Fake versions of popular phones are everywhere, so it is vital buyers know how to check if your Samsung phone is original. Whether it is flagship models like the Samsung S24 or mid-range phones like the Samsung A73, you can never be too careful.
These knock-off copies often mimic the design and features of the genuine phone, looking and feeling almost identical. People seeking cheap phone deals are regular victims of these counterfeits.
Luckily, there are several things you can do to make sure that the phone you are buying is not a Samsung fake.
How to Check If Your Samsung Phone Is Original or Fake
Your Samsung phone may seem like a perfect piece of technology, but many people still get cheated when buying a new smartphone from a third-party online or offline retailer.
If you're not sure whether your new phone is genuine, you can check a few things to make sure you're not being scammed.
Check the Packaging and Inspect the Physical Device
The first step to verify if your Samsung phone is original or not is checking its packaging. Genuine Samsung smartphones always come with high-quality, aesthetically sealed, and branded boxes. The seals and stickers should be tampering-proof.
Inspect the Samsung logo and other small elements on the box, as they should be clear, sharp, and not have any typos or smudges. The box should also have essential details like the model number, serial number, and IMEI number, and these details should match the device itself.
Once your smartphone is unboxed, closely inspect its physical attributes and check for any signs of poor craftsmanship. Also, check if the Samsung logo on the device is precisely printed and free from errors. Logos on fake Samsung phones are often slightly off a smudged.
Open the Diagnostic Tool
Samsung's line of Galaxy smartphones features a built-in diagnostics tool to check if all the functionalities of the device are working properly. If you are suspicious that your phone is fake, Samsung's secret diagnostic test will come to your rescue.
Open the dialler and enter the following code: *#0*#.If the diagnostic tool comes up immediately, your phone is genuine.
Use Official Samsung Apps
Samsung also offers some official apps that can help verify the authenticity of your phone. One such tool is the Samsung Members app, which offers diagnostic features and support.
Just download the app from the Google Play Store and log in with your Samsung account. Once you can use the app, use the app and run diagnostic tests on your phone. These tests will help verify any issues and confirm if the phone is authentic or not.
Test the Performance
Next, you can also verify the authenticity of your Samsung smartphone by testing its performance. Genuine Samsung devices have powerful hardware and software capabilities that allow smooth multitasking and high-quality camera functions. Try opening several apps at once and then switch between them, a genuine Samsung device should handle this smoothly without lagging.
Check the device's camera by taking photos and videos. Samsung offers exceptional camera quality and features in its devices; if the quality is poor, the device might be a fake. Also, observe the battery performance as the original ones have a good battery life.
Check if Your Samsung Phone Is Original Using IMEI
An alternate way to check if a Samsung phone is fake is to check the IMEI number. The IMEI number is a unique identifier for every mobile phone.
To check the authenticity of your Samsung phone using the IMEI number, here is what you need to do:
- Open the dialer and enter the code *#06#
- Immediately, a pop-up box with the phone’s IMEI and serial numbers will appear.
- Now, cross-check the IMEI on your phone with the number on the box. If they aren't the same, then it's a fake.
- To double-check, go to the website https://www.imei.info/ and enter your IMEI number. See if the device’s model name, number, and specifications shown on the site match the specifications on the box. If they don't match, then it's a fake.
If your phone turns out to be fake, you can try returning it for a full refund. However, there's no guarantee the seller will honor your request. If they refuse, report the counterfeit sale to the police, the genuine brand owner, and any relevant authorities as soon as possible.
To avoid any kind of scam in your future purchases, it is recommended to purchase through your local Samsung Electronics Service Centre or the Samsung Electronics website or other trusted e-commerce websites (like Amazon) only.
Now that you are here have a look at how to check if your phone has a virus and how to check battery health on Android. You can also find out whether your Samsung phone supports eSIMS.