How much it costs to change the microphone in the phone Xiaomi: a full analysis of prices

The problem of not hearing you or sounding like a barrel is familiar to many smartphone owners. Often it indicates the failure of one of the most important components of the audio system, the microphone. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco devices immediately begin to look for information about the cost of repair, because without the ability to call the phone turns into a useless piece of plastic and glass. The cost of the service can vary widely, and understanding the pricing will help you not overpay and choose a reliable master.

In this article, we will discuss in detail what makes up the cost of repairs, why it costs a penny in some services, and in others it costs a significant amount. We will touch on the technical features of replacement, the differences between models and how to distinguish a software failure from a physical failure. Diagnostics is the first step that will save time and nerves before you decide to carry a gadget to the workshop.

It is worth noting that modern Xiaomi smartphones have a complex design, where audio components are integrated into the overall circuit or soldered onto flexible plumes, which makes the repair process more time-consuming compared to older push-button phones. It is the complexity of dismantling the body and the accuracy of working with BGA-The slack often becomes the determining factor in the final check.

Factors Affecting the Cost of Replacing a Microphone

The price of repairs is not taken from the ceiling and depends on many technical and logistical factors. First of all, the cost of spare parts for the flagship models of the Xiaomi Mi or Xiaomi 13/14 series will be higher than for the budget Redmi Note. This is due to the fact that expensive models often use higher quality and miniature components, and their replacement requires a high qualification of the engineer. In addition, original parts are always more expensive than their counterparts, but ensure the preservation of water resistance and sound quality.

The second important aspect is the design of the device itself: in some models, removing the back cover is enough to access the bottom microphone, while in others it is necessary to completely disassemble the phone, turn off the battery and remove the motherboard. The top microphone (conversational) is often integrated into the speaker module or is in a hard-to-reach place under the protective screens, all these nuances increase the time of the master, which directly affects the cost of services of the service center.

The price is also affected by the region and the status of the service. Official authorized Xiaomi centers usually charge more for work, but give a guarantee on the original parts and retaining moisture protection (if any). Private workshops can offer a lower price, but here it is important to be confident in the qualifications of the master, as inept intervention can lead to damage to the plumes or motherboard.

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When ordering a spare part, make sure the microphone model matches your board revision exactly, as different components may be in the same phone model.

Price difference for different Xiaomi and Redmi models

Xiaomi’s range is huge, and it’s almost impossible to unify repair prices for all models. Budget smartphones like the Redmi 9, Redmi 10 or Poco M series often have a modular design where the microphone is on a separate “supers” board or on a flexible plume, and replacing such an element is cheaper, since the risk of damaging the underlying logic is minimal and the part itself is inexpensive.

It’s a completely different situation with flagships and mid-segment models like Xiaomi. 11T, Xiaomi 12 This is a Poco F series, where the microphones are often soldered directly on the motherboard or are under multi-layer protective screens, and they require the use of a thermo-air station and a microscope to replace them. BGA-The ball grid array requires jewellery precision, and the price for such a service can be in the 2-3 higher than a simple plume replacement.

Below is an indicative table of the cost of replacing the microphone for different categories of devices. Remember that prices can vary depending on the exchange rate and availability of spare parts in stock.

Upper and Lower Microphones: What is the Difference Between Repairs

Modern Xiaomi smartphones have at least two microphones: the main (bottom) for recording voice during a conversation in normal mode and the secondary (top) for noise reduction and video recording. Repair of these components is significantly different. The bottom microphone most often fails due to moisture, dust or mechanical damage when falling. It is located in the bottom of the case and is often protected by a grid, which over time clogs.

The top microphone, located near the camera or at the end of the device, is less likely to be directly exposed to the outside environment, but its replacement can be technically more difficult. In some models, such as the Redmi Note 8 Pro series or the Poco X3 NFC, the top microphone is built into a button block or dynamic module. This means that to replace one small component, the wizard will have to change the entire assembly, which increases the cost of the spare part.

