Before you decide to buy a smartphone, have you ever wondered how to detect fake android phones in Nigeria?
Mobile phones have become very important these days. We use them for making calls, chatting, browsing the internet, taking pictures, and make use of apps, among others.
Android phones are very common in Nigeria as they have different types, brands, and prices.
Nowadays, there are so many sales of fake Android phones that look exactly like the original ones, and this is very sad. You can end up buying a fake phone, thinking it’s the original, among others.
This article will help you identify fake Android phones in Nigeria before buying. These tips will guide you to be a safe shopper, either online or in a store offline, so you’ll get value for your money.
What is a fake Android phone?
A cloned phone is an imitation phone. It’s designed after the real one but not in the real company.
For example, someone can design a phone that looks like a Samsung or Infinix or Tecno phone but the inside is different.
The parts used to make these phones are most times low quality and will wear out easily. They can also use fake logos and names.
Why are fake phones bad?
Fake Android phones have many problems, such as:
- They spoil quickly.
- They don’t get software updates.
- They can hang or be slow.
- Their camera and battery are very poor.
- Some of them even carry viruses or steal your information.
That’s why you should always check well before buying a phone.
How to detect fake Android phones in Nigeria before you buy
Here are simple and easy ways to know if a phone is fake:
1. Check the phone box
First thing to do is to check the box of the phone. Genuine phones are packaged in a neat, strong box, well sealed with quality materials.
The box should be well labelled with the name, logo and other labels. And also, the name and logo should be printed clearly without any mistakes in the spelling and also without the spelling being faded.
The phone, a charger, earphones (if included), a user manual and in some cases, a warranty card or the list of the service centres should be found inside the box.
The items should be arranged correctly and should not appear rushed and dirty. Be wary when the box is cheap, scuffy, low quality, has spelling errors, is opened or tampered with.
It may be a fake phone, and you might be cheated.
2. Check the phone’s build and design
Fake phones are almost similar to the original, though not but not when you take a closer look.
Always check the phone at least a day before buying. Look at the brand sign, the camera shape and the angle of its position and the position of the buttons on the side.
Anything that seems strange or unusual to what you have seen in the official site or in the ads is a red flag. Feel the phone body. When it is too light to hold, or when it looks cheap, or when it is made of low-end plastic then it could be fake.
Some imitated phones have the sticker or label removed and underneath a different name appears.
Make sure to check.
3. Check the IMEI number
All original phones are serialised and credited with a special and unique number called IMEI or International Mobile Equipment Identity.
This number also helps to identify every phone and can be used to verify if it’s the original phone or not.
All you have to do is dial *#06# on the phone dial pad to view the IMEI number. The screen will display a 15-digit number. Write it down or screenshot it.
Then input the number in www.imei.info and you may get information about the phone, including the brand and model.
When the phone displays the IMEI number, but it does not match the IMEI number on the box and the web, it’s highly likely that the phone is fake.
4. Check the operating system
Official Android phones have real, manufacturer-made Android operating systems that originated from Google.
They are also smoother, safer and continuously being updated to fix bugs and add new features.
They also have safe applications like Google Play Store, Gmail, YouTube and Google Maps pre-installed.
The knock-offs, however, tend to run on low-quality software that only looks like Android on the outside but is not the same on the inside. Such bogus systems can be very slow, missing some critical functions or crashing frequently.
At least some of them cannot even access the Play Store to download apps.
Then again, if the phone software looks strange or misbehaves, it would have been a fake phone that looks to have Android on it.
To check:
- Go to Settings > About phone.
- Check the Android version.
- If the phone says ‘Android 13,’ for example, but is slow or looks outdated, it might not be a genuine Android device.
You can also check Google apps. The software usually installed in most original Android phones is Google Play Store, Gmail, YouTube and other Google apps.
The phone may be fake if it’s missing or not functioning properly.
5. Use the phone for a few minutes before buying
Ask the seller to let you try the phone. Use it to:
- Open apps
- Take pictures
- Browse the internet
- Make a call
If the phone is very slow, heats up in a short time even with light usage, hangs and freezes a lot on simple actions like calling or texting, it’s a sign that the phone is fake or made with very low-quality components.
Normal use of the phones ensures that the original phones work smoothly and cool. Fake phones don’t have good processors and materials that can’t support daily activities on a phone.
6. Check the battery and charger
Most of the counterfeit phones have low-quality batteries and chargers. Original phone accessories are durable and well-branded.
Watch out to see:
- If the battery says “BL” (Battery Lithium), confirm it matches the model.
- If the charger is light, loose or has wrong spellings, it might be fake.
- Avoid phones with loose USB ports or fake charging points.
7. Use Google’s device info app
Google has apps that can help you know the phone’s true identity. You can install apps like:
- CPU-Z
- Device Info HW
- Droid Info
Through these apps, the actual specifications of the phone, such as the processor, camera, screen size and others, will be displayed.
Be careful if it’s different from what the seller told you.
Here, get it – Google Device Info App.
8. Compare prices
Fake Android phones are often sold at extremely low prices. The price is most likely fake if it’s too good to be true.
For example, why is a Samsung Galaxy S22 so cheap if it’s being sold for ₦60,000.
Before buying, always check prices on reliable websites like Konga, Slot, Jumia or the official website of the phone manufacturer.
9. Buy from trusted sellers
To avoid buying fake phones, buy from:
- Official stores or dealers
- Trusted online shops
- Well-known mobile shops
Don’t buy from strangers, random WhatsApp contacts or street vendors. Even if they give you a “discount”, you’ll end up paying more in the long run.
10. Check the warranty and receipt
A warranty and a receipt usually come with original phones.
The warranty is a document that certifies that the phone can be fixed or replaced within a specific time frame.
This is not included with fake phones. After buying, always ask for a receipt. Leave a vendor if they won’t give you one.
Extra tips to stay safe
- Dont Hurry
Before you buy, take your time and make sure everything is right.
- Bring a Phone-savvy person
If you are not too good at understanding phones, someone may sell a refurbished phone, copy or replace a spoiled phone to you. So it is advisable you go there with someone you knows who understands phone stuff more than you, to be able to figure out things properly.
- Test the camera
The cameras on fake phones are usually bad. Try to use both front and back cameras.
- Check the storage on the mobile device
Go to Settings > Storage. It’s a fake phone if it’s advertised as 128GB and only shows 8GB.
- Ask questions
There is nothing to be shy about, after all, it’s your money. You can’t be shy to purchase, and you must not make people feel good while you walk home and cry later on. Be bold but polite to ask any form of questions regarding the phone to understand what you are buying. If answers are not clear enough and you feel it’s not the best fit for you, please walk away.
Conclusion
Wasting your money on a fake device is a waste. Many smart businessmen in Nigeria take advantage of customers by selling them copied phones and pretending they are real phones.
Now I’m glad you understand how to spot fake Android phones in Nigeria before you buy easily.
Don’t forget to always check the IMEI number, compare prices, test the phone, and so on.
You will smile after buying your phone if you follow my instructions in this article. You can’t afford to lose; always take your time.
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