How to recognize a Xiaomi model by appearance
This is not as easy to do as it seems. The fact is that the manufacturer has a large number of product lines. Each has many models that are very similar in appearance, since the same assembly of components is always used.
But if you take into account a few recommendations, you can cope with the task:
- Case material. If it's plastic, then most likely it's one of the Redmi models.
- Availability of a fingerprint scanner. If it is not there, then the phone is quite old. At the same time, you need to remember that if in the third generation the sensor is located at the back, then in the fifth it was installed in the front part immediately below the screen.
- It is also worth considering the location of the proximity sensor, headphone jack and cameras. This way you can quickly find out by the features of your device which family it belongs to.
- Look at high-quality photos of models on the Internet. This will help determine the ruler. Further on the request you will find all representatives of the family.
By the way!
If there is a box, then everything is even simpler - there is always the full name of the smartphone version.
Looking at the settings
If you did not have time to analyze the device’s parameters in detail, or simply bought it the day before, then you are probably not aware that in a special section the developer notifies you about the smartphone data. The most practical way to find out such information is in the “About phone” section. It also contains other necessary information, for example, the software version or the amount of RAM and internal memory. These parameters will help you create a general description of your smartphone.
To be sure that the information in the About Phone settings section is accurate, you should purchase smartphones only from reputable manufacturers with a reliable reputation. It is desirable to have many positive reviews and long experience. Ideally, someone you know or close to you could have previously purchased the same product from the same seller and offered it to you, but in practice, testimonies from unfamiliar buyers can also be useful.
Be sure to check whether the device packaging contains an IMEI code. If it is missing, you should be wary, since this sequence of numbers is unique for each product and must be applied regardless of the situation. If the number is present, then enter it on the manufacturer’s official website to verify the originality and origin of the gadget.
How to determine the model through third-party applications
You can download an application that will determine the device version.
To do this, you need to go to the Play Market and enter the corresponding query in the search bar:
- CPU-Z. A simple and convenient application, after downloading and installing it you need to enter the menu and select the tab at the top called “DEVICE”. There will be detailed information about the model and its technical characteristics.
- AIDA64. This application is even more popular since there is a version in Russian. After downloading and installing, you just need to go to the “System” tab, where there is not only data about the model, its serial number, technical specifications and much other useful information.
There are other third-party programs of this type, but these have proven themselves to be the best. The main thing is to download them from official resources.
Method 3: Android Apps
The following approach to obtaining data from a Xiaomi smartphone is convenient to use if precise identification of its model is required, for example, in the process of obtaining information about technical characteristics and hardware components. Among other things, the effectiveness of the method, that is, the reliability of the information obtained with its help, does not depend on the firmware that controls the device under study (official/modified/custom).
To implement your plan, you will need one of the applications for identifying the technical components of Android devices and testing them - the following instructions involve perhaps the most popular software with such functionality - Antutu Benchmark .
- Open Xiaomi's proprietary Android Software Store - GetApps. Enter Antutu Benchmark as a query in the search field in the software catalog, go to the application page.
Next, tap “Download”, then wait for the download to complete and installation of the tool on your smartphone.
- Launch Antutu Benchmark, from the main screen of the application go to the “My Device” section.
- Study the meanings of the items in the “Basic Information” block of the displayed list of smartphone characteristics. In addition to obtaining information in the “Model” area, pay attention to the “Device” item - the code name of the device is shown here. Knowing this unique identifier will probably provide you with an invaluable service in the future if you need to find suitable firmware (especially modified or custom) for installation on a Xiaomi smartphone.
How to find out the model through a computer
It’s worth looking at another fairly convenient and fast method, which requires a computer or laptop. And if the device was previously connected, then there will be no problems.
Instructions:
- Using a cable (better than the original one), connect your smartphone to your PC.
- After the connection notification appears, look at the name in the “My Computer” tab or in the device manager.
- If the connection is not established and the phone is simply charging, you should update the drivers by selecting the appropriate item in the menu that appears when you right-click.
