Owners of Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 (codenamed whyred) often have to check the type of display installed — especially after repairing or buying a used device. The reasons range from suspicions of replacing the original screen with a cheap copy to want to understand why the picture became worse after replacing. The display model directly affects image quality, color reproduction and even battery life — so it is important to be able to identify it.
The difficulty is that the Redmi Note 5 came with two types of screens: IPS LCD (in most devices) and AMOLED (in rare modifications for some regions), and the market is full of non-original parts that are almost indistinguishable from branded ones. In this article, we will discuss 5 reliable ways to determine the display model, from software methods to visual analysis.
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1. Check through phone settings (no root)
The easiest way is to look at system information. Unfortunately, MIUI doesn't always display the display model directly, but there are workarounds.
Open Settings → Phone → All specs. Screen can specify the resolution (2160×1080 for Redmi Note 5) and matrix type. However, more often than not, it just says "LCD" or "AMOLED" without specifying. If you see "Full HD+ IPS" is the original screen from Sharp or JDI. The inscription "SAMSUNG AMOLED" means a rare modification with a matrix from Samsung Display.
If you don’t have enough information, use the hidden engineering menu:
- Open the phone app.
- Enter the code ##4636##
- Go to the tab "Device Information".
- Scroll to the Hardware block – there may be a “Display Panel” line with the manufacturer’s code (e.g., the “Hardware” block, NT35695 for IPS or SDC_AMOLED for AMOLED).
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If the engineering menu doesn’t open, try the #284## code, which displays a display test, which sometimes specifies the matrix model.
⚠️ Attention: Some firmware has blocked the engineering menu, in which case move on to the next method.
2. Use of specialized applications
If the system settings don't give you answers, software will help.
- 📱 CPU-Z — It shows the matrix model in the "Device" section. NT35695 (original IPS) or SDC_AM633VF01 (AMOLED).
- 🔍 AIDA64 — The "Display" section displays the manufacturer and the resolution. Original screens are usually signed as Sharp, JDI Samsung.
- 🎨 Screen Test - tests color reproduction and contrast. AMOLED The black color will be perfectly black (pixels off) and IPS — greyish.
The critical feature of copy is that if CPU-Z or AIDA64 has "unknown" or "generic" instead of the matrix code, that's 90% fake. The original displays are always clearly labeled.
Example of code decryption:
| Matrix code | Type | Manufacturer | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| NT35695 | IPS LCD | Novatek (original) | Standard for Redmi Note 5 |
| SDC_AM633VF01 | AMOLED | Samsung Display | Rare version for some regions |
| HX83112A | IPS LCD | Himax (copy) | It is often found in cheap replications. |
| ILI9881 | IPS LCD | Ilitek (copy) | Poor quality of color reproduction |
3. Visual tests: how to distinguish IPS from AMOLED
If the software methods didn't work, do manual tests, which won't give you an exact model, but they will help you distinguish IPS from AMOLED and detect forgery.
Test 1: Viewing angles
Look at the screen at 45-60° angles. On IPS, the colors will dim and invert (white will turn bluish), and on AMOLED, the picture will remain bright. Copies of IPS often have even more severe distortions.
Test 2: Black Screen
Turn on a black background (e.g. in the Screen Test app or wallpaper) on AMOLED, the screen will be completely black (pixels off) and on IPS, grayish due to backlighting. Copies of IPS may glow unevenly (visible "dirty" backlighting).
Test 3: Color transitions
Open the gradient (for example, in a photo with a smooth transition from red to green). On AMOLED, the transitions will be smooth, and on IPS (especially copies) there will be stripes - this is a defect in the binning of fake matrices.
How to check the light for uniformity?
4.Severing the phone: Physically checking the display
If the phone is already disassembled (for example, after repair), check the back of the display module.
- 🏷️ Serial number sticker (usually white or yellow) with manufacturer code (Sharp, JDI, Samsung).
- 🔧 Date of production (format) YYWW, For example, 1825 – 25th week of 2018).
- 📏 The thickness of the plume: the originals it is thinner (about 0.3 mm), copies - thicker (0.5 mm and more).
Examples of marking of original screens:
- The Sharp LTD050P39000 is the standard IPS for the Redmi Note 5.
- The JDI TXD4D28VM01AA is an alternative IPS from Japan Display.
- SDC AM633VF01 is Samsung's AMOLED.
⚠️ Attention: Copies often have fake stickers! Check the quality of the print: the original text is clear, without blurring, and the glue does not turn yellow over time.
Check the sticker on the back of the display|Check the date of production (should coincide with the year of release of the phone)|Measure the thickness of the plume (original is thinner)|Contrast the matrix code with the table above-->
Verification through service centers and databases
If independent methods have not yielded results, refer to official sources:
- Xiaomi Service Center: Provide the phone’s IMEI (see: *#06#) – they will check the repair history and originality of the parts on the database.
- Online databases: 🌐 Kimovil – enter the phone model, there is data about the original displays. 🌐 GSMArena – spec spec spec spec specifies the matrix type for your Redmi Note 5 revision.
Forums
- 💬 4PDA — Redmi Note 5 theme features photos of original screens and discussions of copies.
- 💬 MIUI Superforum – there is a section on repairs with matrix comparisons.
⚠️ Note: In service centers, non-Xiaomi (such as small workshops) may claim that the display is original, when in fact it is a quality copy. Always require a photo of the sticker from the matrix or a check for the part with the manufacturer's name.
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The only 100% way to know the display model is to disassemble the phone and check the markings against the original matrix database, and software methods only give indirect indications.
Comparison of original and non-original display: key differences
To see if you should change the screen, compare the following:
| Parameter | Original IPS (Sharp/JDI) | Original AMOLED (Samsung) | Copy of IPS (Himax/Ilitek) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brightness (thread) | 450–500 | 600+ | 300–350 |
| Contrast | 1000:1 | ∞:1 (true black) | 500:1 |
| Color coverage | 95% sRGB | 110% sRGB | 70–80% sRGB |
| Viewing angles | Good ones (up to 170°) | Excellent (178°) | Bad (color inversion at 45°) |
| Term of service | 3-5 years | 2-4 years (pixel burnout) | 1-2 years (degradation of illumination) |
If you have noticed after the replacement of the display:
- 🔳 Yellow on white background – a sign of a cheap copy with poor color reproduction.
- 🌡️ Uneven screen heating – original matrices warm evenly, copies often overheat in one corner.
- 🔋 Increased battery consumption – non-original screens consume 10-20% more power.
What should I do if I find a copy?
If the test showed that the display is not original, you have several options:
- Contact the service: 🔧 If the phone is warranty, request a replacement with the original matrix (under the law "On consumer protection"). 💰 If the warranty is over, specify the cost of the original screen – for the Redmi Note 5, it is ~3 000–5 000 ₽ (2026).
- Replace yourself: 🛒 Buy the original matrix on AliExpress (look for sellers rated 98%+) or in trusted stores (for example, MegaDetail). 🔨 To replace you will need: a hair dryer (for peeling off), a sucker, plastic shoulder blades and a screwdriver. T3.
Leave it as it is.
- ⚖️ If the copy works stably, but the image quality is satisfied, you can not spend money on a replacement.
- 📉 Note that non-original screens fail faster (average term is 1.5-2 years).