How to find out what processor is in the Xiaomi phone: all the ways

You bought a used Xiaomi and you want to make sure that the seller didn't cheat with the specs, or you plan to upgrade the firmware but you don't know if it's compatible with your chipset, or maybe you're just curious what processor is hiding under the body of your Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5?

You can define the processor model on Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi, POCO and Black Shark sub-brands) in several ways, from standard settings to hidden engineering menus. In this article, we will discuss all current methods, including those that work even on locked or defective devices, and you will learn why sometimes the data on the processor can differ from the official specifications and how to check this.

1. Through the standard Android settings

The easiest way is to look at the device information. It doesn’t require third-party apps to be installed and works on all Xiaomi smartphones regardless of the MIUI version.

Open the Settings menu → About the phone. Here you are interested in two sections:

• 📱 Device model – shows an exact modification (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro) 5G or POCO F4 GT). You can find official features on the Xiaomi website.
• 🛠️ The processor is the actual chipset model (e.g. Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 or MediaTek Dimensity 9000). On some firmware, this item may be called "Hardware Information" or "Chipset".

If there is no Processor, try tapping 5-7 times on the MIUI Version string, which will sometimes unlock additional technical information. On older versions of MIUI (up to 12), CPU data may have been hidden in the All Specifications section.

⚠️ Note: Some custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS or Pixel Experience) may display processor information incorrectly, in which case use alternative methods from the following sections.

💡

If you have a Xiaomi global firmware, the CPU name may be duplicated in Chinese (e.g., "865" instead of "Snapdragon 865").

2. using the CPU-Z application

CPU-Z is the gold standard for testing hardware performance, and it shows not only the model of the processor, but also its clock speed, core count, architecture, and even real-time temperature.

How to use:

1. Download CPU-Z from Google Play (or AppGallery if you have Huawei).
2. Open the app and go to the SoC (System on Chip) tab.
3. In the Model bar, you will see an exact model of the processor (e.g., MediaTek Helio G96).
4. The CPU tab shows the number of cores, architecture (such as ARMv8), and the current frequency.

The advantage of the CPU-Z is that it works even on non-rooted devices and shows data that is not always available in standard settings, for example, here you can see revision of the processor (for example, Snapdragon 732G vs 732G-AE), which is critical when choosing custom firmware.

Make sure the processor model matches the official specifications

Check the temperature of the CPU (normal to 50 ° C in plain)

Contrast the number of nuclei and their frequency

Pay attention to the revision of the chipset (if any)

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3. via the engineering menu (#4636##)

The Android Hidden Engineering Menu contains advanced hardware data, including CPU information, to open it:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the combination: ##4636## (some Xiaomi models may require ##225###).
3. Select Phone Information (or Hardware Information).

Here you will find:

• 📊 CPU Use - real-time processor loading.
• 🔧 Hardware is a chipset model (for example, msm8998 For Snapdragon 835).
• 📡 Network type – supported communication standards (important for verification) 5G-compatibility).

On some Xiaomi devices, the engineering menu may be blocked.

• Try entering the code through the Dial number application in Air Mode.
• Use the alternative code ##6484## (to test hardware components).

⚠️ Warning: Do not change the settings in the engineering menu unless you know their purpose! For example, disabling the processor cores (CPU Disable) may cause unstable operation or overheating.

Qualcomm Snapdragon

MediaTek Dimensity/Helio

Apple (if you have an iPhone, how are you here?)

Other (specify in the comments)

I don't know, that's why I'm looking.

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4. Through ADB-Teams (for advanced users)

If you have access to a computer, you can learn the processor model through ADB (Android Debug Bridge.This method is useful when the phone is not turning on or the screen is not working, but USB-debugging was included earlier.

Instructions:

1. Install ADB Tools on your PC.
2. Connect the phone to your computer and allow debugging over USB.
3. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb shell cat /proc/cpuinfo

In the output, look for a Hardware string (e.g., Hardware: qcom,msmnile is Snapdragon 660) or Processor.

An alternative command to get full information about the chipset:

adb shell getprop ro.product.cpu.abi

This will show the processor architecture (e.g., arm64-v8a for 64-bit chips).

For devices with MediaTek processors, the following command is useful:

adb shell cat /proc/mtk_cpuinfo

5. by phone model on the official website

If the phone is not turned on or you want to check the data with official specifications, use the Xiaomi database:

1. Find a model of your device (written on the box or under the battery if removable). For example, the M2012K11AG for the Redmi Note 9 Pro.
2. Go to mi.com or MIUI Doc.
3. Type the model into a search or find it in the Support → Specifications section.

Pay attention to:

• 🔍 Regional differences: The same Redmi Note 10 may have different processors in India (Snapdragon 678) and the global version (Helio) G88).
• 📦 Modifications: For example, POCO X3 Pro released with Snapdragon 860 and Snapdragon 855+ — externally identical.

If there is no data on the site, check the databases of third-party services:

• GSMArena – detailed specifications with photos of motherboards.
• Kimovil – Comparison of characteristics by region.
• DeviceInfo – Information about IMEI.

💡

If the data on the processor in the phone and on the official website do not match, this can mean: 1) a fake, 2) a replacement motherboard, 3) custom firmware with the changed data. In this case, check the IMEI through *#06# and check with the box.

6.Using IMEI (if the phone is not turned on)

If your smartphone doesn’t respond to the power button, but you have a box or check, you can recognize the processor model by IMEI. This method works even for “bricks” (devices with damaged firmware).

How to check:

1. Find the IMEI on the box, check or under the battery (if removable) and you can find it by typing it on another phone *#06#.
2. Go to IMEI.info or SND Deep Info.
3. Enter IMEI and get the full specs, including the processor model.

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ It does not work for devices with fake IMEI (For example, after an unofficial repair).
• ❌ On some sites, the data may be outdated (e.g., for new Xiaomi 14 models).
• ✅ It is used to verify the originality of the device (if the device is IMEI matching).

Alternatively, services by model number (e.g. M2007J3SC for Redmi Note 9S) type it into a search engine with a Xiaomi [model] CPU, and you will find specifications on the 4PDA or XDA Developers forums.

7. Physical check (disassembly of the phone)

This is an extreme method if the software is not available. The processor on Xiaomi is located on the motherboard and is usually closed with a metal screen.

1. Remove the back cover (on most models it is glued; use a mediator and hair dryer to soften the glue).
2. Unscrew the screws holding the metal screen (usually 4-6 pieces).
3. On the board, find a large chip labeled (e.g., SDM732G for the Snapdragon 732G or MT6893 for the Dimensity 1200).

Risks of the method:

• ⚠️ Loss of leakage (especially critical for protected devices) IP53, For example, the Redmi Note 11 Pro+).
• ⚠️ Damage to plumes (on Xiaomi, battery plumes or cameras often break).
• ⚠️ Failure of the warranty (if the device is warranty, it is better to contact the service center).

If you decide to disassemble, take a picture of the location of all the cables and screws before disconnecting. For models with a battery on adhesive (for example, POCO F5), use a plastic tool to avoid damaging the battery.

💡

On Xiaomi boards, the processor is often located next to RAM (SK Hynix or Samsung chips). If you see the words Qualcomm or MediaTek, it is definitely a CPU.

Frequent Questions (FAQ)