With the increasing popularity of smartphones, it's no surprise that counterfeit devices are becoming more prevalent. Whether you've bought a phone from an unfamiliar seller or received a gift, it's essential to verify its authenticity to avoid getting scammed. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you check if your phone is original or fake:
1. Check the IMEI Number
The IMEI number is a unique identifier for every phone. You can find it by:
- Dialing *#06# on the phone dialer.
- Checking the phone settings; usually, this is found under "About Phone".
- Looking on the box or back of the device.
Having the IMEI number, visit your phone's official website manufacturer, such as Apple, Samsung, and Huawei, and use their IMEI Checker tool to check whether the details of the phone match. If they don't, then you probably possess a counterfeit.
2. Check Build Quality
Poor build quality is one of the main signs of counterfeit phones. Note the following:
- Materials: Original phones usually are made of high-quality materials such as metal and glass. Fakes use inexpensive plastic.
- Weight: The fakes are lighter compared to the original.
- Buttons and Ports: In original phones, buttons and ports are properly aligned, solid in place, and operate smoothly, which may not be the case with a fake phone. Buttons will be flimsy, and USB and headphone sockets could be out of place.
3. Display and Touchscreen
Low-cost phones tend to cut corners regarding display technology. A genuine phone will have clear, bright screen displays with great accuracy of touches. The sham phone will demonstrate:
- Resolution not good: the display might also seem a little blurry or grainy.
- Bad Colour: sham display shows bad Colour rendition.
- Problem in the Touch Screen: Taps might be less responsive, and the location is less than accurate.
4. Check Operating System (OS)
Fake phones often run a version of Android that is customized to look like iOS or the original brand's operating system. You can verify the OS by:
- Software updates: Genuine phones regularly receive updates from the manufacturer. If the phone does not offer any updates or has limited functionality, it's likely a fake.
- App store: There should be some official stores like Google Play Store or Apple App Store. In fake phones, this store might be missing or fake.
5. Check Branding and Logos
Look for the manufacturer's logos on the phone. A genuine one will have clear, well-placed logos. The fake ones may carry misspelled logos or poor prints that would easily fade away or get scratched off.
6. Check the Camera Quality
Most of the original smartphones have high-quality cameras. Poor quality cameras, taking blurry images or at low resolution, may indicate a fake phone. Check whether the camera works or not by taking a few photos and zooming to see the quality.
7. Verify the Features
Many counterfeit phones try to pose in place of the original by implementing many features, but some always seem not to work well. Common features to test include the following:
- Fingerprint sensors: How smooth and perfect does it work?
- Face recognition: Try setting face unlock for phones that offer the feature. On an original phone, face unlock should be very reliable and swift.
- Audio quality: Original phones always produce excellent sound through speakers or a microphone.
- Use Third-Party Apps
There are a number of applications that can assist you in verifying your phone's authenticity. Applications such as CPU-Z and AIDA64 can give you detailed specifications about your phone's hardware. Compare this with the official specifications of the device model you bought to ensure they tally.
9. Check the Price
Probably one of the simpler ways to do so would be with the pricing of the phone itself. If the telephone was offered for a price that is 'too good to be true', it likely was. Most legitimate phones do retain value over time, making any type of super sale a cause for alarm.
10. Conduct a Battery Test
Counterfeit phones may not have the same properties in terms of battery life and charging. Check the health of the battery with tools available either within your phone's settings or through downloaded applications. If the performance is not consistent with what the brand has claimed, then it is a fake phone.
Conclusion
The authenticity of your phone is what saves you from scams and also gives you the right value for your money. You can easily verify the originality of your phone by following these steps. If in doubt, always buy from reputable sellers or official stores, and be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true.
