How to Identify a Fake Xiaomi (Mi) Power Bank

Owing to its quality built, better specifications and cheaper prices, Xiaomi has gained a lot of attention. But unfortunately, more popularity brings more fakes and the present scenario is that there are more fake Xiaomi Power Banks in the market than there are legit ones.  Listed below are the various tests which would help you in identifying a fake.

Differentiating between Genuine and Fake

Depending on the company manufacturing the fakes, there can be some cases where it works similarly to the genuine one, but it will surely fail most of the following tests.

Sticker with 20-digit Code on Packaging

This is the first and easiest step to check if the power bank is genuine. There would only be a very rare case where a fake Power Bank passes this test.

Genuine – Majority of the genuine Mi power banks sold in China come with a sticker on the packaging which can be scratched off to reveal a 20-digit code. Entering the code on the Xiaomi website would confirm the genuine product. However, the power banks sold outside of China via official channels will not carry this sticker.

Purchased from WS Retail seller on Flipkart? Your product packaging will not contain the 20-digit code. It is still genuine though as it passes remainder of the tests.

Fake – Fake Power Bank will usually not include any such sticker on the packaging, confirming that it is fake. Even if it carries one, it would fail the genuinity test on the Xiaomi website.

Website to check the code – http://chaxun.mi.com (in Chinese)

Branding and Color on USB Cable

Genuine – The MicroUSB cable included with genuine Mi Power Banks does NOT carry any Mi branding. If you see one with Mi printed on it, it is a fake. The genuine cable also has a black interior in the standard USB port.

Fake – Fake Power Banks usually ship with a MicroUSB Cable which has Mi printed on it. Many of us would take this as a sign of genuine product and apparently that’s what these fake sellers want to achieve by printing Mi on the USB cable. Fake ones also have a white interior of the standard USB port.

Pass-Through Charging

Genuine: The original Mi Power bank supports pass-through charging. What it means that the power bank will also charge a mobile phone connected to it while it itself is being charged. Only necessity is that the input charger must supply enough power and as such, charging via  a PC’s USB Port will not help.

Fake: The fake power bank does not have this capability and it will just charge itself and won’t pass on any current to the mobile phone connected to it. It will only charge the mobile when you disconnect the charger from the power bank.

Color of USB Ports on the Power Bank

Genuine – The front visible part of both the Micro USB and standard USB port have a rice white color.

Fake – Most of the fake power banks have a milk white color on the Standard USB port and a Black color on the Micro USB port.

Printing at the Bottom

Genuine – Has a printing in greyish ink which is lighter and clear. It is also well textured which can be felt by moving the fingers over it.

Fake – Usually darker and blurry in black ink and sometimes unclear printing.

LED Lights Function when Using

Genuine – While charging, holding the power button will turn off all the LED lights and they light up when the button is released.

Fake – No effect on pressing the power button while charging.

Branding on the Standard USB Port

Update: The branding seems to be missing from the newer 16000mAh power banks, even though they are genuine.

Genuine – Genuine power bank carries a small MI branding on the chassis of the standard USB port on the power bank. It is pretty small, but is easily visible while looking under natural lighting.

Fake – Fakes do not carry any such branding.

Thanks JR for this tip

Inbuilt Batteries

If you are still not able to determine the genunity, open up the power bank and check the inbuilt batteries:

Genuine – Branded batteries from international brands such as Samsung and LG.

Fake – Locally produced or counterfeit batteries which are generally of pink color.

NO 20800 mAh Power Bank

There are some sellers selling a Mi branded Power Bank with the capacity of 20800mAh. 16000mAh is the biggest that Xiaomi offers till date. So if you see a retailer from China or on eBay selling a Mi power bank of such capacity, you know it is a fake one.

Does your Mi power bank pass the tests above or it fails most of them? Let us know below.