Original Xiaomi or fake? 10 ways to check with photos and instructions

Buying Xiaomi equipment in the secondary market or in unofficial stores always carries the risk of running into a fake. According to Counterpoint Research, up to 15% of Xiaomi smartphones in the Russian market in 2023 were counterfeit — and these are only official statistics. from the flagship Redmi Note 12 Pro+ before budget Poco M5 And even the Mi Band 8 smartwatch.

And the scammers are not standing still: while forgeries used to be cheap plastic and MIUI translation curves, today copies are almost indistinguishable from the originals. In this article, the current 2026 verification methods that work for smartphones, headphones, routers and other Xiaomi equipment, we will analyze both visual features and software methods, including hidden menus and official brand services.

We will focus on new schemes of deception that have appeared in the last 6 months: fakes with swapped IMEIs, “gray” devices with twin firmware and even copies with original boxes (but unoriginal content).

⚠️ Important: None of the methods gives 100% guarantee - fraudsters are constantly improving fakes. The best option is to buy in official Xiaomi stores or from trusted retailers (Svyaznoy, M. Video, Citilink.

1. Packaging check: 7 signs of forgery

The box is the first layer of protection that scammers copy the worst. Xiaomi's original packaging has several unique elements that are difficult to fake without specialized hardware.

Start with the box material: the original is made of thick cardboard with a matte coating that does not shine in the light. Counterfeiters often use glossy cardboard or cheap paper that crumples with a light press. Notice the logo print: the original is clear, without blurred edges, and the letters MI are in the right proportion (height to width is 1:1.2).

Now take a magnifying glass and consider the following elements:

• 🔍 Serial number on the sticker: must match the number under the battery (for smartphones) and in the system settings. on fakes, often stick random numbers or repeat one number on the batch of devices.
• 📦 Barcode: check it through the Barcode Scanner app. The original code should lead to Xiaomi's official website with model information.
• 🖼️ Holographic sticker: The original boxes of Redmi and Poco smartphones have a hologram that changes color when tilted, which is either missing from the fakes, or it's a regular sticker with no effect.
• 📏 Box sizes: Compare with the official model settings on mi.com. Counterfeitings often have different dimensions (e.g. Redmi Note box) 12 original — 165×80×35 Mm, copies can be on 5-10 wider).

⚠️ Warning: Scammers have learned to fake even holograms! if the box is perfect, but the price is too low (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra for 30 000) ₽ instead of 90,000 ₽), This is a reason to check it out. Use the methods in the following sections.

2. Visual inspection of the device: details that give off a fake

Even if the box looks perfect, the device itself could be a copy. Take a magnifying glass and carefully examine the following elements:

Logo on the back: on the original Xiaomi smartphones, it's laser-engraved and lightly recessed into the body. Fakes often glue the logo or paint it with a rubbing alcohol napkin. Stick your nail over the logo, you won't feel the edges protruding on the original.

Pay attention to the chamber module:

• 📸 The original Redmi Note 12 Pro+ Xiaomi 13T The glass of the camera is oleophobic, it repels greasy finger marks. On fakes, the glass quickly becomes stained.
• 🔎 Count the number of lenses: the original Xiaomi 13 Pros. 4 (basic + ultra-wide-angle + telephoto + depth sensor, often in counterfeits 2-3 lenses, and one of them can be a dummy.
• 💡 Backlight around the camera: on the original devices, it's uniform, without yellowness. Counterfeiting is often unevenly illuminated with blue or green.

⚠️ Warning: Fraudsters have started using original cases from defective Xiaomi devices, installing cheap components in them. If everything looks perfect, but the device behaves strangely (for example, quickly discharges or overheats), check it through official services (section 5).

3. IMEI and serial number check: official Xiaomi services

The most reliable way to verify this is to use unique device identifiers, and Xiaomi has two official services to do this:

1. Verification IMEI: Type *#06# on the phone keyboard and the screen will show a 15-digit code (or two codes for two-digit devices). SIM-Go to imei.info and enter this code. The results should indicate: 📱 Model of device (e.g, 22101316C — This is a Redmi Note 12 Pro. 5G) 🏭 Manufacturer: Xiaomi Communications Co Ltd 📅 Release date (must coincide with the date on the box)

If the site shows another model or manufacturer, you are a fake.

Checking the serial number

The serial number is listed on the box and under the battery (for smartphones with a removable back cover), enter it on the official Xiaomi Verify website. The system should show the model, activation date and warranty status. If an Invalid serial number error is issued, the device is unoriginal.

⚠️ The fraudsters have learned to fake and IMEI, If the data match but the price is too low, check the device via fastboot (section 6).

📌 Important for Chinese devices: If you buy a smartphone on AliExpress or Taobao, check if it is a "gray" import. IMEI, They may not support Russian frequencies. LTE Or have Chinese firmware without Google services.

4. Analysis of firmware and hidden menus: how to detect a fake software

Even if the device looks like the original, the "stuffing" may be completely different.

MIUI version and system core:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version. On the original devices, the version must match the model. For example, for the Redmi Note 12 Pro+, the current firmware for June 2026 is MIUI 14.0.8 (Android 13).
2. Check the kernel version: Settings → About Phone → The kernel version. The original version starts with 4.19.157 or 5.10.66 (depending on the model). Counterfeiters often use outdated cores like 3.18.35.

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If the device pretends to be a flagship (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra), but in benchmarks shows the results of a budget smartphone, it is 100% fake.

7. Check through official Xiaomi services: instruction 2026

Xiaomi regularly updates its anti-counterfeiting tools, and the current ways to check them are as of June 2026:

1. Xiaomi Verify service:

1. Enter the serial number (SN) from the box or from settings (Settings → About Phone → General Information).
2. If the device is original, the system will show the model, activation date and warranty status.
3. ⚠️ If this device does not exist, you are facing a fake or “gray” import with a substituted SN.

2. Mi Authenticity Check app (Android only):

Checking through fastboot (for advanced users):

Connect the device to the PC, switch to fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power) and execute the command:

fastboot getvar all

The original device will return the settings with mention of Xiaomi and the correct model, a fake can return data from another manufacturer or an unknown command error.

8 Where NOT to buy Xiaomi: a blacklist of scammers

According to the Russian Society for Consumer Protection, in 2023, Xiaomi fakes were sold through the following channels:

• 🌍 Chinese Marketplaces: AliExpress, Taobao, 1688.com. The risk of a fake is 30%, even for highly rated sellers.

⚠️ Warning: Fraudsters use psychological tricks to lull alertness:

• “Only today is 50% off!” – the original Xiaomis are not sold at 50% off even at sales.
• “It’s a product on display, so it’s cheaper” – in official stores, the devices on display are sold at a minimum discount (5-10%).
• "Buyed abroad, so without a box" - without a box and a check, it is impossible to verify the originality.

💡 Advice: If the seller refuses to provide:

• Photo of the box with the serial number.
• Photo by IMEI (screen #06#).
• Check or warranty card.

- don't buy his device. 99% chance of being faked.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi vetting