Avoid buying fake/knockoff/clone phones by following these simple measures

Avoid buying fake/knockoff/clone phones: How to check if a Samsung phone is original

Suffice to say that after mentioning the iPhone, Samsung phone must come closely after. There are 3 major ways with you can check if a Samsung phone is genuine from within the phone. Don’t wait until you suffer a major buyer remorse. Detect if the phone is a clone or genuine today.

Checking if a Samsung phone is original(Software application)

• Get the IME Number of the phone and check it on Samsung’s official page. Also, you can use Samsung warranty page to check if yours is genuine
• Use Samsung app called Samsung phone info. This app will display everything you need to know. Compare this information against the specification of the phone
• Use Samsung’s codes to know if it is legit.  We have many of them but the most important code for all Samsung phones is  *#0*#. Other codes are as follows

1. *#06# IMEI
2. *#7412365# Camera Firmware Standard Menu
3. *#0228# Battery Status
4. *#12580*369# To check software and hardware information
5. *#32489#, *#0011# Service Mode
6. *#7780# Factory Data Reset
7. *2767*3855# Full Factory Reset (no confirmation)
8. *#0*# – Hardware diagnostic tests
9. *#0011# – Service Mode
10. *#7353# Quick Test Menu
11. *1234# Firmware Information

• You can also check out for how well the fingerprint and iris work if the phones come with one.
• Try and enter download mode or recovery mode. If that phone fails to enter either download or recovery mode, it is fake.
• Also, you can download and install Samsung smartSwitch for the phone and your PC and try and connect. Your phone must be recognized by the suite.
• The online IME checker also works well with Samsung phones. You can visit it to check if your Samsung is genuine.

How to avoid buying fake/knockoff/clone phones generally

There are as many phone brands as there are the names of such phones. It would be an impossible task to list how to identify a fake of every brand of phone. Summarily, check your phones manufacturer’s website for resu=ources put n place to detect fake. You can also contact them via phone or email.

That notwithstanding, I will give you some general tips that can help with any phone you might choose to buy. Read along:

1. Know the phone you are buying. Don’t a phone that you don’t know. If you must buy a new phone, buy from a trusted source. Get familiar with the phone before attempting to buy
2. Watch youtube videos of the phone to get additional information and visual clues
3. Visit, gsmarean.com or your phone’s manufacturer official website for detailed specification of your phone.
4. Search for and download the phones software suite. For example, Sony uses Flashtool, iPhone uses iTunes, Samsung makes use of kies, odin, and smartswitch. HTC has its own software and Microsft uses Zune.
5. Don’t be greedy, please compare the prices.
6. Furthermore, ask the seller to tell you one or two things aout the phone. if he or she has nothing to say, run fro your life.
7. For all android phones, Version 5 and newer, Go to settings -> about phone -> Android version. Then click on the Android version for 5-6 times, then you will see that the developer’s option will pop up.
8. Compare the color to available models. You can use a site like http://www.gsmarena.com to view a list of all major brand name phones and their details, including their colors
9. Check and compare the logo. Run your finger across the logo to make sure it feels smooth. The logo shouldn’t be a sticker, and should not flake off.
10. Install 3rd like Droid info or Antutu app to check the speck of your phone