Have you bought a used Xiaomi Redmi and want to make sure that the seller did not cheat with the specifications? Or are you planning to update the firmware but do not know which chipset is installed in your model? Verifying the processor on Redmi smartphones is easier than it seems. In this article, we will analyze all the available methods, from standard settings to hidden engineering menus and third-party utilities.
It's important to understand that the processor model directly affects performance, firmware compatibility, and even the cost of a phone. For example, the Redmi Note 10 Pro can be equipped with a Snapdragon 732G or Dimensity 1100 โ and these are fundamentally different devices in terms of capabilities. We will show how to avoid errors in the identification of the chipset and what to do if the data does not meet the official specifications.
Spoiler: You don't need root rights or disassembly of the phone. All methods are safe and work on all versions of MIUI (including MIUI 14 and HyperOS), starting with the simplest of them all: built-in tools.
1.CPU verification through Xiaomi settings
The quickest way is to look at the standard About Phone menu, which is suitable for all Redmi models, including the Redmi 9A, Note 11 Pro+ and flagship series.
- Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen).
- Scroll down and select the About Phone section.
- Tap on All Features (or General Information in older versions of MIUI).
- Find the processor line or processor model.
Here you'll see the name of the chipset, like Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 or MediaTek Helio G96. But there's a caveat: some firmware may not have that string or only display core frequency (like 2.0 GHz). If so, move on to the next method.
โ ๏ธ Note: On phones with custom firmware (such as LineageOS), the data in this menu may not be correct. In this case, use third-party applications (see section 3).
Check the MIUI version in About Phone | Update your firmware to the latest stable version |Reboot your phone and try again |Use alternative methods (see below)
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2. Engineering menu: Hidden data about iron
If the standard settings didn't show the CPU model, you can go to the engineering menu, which works on all Xiaomi Redmis, but requires you to type in a special code.
- Open the phone (calling) application.
- Enter the combination: ##4636##
- In the menu that opens, select Phone Information.
- Scroll down to the Hardware Information block.
Here you will find detailed data, including:
- ๐น Processor model (e.g, msm8953 For Snapdragon 625)
- ๐น Architecture (ARMv8, ARMv7)
- ๐น Number of kernels and their frequency
- ๐น GPU (For example, Adreno 506)
The codes for Qualcomm and MediaTek processors are often encrypted, and to decrypt them, use the table below:
| Code on the engineering menu | The real name of the chipset | Redmi models with this processor |
|---|---|---|
| msm8953 | Snapdragon 625 | Redmi Note 5, Redmi 5 Plus |
| msm8998 | Snapdragon 835 | Xiaomi Mi 6 (not Redmi, but dating) |
| mt6768 | Helio G90T | Redmi Note 8 Pro, Redmi 10X 5G |
| mt6877 | Dimensity 900 | Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G |
โ ๏ธ Note: Not all combinations of engineering menus work on the MIUI If the code didnโt work, try entering ##225##, which is an alternative path to hardware information.
Qualcomm Snapdragon|MediaTek Helio|MediaTek Dimensity|I don't know.|Other-->
3. Diagnostic applications: CPU-Z and AIDA64
If you want the most detailed data on the processor (including process, supported instructions and benchmark), install specialized utilities.
CPU-Z (Free version)
- ๐ฒ Download: Google Play
- ๐ After installation, open the SoC tab (System on Chip:
AIDA64 (paid, but there is trial)
- ๐ฒ Download: Google Play
- ๐ Go to the CPU section. In addition to basic information, AIDA64 show:
Important: If the app displays a processor that doesn't match your Redmi model (e.g., the Snapdragon 660 instead of the 665), this may indicate a fake or unofficial firmware. IMEI phone through IMEI.info.
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If you are buying a used Xiaomi Redmi, ask the seller to install the CPU-Z and send a screenshot of the SoC section. This will help to avoid cheating with the characteristics.
4. Verification through ADB: for advanced users
If you have access to a computer, you can find out the processor model through the Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which is useful if the phone is not switched on or locked.
- Download and install Googleโs Platform Tools.
- Connect Redmi to your PC via USB (enable USB debugging in the developer settings).
- Open the command line in the adb.exe folder and type:
adb shell cat /proc/cpuinfoIn the conclusion, find the Hardware string โ it contains the processor code (for example, qcom for Qualcomm or mt6765 for Helio P35).
adb shell getprop ro.product.cpu.abiThis command will return the architecture (e.g. arm64-v8a) and may also give a chipset model in some firmware.
โ ๏ธ Note: On phones with a blocked bootloader (bootloader) some ADB-In this case, unlock the bootloader through the official tool Xiaomi.
What if the ADB does not recognize the device?
5. Xiaomi Redmi processor comparison: which is better?
Now that you know the model of your chipset, it's helpful to see what it's capable of. In the table below, we've compared popular Redmi processors by key parameters:
| Processor | Process technology (nm) | Cores (GHz) | GPU | Redmi models | Benchmark (AnTuTu v9) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snapdragon 665 | 11 | 4x2.0 + 4x1.8 | Adreno 610 | Redmi Note 8, Redmi 9 | ~180 000 |
| Helio G90T | 12 | 2x2.05 + 6x2.0 | Mali-G76 MC4 | Redmi Note 8 Pro | ~280 000 |
| Snapdragon 732G | 8 | 2x2.3 + 6x1.8 | Adreno 618 | Redmi Note 10 Pro | ~330 000 |
| Dimensity 1100 | 6 | 4x2.6 + 4x2.0 | Mali-G77 MC9 | Redmi Note 11T Pro+ | ~550 000 |
The table shows that Dimensity and the 700-series Snapdragon are significantly superior to budget chipsets in performance, but for everyday tasks (social networks, video, light games) will suffice and Helio G90T or Snapdragon 665.
If youโre choosing between two Redmi models with different processors, focus on:
- ๐ฎ Games: Dimensity 1100 or Snapdragon 732G Genshin Impact is on the medium settings, while Helio is on the medium settings. G88 will slow down.
- ๐ธ Camera: Chipsets from ISP (For example, Snapdragon 7xx) Better to process photos in low light conditions.
- ๐ Energy efficiency: 6nm processors (like Dimensity 1100) heat less and keep a charge longer.
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All other things being equal, it is better to choose a smartphone with a processor on a more modern process technology (for example, 6 nm instead of 12 nm) - this guarantees better performance and less heating.
6. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them
When checking the processor on Xiaomi Redmi, users often face typical problems.
โ Error 1: The settings show the wrong model
If the phone specifies a processor that is not in the official specifications of the model (for example, the Snapdragon 865 in the Redmi Note 9), this is a sign:
- ๐ Fake phone (often found in "gray" vendors).
- ๐ ๏ธ Unofficial firmware with altered data.
Solution: Check the IMEI through IMEI.info or compare the serial number to the data on the box.
โ Error 2: The Menu will not open.
Some firmware (especially Chinese) have blocked code #4636##.
- ๐ง Enter ##225## (alternative path to hardware information).
- ๐ฑ Use the Device Info app.
โ Error 3: Apps show different data
If CPU-Z and AIDA64 are conflicting, the reasons may be:
- ๐ Firmware conflict (e.g., ported) MIUI from another device).
- ๐งช Beta version of software with unstable data.
Solution: Reset your phone to factory settings or reflash it through Fastboot.
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Before buying used Xiaomi Redmi, check the processor through CPU-Z and check the data with the official Xiaomi website. Discrepancies are a reason to abandon the deal.