Advice!
If the connection does not occur or the computer does not see the device, it is worth checking the cord, as well as the connectors on both the PC and the smartphone. Even small amounts of debris and dust can disrupt operation.
PC connection
This is one of the fastest options. Ideally, you will have drivers for Xiaomi devices installed, but you can try without them.
- Connect the phone to the PC;
- Open “My Computer” or Device Manager;
- We look at the connected devices, one of them will be a smartphone model;
If the connection is not displayed anywhere, then switch the phone to data mode.
Via Fastboot
With its help, you can find out the model without even starting the device. Thanks to this, you can find out the version of the device.
Step-by-step instruction:
- Download the console utility for Windows from a trusted source. Then the archive needs to be unpacked into the root directory of drive C.
- On your phone, you need to simultaneously hold down the power button and the volume down key until the screen saver with the word “Fastboot” appears on the display.
- Connect the phone to the computer (it is advisable to use the original cord or a high-quality analogue).
- Go to the "Fastboot" folder on your computer. Press the "Shift" button on your keyboard and at the same time right-click on an empty area in the folder. In the window that appears, select the line “Open a command window” or “Open a PowerShell window here.” The workspace will open.
- First you need to enter the command “cmd”, and then press “Enter”. To check whether the devices are synchronized normally, you should enter another command - “Fastboot devices”. If everything is in order, the smartphone identifier and the mode it is in (“Fastboot”) will pop up.
- To find out the model of the connected phone, you need to enter “Fastboot getvar product” and press “Enter”. But it is worth keeping in mind that as a result, the system will not display the exact name of the model, but its code name used by Xiaomi. Using it to find out the necessary information will not be difficult. For example, if the word “platina” is displayed, then if you enter Xiaomi along with it in the search engine, you will see that this is the Mi 8 Lite model.
This method is more complicated than others, but it allows you to obtain data almost always. And there is no need to disassemble the device.
Viewing from Fastboot modes
If the previous methods did not help, Fastboot mode (system settings) will help solve the problem. Of course, you won’t be able to find out the model name through recovery, so first download any third-party utility that allows you to do this (for example, TWRP). Next, follow the simple instructions:
- turn off the phone and wait until the screen goes completely dark;
- Press and hold the Power and Volume Up keys at the same time;
- A menu will appear in which you need to open the Settings section and find the necessary information.
Now you know how to quickly check the model name of a smartphone. The easiest way to do this is by inspecting the box or looking in the settings. But, if this is not possible, you can use other methods.
By IMEI
This term refers to a 15-digit digital designation that allows you to quickly find out not only the device model, but its regional affiliation (it is intended for the Chinese or world market). To do this, you need to open the phone authentication page on the company’s official portal. Its address is https://www.mi.com/global/verify/#/en/tab/imei.
Instructions:
- Remove the back cover and look for a label with barcodes and numbers. If the lid is glued, you will have to warm it up and carefully separate it. There is no other way out.
- Enter the 15-digit code in the top line of the window that opens. Just below, write the captcha verification characters to confirm that this is not a robot. Click the “Verify” button.
- After a short time, data will appear not only on the name of the model, but also on the amount of memory and the color of the case. If the line contains only the name of the phone, and then there are hieroglyphs, then this is the version for the domestic market of China.
By the way!
In the same way, you can find out the model of the Mi Band fitness bracelet or any other device from Xiaomi. A huge advantage of this service is that it simultaneously checks authenticity. Therefore, it can also be used when purchasing devices second-hand to make sure that they are not counterfeit.
Method 2: MIUI Settings
In the MIUI OS that controls most Xiaomi smartphones, users have a special software tool to find out the model of the device and its other characteristics. The specified tool is called as described below.
The reliability of the information obtained as a result of following the instructions is guaranteed by the manufacturer only if the official firmware is installed on the device!
- Tap on the “Settings” shortcut of your smartphone on the desktop of its OS or tap the “Gear” icon in the MIUI quick access panel.
