Replacing the screen on Xiaomi smartphones is one of the most sought-after services in service centers. But what if you bought the phone from hand, repaired it in a questionable workshop or simply doubt the authenticity of the display? Fake screens not only worsen the user experience (colors, sensitivity, brightness), but can cause overheating, rapid battery discharge or even damage to the motherboard due to incompatibility of controllers.
In this article, we will discuss 7 proven ways to distinguish the original screen Xiaomi from a copy — from visual inspection to hidden diagnostic commands. You will learn what details should alert when buying a used phone, how to check the screen by serial number and what to do if you find a fake, and at the end — FAQ with answers to the most common questions.
1. Visual inspection: 5 signs of a fake screen
Xiaomi’s original screens (especially the Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO F3/F4, Mi 11/12) have clear features that are difficult to fake without losing quality.
- 🔍 Logo and inscriptions: On the original screen, the Mi or Redmi logo is flat under glass, without blurring. Copies often have uneven letter edges or shift relative to the center.
- 🎨 Color rendering: Turn on the phone and compare colors with another Xiaomi device (or a photo of the reference screen).Fakes usually have a cold hue or excess saturation.
- ☀️ Brightness and backlight: At maximum brightness, the original screen should not "glow" at the edges (backlight bleed effect.
- 👆 Touch sensitivity: Do a responsiveness test -- knock fast on the edges of the screen. The original display responds instantly, fakes can have a 50-100ms delay.
- 🔧 Fixing to the body: The original screen fits tightly, without gaps. If there is dust or glue between the display and the frame, this is a sign of replacement.
⚠️ Attention: Some fakes are visually indistinguishable from the original. If in doubt, proceed to the following methods of verification.
Serial number and IMEI check
Each original Xiaomi screen has a unique serial number that must match the data in the system.
- Go to Settings → About the phone → All the characteristics.
- Find the IMEI strings and the Serial Number (or SN).
- Compare them with the numbers on the box and under the battery (if the phone is collapsible).
If the numbers don't match, the screen is 100% unoriginal, and you can also check the IMEI through the official Xiaomi service:
- 🌐 Go to the site. mi.com/global/verify.
- 📱 Enter. IMEI your phone.
- 🔍 If the system shows an error or the data does not match the model, the screen is replaced.
Important: The serial number of the screen and phone may differ, but if the system displays a display model that doesn’t match your device (e.g., Redmi Note 10 instead of POCO X3), it’s a clear sign of a fake.
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If the phone doesn’t turn on, the screen serial number can be found on the sticker under the battery or on the display plume (you need to disassemble the device).
3. Diagnostic codes for screen check
Xiaomi hides service menus where you can check the originality of the components.
- Open the Phone app.
- Enter the combination: ##4636## or (for new models): ##6484###
- Select Hardware info or Display.
In the menu that opens, pay attention to:
- 📱 Model Name: Must match your phone model.
- 🔧 Display ID: The original screens have this. 16-a code starting with the letters T, S or D (for example, TFT_LCD_S6E3FA5_1080x2400). Fakes often have random sets of numbers.
- 🎯 Touch Panel: Touch screen manufacturer (e.g. Goodix, Synaptics) should be displayed. If it's empty or Unknown is indicated, the screen is not original.
⚠️ Note: Some firmware (e.g. custom) may have these menus blocked, in which case use alternative methods.
Model Name is the same as the phone |
Display ID starts with T/S/D|
Touch Panel listed (not Unknown) |
No errors in the Sensor Test section"-->
Color reproduction and calibration test
Xiaomi's original screens are factory calibrated, so the colors are displayed as accurately as possible.
- Download the Display Tester app (available on Google Play).
- Run the tests: 🎨 Color gradients: On the original screen, transitions are smooth, without banding). ⚪ White screen: Must be uniformly white, without yellow or bluish tint. ⚫ Black screen: At maximum brightness in the dark should not be light spots (blooming effect).
You can also use Read Mode (Settings → Display → Read Mode) on the original screen, the colors become warm but remain natural, and fakes often appear green or pink.
| Test | Original screen | Fake screen |
|---|---|---|
| Gradient gray | Smooth crossing without lanes | Visible bands (banding) |
| White background | Smooth, no shades. | yellowness |
| Black background | Deep black, no lights. | Bright spots around the edges |
| Reading mode | Warm natural tones | Green/pink hue |
5. Check through MIUI Test Mode (hidden menu)
MIUI has a hidden hardware testing menu that you can access without root permission.
- Open the Settings. → The phone.
- 5 times quickly tap on the item version of MIUI (the message will appear "You became a developer").
- Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
- Activate USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking.
- Connect your phone to your PC and type in the command line: adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.DevelopmentSettings
- In the menu, select Hardware Test → Display.
Flagships (Mi 12/13) are less likely to be faked because their screens are harder to copy.