How to distinguish the global version of Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus from the Chinese: 7 proven ways

Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus (codenamed vince) is still a popular budget smartphone due to its price-to-performance ratio, but when buying a used device or importing from China, many people face the problem of how to distinguish the global version from the Chinese version? This difference is critical – it depends on supported languages, the availability of Google services, the possibility of official updates and even compatibility with local networks of operators.

Chinese versions (China ROM) are often cheaper to sell, but have a number of limitations: no Google Play Services, low-quality Cyrillic fonts, binding to Chinese servers and firmware difficulties. Global ROMs are free of these problems, but they are forged by refashioning Chinese devices with unofficial builds. In this article, we will discuss 7 reliable ways to identify the original version of Redmi 5 Plus - from visual markers to hidden technical data.

1. Checking the box and marking of the device

The fastest way to distinguish between versions is to examine the original packaging and stickers on the back of the smartphone, with the manufacturer putting a label that clearly indicates the region:

• 📦 Inscriptions on the box: Global versions have English instructions and the label "Global Version". Chinese characters and inscriptions).
• 🏷️ Sticker under battery: Look for Model Number.Global version — MZE7 or MZB6348IN (for India), Chinese — MEE7.
• 🔍 Barcode: The first 3 digits after the country of origin (e.g., "694") indicate China. Global versions may have codes "471" (Taiwan) or "890" (India).

Note the color tags on the box: Global versions often use a blue or green sticker labeled "Global", while Chinese versions are labeled red.

⚠️ Warning: Fraudsters can fake boxes! If the package looks suspicious (unsuited, faded colors, missing Xiaomi hologram), check the device in other ways.

2. firmware analysis through smartphone settings

If your smartphone is already on and on, check the firmware version through the settings menu, which works even without an internet connection:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.
2. Click on the MIUI version line several times until more information appears.
3. Look for the Stable version or Developer version field with the region.

Decoding of symbols:

Critical: Chinese firmware is often forged globally by flashing, and if MIUI says "Global" but no Google services, it's 100% fake.

Verification of IMEI and serial number

The unique device identifiers, the IMEI and the serial number, contain information about the region of production, and can be verified in two ways:

• 📱 Phone: Dial *#06# and will appear on the screen IMEI. It can also be found in the settings. → The phone. → General information.
• 🖥️ On Xiaomi’s website: Go to the official checkout page and enter the serial number from the sticker under the battery.

IMEI transcript for Redmi 5 Plus:

• First 8 digits (TAC-code) - device model. For global version: 86952503 or 86376903.
• The last 6 digits are the serial number where the region is encrypted, such as codes 01, 02 for China, 05, 06 for global markets.

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If the seller refuses to provide the IMEI for inspection or a sticker under the battery erased – this is a reason to doubt the legality of the device.

4.Diagnostics through Engineering Menu and ADB

For power users, there is a method of checking through an engineering menu or ADB commands. This allows you to identify even re-flashed devices.

Method 1: Engineering menu

1. Open the Phone app and dial ##4636##.
2. Go to the tab Information about the phone.
3. Check the Baseband version and Build number lines. In the global versions, they contain the words "global" or"miui_global".

Method 2: ADB-commands (requires PC and enabled debugging on the USB):

adb shell getprop ro.product.model


adb shell getprop ro.miui.region

Answers:

• ro.product.model = Redmi 5 Plus + ro.miui.region = china → Chinese version.
• ro.product.model = Redmi Note 5 + ro.miui.region = global → global (in some regions Redmi 5 Plus was sold as Note 5).

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB This method can cause a warranty reset if the device has been blocked by the manufacturer!

5. Visual differences: camera, antennas and buttons

The Chinese and global versions of the Redmi 5 Plus have several physical differences that are noticeable when viewed closely:

• 📸 Camera module: In the global version, the camera lens is slightly recessed in the body, while in the Chinese version it stands at 0.3-0.5 mm.
• 📶 Antenna lines: The back of the global version of the antenna lines are thinner and symmetrical. In the Chinese version, they are wider and may have irregular gaps.
• 🔘 Lock button: Global versions have a grooved texture, Chinese – smooth.

Also pay attention to the color options:

• Chinese versions were produced in black, gold, pink and blue.
• Global - only in black, gold, pink and gray (blue is absent).

6. Verify compatibility with Google Play and services

The most reliable feature of the global version is the Google services out of the box, and you can check this out in the following ways:

Launch the Google Play Store app|Try to log into your Google account|Make sure Google Play Services works (in the app settings)|Check if Google Chrome and YouTube are available in pre-installed programs-->

If at least one of the points is not fulfilled, before you:

• 🔄 Chinese version with custom firmware (e.g. xiaomi.eu or LineageOS).
• 🚫 Fake device (a clone under the Xiaomi brand).

Note the quality of the Cyrillic display: in the original global firmware, fonts support all languages, while in Chinese the letter “e” and some characters can be displayed curved or replaced with the Latin alphabet.

Hardware diagnostics: chipset and communication modules

Chinese and global versions of Redmi 5 Plus can differ in hardware filling, which affects the work in Russian networks:

You can check the supported frequencies through the Network Signal Guru app (available on Google Play). If the Band 20 (800 MHz) is not on the list, the device will not work consistently with Russian operators (MTS, Beeline, Tele2).

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Even if the seller claims that the smartphone is “striped for the global version”, the absence of the Band 20 means that the hardware is a Chinese modification.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi versions 5 Plus