Android phones has taken over,they come in different shapes,sizes,colors and brands.
Some of the most popular brands are Tecno,Samsung Etc.
Its
funny how most people buy android phones in Nigeria only for the phone
to stop working in less than six months even though the phone was bought
from a phone shop.
The post contains quick tips on how to spot a fake counterfeit android phone in Nigeria.
How To Spot Fake Counterfeit Android Phone In Nigeria
Counterfeit
android phones mobile phone manufacturers make the fake phones to look
exactly like the genuine product and even for android geeks,sometimes it
will be difficult to decipher if its an original phone or the fake.
There
are two types of bad android phones in the Nigerian market,the first
one is the outright fake android phone that looks like the original but
it is a clone,while the second is the refurbished android phone that is
sold to unsuspecting buyers as a 'brand new android device' whereas it
is a faulty phone that has been refurbished.
This type of supposed Android phones are the types that spoil just months after purchase.
How To Spot And Avoid Buying Refurbished Android Phones In Nigeria
Now you may want to ask yourself this question,how do I spot a fake or refurbished android phone in Nigeria?
Observe this steps below:
1. Research About The Android Phone
It
is very important that you carry out research on the android phone you
want to buy before going to buy the phone. Find out the phone's specific
model number, available colours,features,software version Etc from the
manufacturers website or online,once you have this information it will
be easier for you to identify a fake android phone.
2. Appearance
After making a research about the phone you should now be conversant with the original phones looks and appearance.
When
given a fake or counterfeit phone,carefully check the appearance of the
phone,check things like the colour, location of buttons, size or
spelling of the brand name, also check the difference in weight, screen
size, location of buttons and battery,quality of printing,paint
finish,you can observe all these within seconds of observing the
counterfeit phone,if you notice any thing different,simply walk away
from that phone shop.
3. Android Phone Features
You can spot a fake android phone through this way. Fake phones have different features to genuine models.
Some obvious signs of fake phones include features like dual SIM cards, analogue TV etc.
Also check the model no and specifications of the phone you want to buy.
Check
the phone's colour availability,internal memory capacity,camera
megapixels,screen quality and operating system,if it differs with what
you researched about then its probably a refurbished or a fake phone.
4. Phone Respond And Processing Speed
Refurbished
phones in the black market has already been worked on with usually
sub-standard and cheap materials that is not from the original
manufacturer’s and hence will be sluggish with lower processing speed.
Also with refurbished phones some softwares and applications may not be working properly.
5. Availability
Before
you buy an android phone in Nigeria check for the model and its
availability on the manufacturers website and ensure that the phone is
still being manufactured.
Most
times refurbished android mobile phones tend to flood the Nigerian
market when the genuine manufacturer has stopped the production of a
particular model.
6. IMEI Number
Every genuine android mobile phone should have an IMEI Number.
An IMEI number is called the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number.
The IMEI number can be used to verify if a mobile device is real or fake.
Most fake or counterfeit android phones don't have an IMEI number or use a fake one.
Before
you buy an android phone check the IMEI number,most times it is written
on the phone packaging or under the phone's battery.
You can also press *06 on the phone to find out the
IMEI number.
A real IMEI number will reveal information like the android device's country of production, manufacturer and model type Etc
7. Batteries
You
can spot a fake android phone from its batteries,although this is
usually difficult because the batteries will look like the genuine one.
8. Genuine Sellers
They
are some registered and trusted retailers in Nigeria like Slot Mobile
Phones, Fine Brothers Etc, consider buying your phones from trusted
retailers,that sell some of the cheapest and best top affordable android
devices in Nigeria.
9. Warranty
Check
for the phones warranty,most genuine mobile phone retailers offer a
limited warranty that covers the handset for a limited amount of time.
Some Nigerian phone retailers like Slot Nigeria also issues phone warranty.
Android Phones that don't come with warranty might be a refurbished phone.
Also ensure to keep the receipt of your Android device so that you can claim a warranty if your device is faulty.
10. Android Phone Price
Most
fake or refurbished android phones are sold at a very cheap price
whereas the genuine phone is usually sold at a higher price,so when you
see an android phone being sold at a ridiculously cheap price,then it
might be a fake phone.
11. Check The Screen
Check
on the android device screen’s brightness and vibrancy,an original
android screen is vibrant,lively and bright, Fake devices show dull
colors and images.
12. Multi Task
Check
the Android phone,by running your finger over the phone,look out for
any cheap plastic finishing or logo,Multi-task by opening multiple
applications.
Play music in the background and open many other applications.
Do
not close applications,just press the Home button and open other apps
and games,a fake or refurbished android phone will run sluggishly or
hang.
You can also run embedded or follow come games on the phone to check the android phone graphics.
13. Android Codes
You can also check the authenticity of an android phone by dialing some of these android codes.
A genuine android device will respond,while a fake one won't.
Check out the codes below:
- #06# [Displays device IMEI number]
- *#1234# [Displays device current firmware]
- *##1472365## [GPS test settings]
- ##197328640## [Service mode main menu]
- ##4636## [Diagnostic and general settings mode]
- #0# [General Test Mode]
- #0228# [ADC Reading]
- *#0283# [Audio Loopback Control]
- *#0289# [Melody Test Mode]
- *#03# [NAND Flash S/N]
- *#0588# [Proximity Sensor Test Mode]
- *#0589# [Light Sensor Test Mode]
- *#0673# [Audio Test Mode]
- *#07# [Test History]
- *#0782# [Real Time Clock Test]
- *#0842# [Vibra Motor Test Mode]
- *#12580369# [SW & HW Info]
- *#1575# [GPS Control Menu]
- *#2263# [RF Band Selection]
- *#232331# [Bluetooth Test Mode]
- *#232337# [Bluetooth Address]
- *#232338# [WLAN MAC Address]
- *#232339# [WLAN Test Mode]
- *#2663# [TSP / TSK firmware update]
Nigerian Computer Village:
Some
of the android phones sold there are cloned android devices from
China,so if you must buy from the computer village,then make sure you
carry out all the steps I have mentioned above.
Also
try to make a call with the phone at the point of purchase,disassemble
and check the phones accessories,the back and batteries.