- Go to the first (in older versions of MIYUAY – the last) section of the mobile system parameters – “About phone”. Next, click All Settings.
- The screen that opens shows the information we are looking for in solving our problem: “Device Model” is the name of the smartphone accepted in everyday communication, as well as “Model” is a modification of a specific instance of the device.
How to determine the model if the phone does not turn on
Many people are interested in which method is more suitable for determining the brand of a phone if it is locked or does not turn on. Three methods can be distinguished:
- Using external signs and pictures on the network, compare the data and determine what kind of device it is. Most often this takes a few minutes.
- Use "Fastboot" mode. Another option, suitable even for smartphones that do not turn on due to damaged firmware or other reasons.
- Finally, you can clarify the necessary IMEI data. This solution is the most convenient if the back cover of the smartphone is removable.
It doesn’t take much time to figure out which Xiaomi model it is, especially if it turns on normally and there is a cable for connecting to the computer. It is more difficult when there are problems with the device or it is blocked. But even in this case, there are options for solving the problem.
Method 1: Packaging and smartphone case
The main method of conveying to the consumer information characterizing a particular product, including the device model, is by printing information on the packaging and/or applying markings to its body. Xiaomi in this regard is no different from other manufacturers of modern electronics:
- The name of the model in the form familiar to users (in English or Chinese), as well as the modification code (Product model) of a specific device instance in alphanumeric expression, is contained in the label affixed to all boxes of Xiaomi smartphones:
- The modification ID found on the smartphone packaging is duplicated on its body (back cover):
- To compare the modification code and its “clear” name, the easiest way is to enter the identifier found on the box or case of the smartphone as a request to search for information using Yandex or Google. To get more relevant results, add the word “Xiaomi” before the model designation entered into the search.
As you can see, just by the names of links to materials found by a search engine on the Internet, it is easy to determine the name of the model of the smartphone you have.
Why is the Chinese version of the phone bad?
- Lack of Russian language.
- Problems with the firmware for obtaining the Russian language. And as a result, possible problems with NFC not working, payment via Google Pay, receiving a “brick” with the release of new firmware.
- There is no service from google: google play, and therefore there is no ability to install familiar applications.
- Payment from phone does not work in Russia.
- Not all operators will have 4g. LTE Band 20 frequency is missing.
- There is no official guarantee on the territory of the Russian Federation. As a consequence, refusal of free warranty service.
Third party solutions
Another way to establish the model can be to install special applications. For example, AIDA64 or CPU-Z.
AIDA64Developer: FinalWire LtdPrice: FreeCPU-ZDeveloper: CPUIDPrice: Free
Find out the Xiaomi model through settings
The easiest way is to look at the smartphone model in the system settings. To do this, go to “Settings” and click on the “About phone” item.
After this, a list will open that will contain information not only about the smartphone model, but also about the firmware assembly, the amount of internal and RAM memory. This will help you understand which version of the smartphone you have in your hands. This information will be useful when purchasing a mobile device. For example, some manufacturers have versions of smartphones for the Chinese and international markets, which differ in their support for various communication networks, usually in different WCDMA and LTE standards, and sometimes in the amount of RAM or internal memory.
Find out the Xiaomi model using vision
In the case where it is not possible to go into the settings, you can determine the Xiaomi model “by eye”.
To do this, just go to the page of all Xiaomi models and, among the many presented mobile devices, find exactly the one you are looking for. The disadvantage of this method is that it is impossible to determine what “stuffing” is installed on the device.
However, having found a similar model, you can at least be more or less sure that this is a real Xiaomi and not a fake with their logo.
Also, this method can help determine the model if the user or some kind of failure has turned the smartphone into a “brick” and to revive it you will need the appropriate firmware via a computer.
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The content of the article:
Every year, the Chinese manufacturer Xiaomi delights users with new products in a wide range. The latest generations of smartphones are similar to each other; the design of the new version receives a minimal update. Therefore, the question of how to find out the Xiaomi phone model remains relevant. There are several ways to find out which model is in front of you and what its characteristics are.