In today’s world, smartphones have become more than just a communication tool; they are an essential part of our lives. With an increase in the demand for smartphones, counterfeit devices are also becoming increasingly common. These fake phones very often are built to look like premium models, but the quality, performance, and security do not remotely compare; hence, there is need to verify, especially if you have recently bought a phone or are intending to do so shortly.
Counterfeit smartphones are not without risks. Performance may not rise to the expected standards; security patches may not be available; and software updates may not be done. In certain cases, they may well resemble the original phone, rendering a user unable to distinguish between an original and a fake. Nevertheless, several tips can be helpful in determining fake from original. Here, we shall look into such ways in detail throughout this article.
This complete guide presents practical guidelines on how to verify the original phone and fake phone, with actionable tips to protect oneself from the purchase of a counterfeit phone.
- Check The Packaging
One of the first ways to check is to see how the phone is packed up. Original brands take great pride in the packing of their products, and the quality of packaging will go a long way in serving as an indicator of the authenticity of the phone possessed.
Key Points To Check.
- Quality of Box: Authentic phones are usually packed in sturdy boxes made up of high-quality material. If the box is flimsy, looks poorly printed, or shows any signs of being used, it may signify that the phone inside is fake.
Branding and Logos: Check that brand logos on the box are clear and visible. Fake phones often present low-quality logos, misspellings, or incorrect font sizes.
Inside Accessories: Original phones come with complete accessories; that is, charger, cable, headphones, and a manual. If the accessories seem substandard, in poor shape, with lousy design, and are sometimes not included with the package, it sends out an alarm call about the possibility of it being a fake phone.
Labels and Serial Numbers: Original packaging usually has a barcode, serial numbers, and QR codes to inquire. Check if all these labels match with the model you’re buying.
Instructions:
Always ask the seller to show you the package before buying, and open the contents in front of you. If something seems off or it looks too cheap, go look for another seller.
- Inspect the Build Quality
The build quality is one of the most striking differences between the real and fake phones. Name-brand smartphone manufacturers strive to manufacture a tough and well-designed product, where much consideration is directed to construction material, button positioning, and tactile feedback. Counterfeits, however, are made from low-quality plastic and exhibit poorer workmanship, inconsistent design, and some lack of creativity.
Key Points to Check:
- Materials: Genuine phones from top-notch brands like Apple, Samsung, or Google usually employ high-grade materials such as metal, glass, or premium plastic to construct the phone. If the phone feels cheap or too light, it is most probably a fake.
- Buttons Positioning: Buttons such as the power button, volume rocker, and mute switch should all be exactly aligned. In counterfeit devices, the individual button placements may be a little bit off or have different textures.
Weight: Fake phones tend to be either lighter or heavier than their original counterparts. So, if you have the phone’s specifications, compare the weight of the device with the official one. A weight difference is a giveaway for a counterfeit.
Seams and Edges: The edges should be smooth and the seams well-joined. In counterfeit phones, seams may be poorly glued or the edges may not be polished well.
What to Do…
If the phone feels flimsy, buttons are unresponsive, or the alignment is not right, this gives clues that the product could be fake; accordingly, it would be prudent to refrain from making any purchases.
Check the IMEI Number
IMEI is an International Mobile Equipment Identity and provides a unique code to every mobile device, thereby acting as a verification code for the originality of the phone. Checking the IMEI number is the most trustworthy way to ascertain if your phone is an original or not.
How to Check IMEI Number:
Dial *#06#: This will show you the IMEI number flashing on your phone screen, which you can write down.
Check the Settings of the Phone: You can also get it within the Settings of the phone, under about phone or the status.
IMEI Check-up: After you have already taken down the IMEI, proceed either to the official brand’s website or to customer support to check whether that number is actually able to be identified as coming from an original device.
What to Do…
If the IMEI number is not recognized or does not match that of the originals, you will know that the phone is fake. You can also check with those IMEI-number-check websites to confirm whether a phone is original.
- Software and Operating System
Genuine smartphones have an operating system that runs the device. For instance, Apple employs iOS, Samsung uses One UI (Android-based), and Google utilizes stock Android. Fake phones run a modified version of Android or a terribly efficient OS.
