holographic, with a changing pattern when tilted | Ordinary paper or with rough printing |
| Complementation | USB-C/Type-C cable with logo, documentation in Chinese and English | Cheap cable without logo, instructions only in English |
🔍 Lifehack: The original Xiaomi boxes after 2021 have hidden protection – if you swipe your nail over the logo on the top cover, you will have a barely noticeable trace (micro-engraving.
What do I do if there is no box?
3. Diagnostics through the engineering menu
The MTK Engineer Mode or Qualcomm Diag contains data that cannot be forged without physical interference with the hardware.
- Open the Phone app and type ##4636##.
- Go to the tab Information about the phone.
- Check the lines: IMEI must match the data on the box. The serial number starts with the letters SN or XM. The model must match the inscription on the back (for example, 2304FPNC4G for the Redmi Note 12).
⚠️ Note: If the engineering menu displays a model that doesn’t exist (e.g., Redmi Note) 12X The Pro Max, or serial number, starts with numbers, is a fake. Xiaomi's original devices are always alphanumeric.
IMEI (must match box)|Serial number (SN/XM + digits format)|Model (exact name without "X"/"Pro Max")|MIUI version (corresponds to the official model)
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4. Firmware and MIUI check
The MIUI branded shell has unique features that are difficult to fake:
- 🔄 Updates by air (OTA): Original devices receive updates through Settings → The phone. → System update: Fakes are either not updated or offer to download firmware from third-party sites.
- 🔒 Mi Account Services: You can log in to Xiaomi account without errors on the original phone. Copies often give a message saying "Device is not certified".
- 🛠️ Diagnosis through Mi PC Suite: Connect your phone to a computer with official Xiaomi software. Original device will be automatically determined, fake - no.
📌 Critical Sign: If the phone settings do not have a section Additional → The region (where the country is chosen for Xiaomi services), then you are either a fake or a “gray” import with custom firmware.
Comparing IMEI| Watching the packaging | Testing the camera and performance | Checking through MIUI | Not checking
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5. Hardware tests: camera, sensors, charging
Counterfeit saves on components, so they can be calculated by indirect signs:
- 📸 Camera: Take a photo in format RAW (manually) and check EXIF-data EXIF Xiaomi’s original modules have serial numbers beginning with OV (OmniVision or S5K (Fakes often have cheap, unlabeled sensors.
- 🔋 Charging: Original devices support proprietary Quick Charge or HyperCharge protocols. Connect your phone to charging and check the speed through the Ampere app. 15W — it's a fake.
- 📡 Network: Insert two SIM-Check the support for VoLTE and 5G (Copies often don't work on next-generation networks.
💡 Tip: Run the sensor test through the Phone Tester app (available on Google Play).The original Xiaomi smartphones have 10+ sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope, compass, etc.), whereas counterfeits often lack or are not calibrated.
6. Verification through the serial number on the Xiaomi website
The most reliable way is verification through the official Xiaomi service:
- Find the serial number in the settings (Settings → About Phone → General Information) or on the box.
- Go to https://mi.com/global/verify.
- Type in the serial number and the captcha. The system will show: device model, activation date (if the phone has already been used), warranty status.
⚠️ If the site is making an error, "Invalid" SN" or shows a model that doesn't match your phone, it's a fake, and be wary if the activation date matches the production date (this is a sign of a cloned serial number).
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Official checks through mi.com are the only way to identify gray devices that have been imported illegally, and even if the IMEI and packaging are original, the status of the site will show the real situation.
7. Visual differences: what gives a fake
Despite the similarity, the copies have characteristic flaws:
- 🔍 Logo: On the original devices, the inscription mi or Redmi has clear edges and uniform lighting (on fakes often blurred or offset).
- 🎨 Color of the case: Xiaomi uses unique shades (such as Midnight Black or Ocean Blue) that cannot be accurately replicated.
- 🔊 Speakers: Original smartphones have stereo speakers with support for Dolby Atmos. For fakes, the sound is often monophonic or distorted.
- 🔋 Battery: The original battery has a holographic sticker with QR-The code that leads to Xiaomi's website, the copies either don't have a sticker or it leads to a third-party resource.
📌 Expert test: Light a flashlight on the screen at an angle of 45°. Original displays AMOLED from Samsung or BOE They do not have the “moir effect” (rainbow divorces), whereas for fakes it is almost always manifested.