Differentiating a fake phone from an original one is sometimes an enormous task because they are virtually the same. Fortunately or unfortunately, Jovago.com, Africa’s No 1 Hotel Booking Portal noticed that many of these phones are from China. We can argue that Techno has somehow proofed many wrong about the authenticity of China phones. However, when you go to the market, it is advisable to buy from an authorized dealer or you look for these salient features to distinguish an original phone from a fake one.
VERIFY PRICES
If you have a friend that uses the same brand of phone that you are interested in buying, you can call him to confirm the price. Then, compare the prices of both brands. Why? Because many of these counterfeit phones are very cheap and less expensive. Therefore, the low price may be a subtle ploy to entice customers. Don’t fall victim to this. However, you have to be cautious still because the phone maybe expensive and at the same time fake.
LOGO AND BRANDING
This is perhaps one of the easiest ways of identifying a fake phone. This is done by simply observing if the brand name is correctly spelt or not. Samsung, Nokia and Blackberry manufacturers will always get the spellings of their brands right. However, when you see noKLA, samSVNG, or any other wrong spelling, don’t hesitate, it is definitely a fake!
MISSING/LIMITED FEATURES
You may want to buy the same phone again because you love the brand and the phone. However, while surfing, you discovered that some key features are omitted in the phone. Don’t think twice the phone is fake. Nearly everybody can identify a Nokia phone, hence any missing features can easily be identified (or there are some additional features), then the phone is a no…no…
APPEARANCE/WEIGHT
Fake phones have two unique features, they are unprofessionally or poorly packaged and they are very light weight. For example, you are given a new phone and you observe that the screen protector is a bit loose. How will you describe that? It simply means it wasn’t properly sealed. Just walk away, the phone is fake.
INTERNATIONAL MOBILE STATION EQUIPMENT IDENTITY (IMEI)
Does your phone have an International Mobile Station Equipment Identity (IMEI)? This question is answered by dialling *#06#. Also ensure that the number is 15. However, there are other situations whereby the IMEI may be available and it is 15 in number but the number is still fake. Just be careful.
If you are in doubt, just walk away!