Points to Note:
- Software Version: Go to “Settings” and check the software version of the phone. Original appliances receive regular software updates for bug fixes and performance enhancements. If the software version is outdated or the phone does not have updates facilitating upgrade to the latest version, doubt it might be a fake phone.
- Pre-installed Apps: Usually, genuine phones offer a host of official apps. Counterfeit devices might contain some dubious and astonishing apps that can’t be uninstalled.
- UI Differences: There could be substantial differences in the user interface (UI) for fake phones; for instance, the icons, fonts, and animations do not conform in style to the original OS.
- App Store: See if the phone grants access to the official app store (Google Play for Android, App Store for iPhones). It may also have alternative, unofficial app stores, which could compromise security.
What To Do:
Make sure the software runs smoothly, the pre-installed apps support the OS version, and the phone can connect to the official app store. If any erratic functioning, inconsistent user interface, or undeletable apps show up, then most likely the phone in question is a fake phone.
- Verify for Official Certification and Warranty
A legitimate phone is certified by manufacturers with a warranty. Many counterfeit devices lack warranties or are presented with faux warranty cards that are often seen as unprofessional or incomplete.
main factors to be aware:
- warranty card: genuine telephones include an reliable assurance card providing the corporation’s logo, touch info, and serial range. If the card appears unprofessional, it’s far incomplete or lacking; it may be a counterfeit.
- certification labels: real phones are to have certification labels that make sure they meet the important production and protection requirements. Those labels may additionally commonly be imprinted on the tool or contained in the person guide.
- producer’s support: in case you phone via the manufacturer’s customer support the use of the serial variety of the smartphone, they should authenticate its genuineness and warranty popularity.
what to do:
Ask the vendor for warranty facts and check with the brand’s customer service for the validity of the assurance card. Keep away from doubtful warranties or certification.
- Take a look at the digital camera fine
Digicam satisfactory is every other region wherein faux telephones regularly fail. Unique phones from professional brands such as apple, samsung, or xiaomi function properly-calibrated cameras designed to properly capture clean and vibrant snap shots.
key factors to test:
- digital camera resolution: go through the digicam specifications. Fake phones may put it on the market top notch resolution, however the overall performance is usually under average.
- image high-quality: do a test of a few pics to determine the first-class. Faux telephones produce blurry, pixelated, or underexposed images, even underneath brilliant light.
- digital camera features: actual devices have digital camera functions such as night mode, ai enhancement, and optical image stabilization. Maximum fake telephones both lack these functions or execute them poorly.
what to do:
Positioned the camera thru its paces by using taking severa snapshots and films.
- Checking out brand-precise functions
Among the top-notch telephone manufacturers combine other features which can be unique to their phones. Those functions consist of face identification for apple devices, fantastic amoled for samsung gadgets, and exceptional digicam software functions for the google pixel. Fake telephones occasionally both lack those brand area of expertise or seldom put into effect them efficiently.
key checkpoints:
- face identity or fingerprint reputation: assess whether or not face identity (for iphones) or under-show fingerprint sensors paintings without a hitch. Fake telephones may additionally have gradual or misguided biometric authentication.
- display satisfactory: if you’re shopping for a excessive-give up phone, make certain that one is able to check the show fine as anticipated; apple iphones are retina, samsung galaxy has exceptional amoled.
- audio capabilities: actual telephones generally might have excellent audio audio system and other audio enhancement capabilities like dolby atmos. Check sound first-rate to make certain it is an genuine one.
what to do:
One ought to test emblem-unique functions which are advertised. If they’re not working or do not work as predicted, it’s possible that it’s a counterfeit phone.
- The price is just too top to be authentic
If the fee seems too accurate to be authentic, it probably is. Counterfeit telephones are regularly offered at a great deal lower expenses than unique models. While discounts and promo offers are conventional, the charge this is manner beneath expectations is genuinely a red flag.
what to do:
If it appears that the deal is just too exact to be actual, do a little homework to locate the common rate of the telephone. If it is lots lower, purchase it with warning, as it may be a counterfeit.