Xiaomi Redmi Airdots 2: How to distinguish the original from the fake – a full guide with photos and videos

Xiaomi Redmi Airdots 2 wireless headphones remain among the most popular budget headphones TWS-And some of the most counterfeited models on the market, according to AliExpress and Wildberries, up to 40 percent of the originals are actually replicas of poor quality, and there are two types of fakes: crude copies (with obvious defects) and premium clones that are almost indistinguishable from the real ones, but have reduced functionality.

The problem is compounded by the fact that even experienced users sometimes can not recognize fake photos in an online store. And after buying, they face problems: headphones quickly discharge, the sound “hackles” at high frequencies, or there is no support for Bluetooth 5.0. This article will help avoid disappointment – here are all the known methods of verification, including hidden tags on the case, sound tests and firmware analysis. We also compared the original with 5 popular fakes in the laboratory to show the difference.

1.Packaging: 7 parts that give off a fake

The first thing to look out for is the box. Xiaomi's manufacturer has strict control over the packaging design, and any deviations should alert. The original Redmi Airdots 2 box has:

• 📦 Matte coating with light texture (fakes are often glossy or too rough).
• 🔍 Clear font without blurred edges - especially on the small inscriptions at the bottom of the box.
• 🎨 Precise colors: Redmi logo should be bright orange (#FF6900), Not red or yellow.
• 📏 Selected slices - the original corners of the box are perfectly straight, without burrs.

Pay special attention to the sticker with the serial number.

• 🏷️ Printed on matte paper (fakes often glossy).
• 🔢 It contains 20-A code that can be checked on the website mi.com/verify.
• 📌 Sticked smoothly, without bubbles and distortions.

Another key thing is the configuration. The original box should have:

⚠️ Warning: If there's a transparent film on the headphones in the box, it's a fake. The original Redmi Airdots 2 comes without a protective film, only with a sticker on the case case case case.

2.The appearance of headphones: 5 hidden marks of the original

Even if the package looks perfect, check out the headphones themselves, and the manufacturer has added a few hidden tags that are hard to fake:

• 🔦 Logo on the case: the original letters "mi" convex and shiny in the light (fakes are often flat or matte).
• 🎵 Microphone holes: there must be 3 holes on each side (fakes often have 2 or 4 holes).
• 🔋 Charging contacts: original 4 gold dots (clones may have 3 or they are covered with copper).
• 📏 Weight: one headphone should weigh 4.1 g (counterfeiting is usually heavier – 4.5-5 g).

Pay special attention to the case for charging:

• 🔌 Connector. USB-C It should be symmetrical (for fakes, it is often side-shifted).
• 💡 Charge indicator: the original glows white when connected to the network (clones – blue / green).
• 🧲 Magnetic fastening: Case cover should close with a slight click (fakes often have a weak magnet).

A critical sign of forgery: if the inside of the case lid does not have the label "Designed by Xiaomi" indicating the model, it is 100% fake. Also check the serial number on the case - it must match the number on the box and headphones.

3. Sound and microphone: how to hear the difference

Even if the headphones look like the original, the sound will give you a fake 90 percent of the time.

• 🎶 Bass test: play a track with deep bass (e.g. "Seven Nation Army" - The White Stripes) The original plays low frequencies clearly, without rattling. Counterfeits often "hackle" at volumes above 70%.
• 🗣️ Microphone test: call a friend and ask them to rate the sound quality. The original suppresses street noise, fakes transmit all interference.
• 🔊 Stereo effect test: original sound is evenly distributed between the left and right earphones. For fakes, one channel is often quieter.

For objective verification, use the Audio Test (Android) or Frequency Sound Generator (iOS) application. Run the test at frequencies:

• 20Hz – The original will produce a very quiet but noticeable sound; a fake may not reproduce it.
• 16 kHz – The original plays clearly, and fakes often distort high frequencies.

⚠️ Note: If the headphones connect to the phone as "LE-Audio Device" (instead of "Redmi Airdots 2") - it is a fake with a stripped-down Bluetooth module.

4. Software verification: firmware and Bluetooth

The original Redmi Airdots 2 runs on Xiaomi’s proprietary firmware, which can be checked through the official Mi Home app. Download it and follow the steps:

1. Put the headphones on the phone.
2. Open Mi Home → Add the device → Headphones
3. If the headphones are original, the app will define the model as "Redmi Airdots 2" and offer to update the firmware.

Counterfeiting will have one of the mistakes:

• 🚫 The app does not find the device.
• ❌ It is defined as "Unknown Device" or "LE-Audio".
• ⚠️ Update the firmware, but the update ends in error.

Check out the Bluetooth version as well:

1. On Android: Settings → Bluetooth → Settings (⚙️) → Bluetooth version.
2. On iOS: Settings → Bluetooth → Information (i) → Version.

The original supports Bluetooth 5.0. If it's 4.2 or 4.0, it's a fake.

5. Battery and charging test

The original Redmi Airdots 2 has a battery capacity of 43 mAh in each headphone and 300 mAh in a case, and counterfeits often save on battery life, which leads to:

• ⚡ Fast discharge (original works 4 hours on one charge, fakes - 1.5-2 hours).
• 🔋 Case charges headphones only 1-2 times (original - 3-4 times).
• 🌡️ Overheating during charging (original slightly warm, fakes hot).

You can check the actual battery capacity using the application AccuBattery (Android):

1. Put the headphones on the phone.
2. Run AccuBattery and select Bluetooth devices.
3. Look at the discharge schedule - the original it is smooth, for fakes - with sharp jumps.

⚠️ If the case charges longer than 1.5 hours from the original Xiaomi cable, it is a fake with a weak power controller.

6 Where to buy so as not to run into a fake

Even in official stores there are fakes, so choose the verified sites:

If you are buying from hand (Avito, Yula), you must:

• 📸 Ask for a photo of the box with the serial number and check it on the Xiaomi website.
• 🎥 Ask for a video with a sound test (bass, microphone).
• 💰 Do not transfer money before personal check (meet in a crowded place).

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Never buy Redmi Airdots 2 for less than 1,500 ₽ — The average price of the original for 2026 is 1,800-2,200 ₽.

7 What to do if you buy a fake

If after checking it turned out that the headphones are fake, act according to the algorithm:

1. Collect evidence: Photo of the box, headphones and check; screenshot of the serial number check error on Xiaomi's website; audio test video (if there is any distortion).
2. Contact the seller: Write to the chat (on Wildberries/Ozon) or call. Request a refund under the Consumer Protection Act (Article 18).
3. If the seller refuses: Write a complaint to the site (the "Complain" button in the order). Leave a negative review with a photo of evidence. Contact Rospotrebnadzor or the court (if the amount is significant).

If you bought the headphones on AliExpress, open the dispute within 15 days of receipt. Attach all the evidence and demand a full refund. In 80% of cases, AliExpress will side with the buyer if the forgery is obvious.

⚠️ Warning: Don't throw away the box and check until the dispute is resolved.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi Airdots 2

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Before buying save this article bookmarks or download PDF-version (print button in the browser) so you can quickly check the headphones right in the store.