How to find out the manufacturer of the matrix on the smartphone Xiaomi

Buyers of Xiaomi’s budget and mid-range smartphones often face what’s known as a “display lottery.”This is a phenomenon where a manufacturer installs screens from different vendors into the same device model, and they can vary slightly in color reproduction or power consumption. For many enthusiasts and perfectionists, it’s critical to know which panel their gadget is equipped with. In the Redmi Note and budget Poco lines, this is especially common, causing controversy on forums.

There are several proven methods of getting this information without having to disassemble the phone. Android's engineering menu provides access to hidden diagnostic data, where the manufacturer's exact code is often specified, and you can also use third-party utilities or console commands through your computer. We'll look at each of these ways so you can get the most accurate data about your device.

Why Xiaomi is changing screen providers

Major electronics manufacturers like Xiaomi, Samsung or Huawei make millions of devices every year. To ensure that smartphones are produced smoothly and not depend on failures in one factory, companies contract with multiple suppliers of components. In the case of displays, the Chinese giant’s main partners are BOE, CSOT (TCL), HKC and sometimes Tianma. This is standard industry practice to optimize logistics and production costs.

The difference between the arrays from different vendors can be shades of white, maximum brightness or viewing angle. Sometimes users notice that the same Redmi Note color reproduction looks warmer or cooler, which is why the question of “how to know the manufacturer of the matrix Xiaomi” remains relevant for those who choose a device in the store or want to compare your copy with the reviews of other owners.

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The difference in color reproduction between different manufacturers is often corrected by software updates to MIUI, but the physical type of panel (IPS or AMOLED) cannot be changed.

It’s worth noting that having a screen from a lesser-known brand doesn’t always mean poor quality.Modern factories are equipped with advanced equipment and Xiaomi’s quality control is quite strict. However, if you plan to buy a phone from hand or in an obscure store, checking the type of display will help you avoid buying a device with a replaced or defective component.

Use of the CIT Engineering Menu

The fastest and most reliable way to get information about the hardware of your smartphone is to log into a special service menu known as the CIT (Customer Integration Test), which is built into the shell of MIUI and HyperOS by default and does not require superuser rights (Root).

Dial ##6484## on the dial keyboard. The menu should open automatically. If it doesn't, your carrier may be blocking the phone. USSD-There are limitations to code or firmware, and in the test list that you open, you'll have to find a point that's associated with the display, usually called Display, Version or Hardware Info.

Within the version information section, you can often see a Panel Vendor line or simply a code that starts with letters indicating a brand. For example, codes may contain vendor abbreviations. It is important to carefully examine all available tabs, since the location of information may vary depending on the version of MIUI. Sometimes the matrix data is hidden in the general system report.

⚠️ Note: Do not press the Pass or Fail button in the tests CIT, If you're just checking the information, it can drop test flags or send a erroneous report to Xiaomi servers, which in rare cases affects the warranty.

Verification through applications and ADB

If the menu doesn't give a clear answer, you can use third-party software. Apps like Device Info HW or CPU-Z can read data from Android system files. However, it's worth remembering that not all display manufacturers allow you to display your full name through standard Android APIs. Often you will see only the technical code of the model.

A more advanced method is using USB debugging (ADB). You'll need a computer, a USB cable, and installed ADB drivers. Once you plug your phone in and enable debugging mode in the developer menu, you can run a command in the terminal. Enter the adb shell, and then a command to output the kernel logs.

adb shell dmesg | grep -i panel

This command filters the system log (dmesg) and searches for lines containing the word "panel." In the output, you can often find the name of the manufacturer, for example, boe, csot or hk. This is one of the most accurate methods, since it refers directly to the drivers of the Linux kernel on which Android is based.

Decoding of producer codes

Once you get the technical string, many users are lost in guessing, since full company names are rarely found there. Instead, shortcuts or specific prefixes are used. Knowing these codes will help you instantly understand who made your screen. Below is a table with the most common notations found in Xiaomi devices.

The most common mid-segment vendor is BOE. This company supplies millions of panels annually. CSOT is often found in the Black Shark or Redmi K series gaming models because of good refresh rate rates. Samsung Display is usually only going to the flagship Xiaomi Mi and Xiaomi Pro series.

Sometimes you can find a code in the logs. E3, E4 or E5. This is not the name of the manufacturer, but the designation of the generation of phosphor materials used in the AMOLED-matrices (mainly Samsung or BOE). The higher the figure, the higher the energy efficiency and brightness of the screen.

Comparison of characteristics of different brands

There's a myth that one matrix brand is always better than another, and it really depends on the model and year it's released, but there are some general trends, like the BOE panels of recent years that have been known for their good out-of-the-box calibration, but they can have a slightly more prominent black bezel from the bottom of the screen than their competitors.

Matrix from CSOT They are often used in devices with high refresh rates (120 Hz or higher) due to their ability to quickly switch pixels.They can exhibit slightly cooler shades, which can be easily adjusted in screen settings. HKC Often chosen for budgetary purposes IPS-screens where they show excellent brightness, but may be inferior in contrast.

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In modern smartphones, the difference in quality between the top segment of BOE, CSOT and Samsung matrixes has become minimal and noticeable only when directly comparing the two devices side by side in the laboratory.

It's important to understand that Xiaomi calibrates color rendering software, so two phones with arrays from different factories, but one model, in normal use, will look almost identical to the eyes of most users, the differences become noticeable only when you turn on the "Professional" mode or when you use a calibrator.

The effect of matrix type on repair and replacement

Knowing the manufacturer of the matrix is critical when buying spare parts for repairs. If you break the screen, you will be offered the original or a quality copy. But the "original" can be from different factories. When replacing the display module with Xiaomi, they often use universal compatible matrixes, which may not support the original refresh rate or brightness.

If you order a part yourself, try to find a module with the same code that was installed initially, which ensures that the plumes and controllers will work correctly with (the motherboard), a mismatch in the driver version can lead to a broken touchscreen or no image, even if the physical connector fits.

⚠️ Note: When replacing your screen yourself, remember that removing the back cover and battery requires caution. Battery damage can lead to fire, and careless handling of plumes can lead to motherboard failure.

Service centers often don't ask about the manufacturer because they buy certified kits, but if you buy a used phone with a replaced screen, checking the CIT menu will help you determine whether it's the original part or a cheap copy that just emulates the correct answer to the system.

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