⚠️ Warning: If the top microphone stopped working after the phone fell, be sure to check the integrity of the plume connecting the top and bottom boards. When hit, it could simply move away from the connector, and repairs will be free (just reconnect).

Diagnosing which microphone is not working is simple. Turn on the recorder and record the video, covering the bottom or upper hole with your hand. If there is no sound on the record when one of the holes is closed, then the problem is in this channel. You can also use the engineering menu by typing the code ##6484## and selecting the microphone test, which will help you determine exactly how much it costs to change the microphone in your phone in your particular case, since replacing one can cost less than replacing both at once.

Software failure or hardware: how not to spend too much

Before you look for where and how much to change the microphone in your phone, you need to eliminate software errors. Quite often, users are faced with a situation where the physical component is good, but the system is not correctly distributing audio streams, this can happen after a failed update to MIUI or install a "cracked" application from a questionable site, in which case replacing the hardware will not solve the problem, and the money will be wasted.

The first step is software diagnostics. Try resetting audio settings or checking application permissions. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find the phone or messenger you want, and make sure that the microphone is allowed. Sometimes it helps to simply restart the device or clean the system cache. If after resetting to the factory settings (with a pre-backup), the problem persists, then it is a physical breakdown.

And we also have to mention the bugs that come out of the moisture, and if the phone gets wet, the contact oxidation can be gradual, and the microphone starts to wheez, then it works again, and then it stops completely, and sometimes ultrasonic cleaning of the board in the service helps, which is cheaper than replacing the component completely, but if the corrosion has already damaged the board tracks, it will require repairs with soldering of new tracks, which is a complicated and expensive procedure.

Self-Replacement: Is the Risk Worth Savings?

For owners of older Xiaomi models or users with experience in repairing equipment, the question of self-replacement can be relevant. On video platforms, there are many instructions showing how to replace the bottom plume with a microphone in 15 minutes. The cost of a set of tools and the spare part itself can be 2-3 times less than the services of a master. However, is the game worth a candle? For budget models with simple disassembly, perhaps yes.

But if you have a modern smartphone with adhesive bezel, glass back cover or IP68 moisture protection, self-repair carries huge risks. When you open the case, it is very easy to damage the plume of the display or battery, which will lead to much more expensive repairs. In addition, replacing the microphone soldered on the board requires not only a soldering iron, but also the ability to work with flux, thermophen and the microscope. Ineptic soldering can kill the motherboard forever.

⚠️ Warning: Self-opening your phone almost always results in a loss of warranty.If your Xiaomi is still in warranty service, any autopsy trace will invalidate the warranty.

If you do decide to repair yourself, be sure to use special suction cups and mediators for opening, as well as a new glue sealant for assembly. Ignoring the sealing will lead to the fact that the time the phone falls in the rain, the water will pour freely into the insides, and this time repair may not be necessary — the phone will simply fail completely.

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Independent replacement of the microphone is justified only on older models or with experience; for flagships with moisture protection, it is better to turn to professionals.

Guarantee and quality of work in service centers

When choosing a repair site, many people only look at the price tag. However, when they ask how much it costs to change the microphone on Xiaomi's phone, it is important to consider the warranty obligations. A good service center guarantees not only the spare part itself, but also the work, usually this period is from 14 days to 3 months, if the microphone again falls silent or cracks, you are obliged to re-repair for free.

It is important to distinguish between original parts and quality copies (OEMs). Xiaomi's original microphone has certain sensitivity and frequency characteristics. Cheap counterparts can work quieter, have a narrower angle of sound capture or get clogged with dust faster. Only original components are used when replaced in official centers, but it sometimes takes a long time. Private workshops often use analogues that may be as good as the original, but cost less.

When putting the phone in repair, be sure to require the act of reception and transfer with the model indication, IMEI-This will protect you from situations when after repairs, new scratches or chips appear on the body that you did not notice, and also check whether after repairs moisture protection is maintained. In most cases, after opening the case, the leakage is broken, and the phone ceases to be protected from water, even if high-quality glue was used.