Checking a Samsung phone before purchasing. How to check IMEI on Samsung and what is it for? What should the camera be like in an original smartphone?

Ever since Samsung released its leading series of smartphones and tablets - Galaxy S and Note, vigilant manufacturers of counterfeit products (mainly Chinese) began to massively counterfeit the most popular product trademark. According to law enforcement agencies, an increase in sales of counterfeits Samsung Galaxy in recent years, it has even surpassed fake iPhones.

Among the fakes there are primitive copies and replicas of Samsung Galaxy S4, S5, S6 and phone models as close as possible to the originals. Samsung tablets Galaxy Note 3 and Note 4.

It’s easy to fall for a fake gadget when buying it second-hand or in online stores - before buying, you should familiarize yourself with the differences between the original and the fake.

Determining the originality of Samsung Galaxy

1. Pricing policy and place of purchase

How many equipment manufacturers say: branded equipment should be bought exclusively in certified stores! Many people continue to buy gadgets on classifieds websites, markets, in subway passages, or even hand-me-downs on the street. Careless behavior is dictated by the desire to save several thousand on a purchase. But when the Chinese device starts to work incorrectly, there will be no one to complain.

Remember: the receipt and guarantee in our time are forged by craftsmen, who are then impossible to find to return the low-quality purchase. And in the official service center They won't even listen to you.

Samsung has repeatedly stated that it does not offer discounts on top models (Samsung Galaxy S4, S5, S6; Samsung Galaxy Note 3, Note 4). The price is half the market price (supposedly a sale) and clearly indicates a fake.

2. Appearance of the gadget

• The screen diagonal size of a fake Samsung Galaxy is often slightly different from the original. To be able to compare, it is better to find out the actual sizes in advance on the Samsung website.
• Samsung smartphones Galaxy latest generations have metal case, and the screen is made of highly durable glass protected by Gorilla Glass technology, which protects the surface from scratches and cracks. It is too expensive for manufacturers of Chinese counterfeits to use such materials - they usually make do with plastic.

3. Operating system

Samsung operates on the Android platform, which is freely available and can be used on counterfeit devices. However, the Chinese are trying to reduce the cost of this part of production by installing cheap operating systems like “KitKat” on phones.

To check this nuance, go to the “Settings” (“About device”) section. Or you can simply scroll through the menu on your desktop. Android 5th generation runs smoothly and quickly. Chinese systems slow down and freeze when scrolling.

4. Menu translation

As with any gadgets frequently counterfeited by the Chinese, fake Samsung Galaxy are subject to “difficulties in translation.”

When you quickly scroll through the menu of a fake phone or tablet model, you can see serious failures:

• Incorrect translation of words and entire sentences
• Spelling mistakes
• Chinese characters instead of Russian and English

5. Performance characteristics

Processor power (in the original Samsung Galaxy S6 it is 8-core), screen resolution, volume random access memory and the power of the camera can be checked by downloading Google Play and launching it on the phone special applications like AnTuTu Benchmark.

Please check the actual data for verification in advance on the official website of the manufacturer.

6. Service code

It is installed by engineers Samsung on every smartphone and is not included in the operating system itself.

In the “Phone” application, dial the combination *#7353# using the call button. If a menu appears on the screen to check the functionality of the functionality, everything is in order. Otherwise, you have a fake in your hands.

7. IMEI number

A method of checking authenticity that Samsung experts do NOT recommend using.

If the seller insists on the authenticity of the gadget, referring only to the IMEI, this is a reason to be wary. Experienced scammers often fall into the hands of original phone numbers.

The topic of this article is a hackneyed one, but nevertheless, I would still like to touch upon it again, summarizing the available information. The fact is that Chinese counterfeits of popular expensive smartphones are increasingly flooding the market. Some fakes are different high quality manufacturing, almost completely identical in appearance, they can only be identified by trifles.

The market for counterfeits is online stores. The price for them is traditionally much lower - not a thousand rubles, but 2 or more times. This is the first thing that should immediately alert you.

Physical differences

Screen edging. The original Galaxy S4 has a display that doesn't have large frame Around him. Clones often have a large space between the display and the actual edge of the smartphone.

Gaps in the housing

Home button below the screen.

• The original Galaxy S4 has a pristine white chrome piece of plastic in the shape of the Home button, and it's right in the middle of the space below the display. Clones often have a Home button just slightly below the screen and sometimes the button even has a different appearance. Clones have problems with button placement. In the original version it is placed exactly in the center of the bottom of the phone; in clones the shift is 1-2mm.
• Color of plastic on the front panel. For a real Galaxy S4, the white color may have several bluish tint in certain lighting, while the copy shows some kind of cold blue color, closer to gray-blue. Also pay attention to the size and matching of the eyes for the frontal camera, light sensors and indicators - they should be different sizes. For the Chinese they are often the same.
• Opening back panel . First of all, pay attention to the nameplate and the print quality and size of the Samsung logo on it. Pay attention to the location of the connectors and screws.

Pay attention to screws, plugs, stickers

Compare the nameplates carefully

Left - original, right - fake

Let's compare batteries:

On the right is a fake

Hardware filling

Chinese clones are made on the basis of other chipsets and processors and have a more primitive screen matrix and camera. The original device uses a quad-core processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 APQ8064T, 1900 MHz (in older Exynos 5 Octa 5410 models). The PowerVR SGX 544MP3 chip (Adreno 320 in GT-I9505) is used as a video accelerator. The amount of RAM is 2 GB. Clones most often use cheap MTK or Richtek chips, less often Exynos.

You can study the hardware and detect it using test utilities CPU-Z, GPU-Z and AnTuTu Benchmark. The first two allow you to see the processor model and graphics core accordingly, and the last one is to test performance. The performance of a real device is more than 28,000 points, the Chinese usually have less.

MTK processor and reduced amount of RAM visible in CPU-Z

• Dial *#0*#. If you find yourself in service menu, then either it is a very good fake (or an original device produced for another region) or an original.
• You can also install programs Genuine Galaxy - Phone Info or Phone INFO ★Samsung★, which will show all the information about the body stuffing and even tell you whether it is genuine or not.
• Functions often do not work on clones NFC, gesture or eye control. Don't forget to check!
• As for the camera, the quality of the pictures is much lower, there is not a large range of settings, and, often, you cannot choose the quality and resolution of the photo.

Software

Of course, the clone runs on a very similar customized Android, but the version is not the same. The original comes with Android 4.2.2 ( Jelly Bean), while in the Build number information you can see a mismatch between the number and the name of the OS version. In addition, the original device comes with branded shell TouchWiz 5.0 (Nature UX), which is “visible to the eye.”

On the right is a very high-quality fake with a substitution of the IMEI and serial number of the device. The only difference is the OS version - 4.2.9

And here the OS version is correct, but the Build number gives a fake:

Build number contains Gingerbread, which corresponds to Android 2.3 OS. At the same time, the above version of the OS is correct. Not a bad fake.

And here we see the fake Baseband version (version of the communication module):

Well, the guys didn't bother and instead of an inscription like I9505XXUFNA1, we see the ugly name of the processor :)

Note : also, an indirect way of verification can be comparison IMEI And Serial number devices. At least the IMEI on the box, in the firmware and on the nameplates must match. Dial *#06# and you will see the IMEI on the screen. You can check the authenticity of the IMEI on the website http://www.imei.info/ or by calling Samsung technical support.

Even if the IMEI turns out to be genuine (Samsung released a device of the same model with the same IMEI for a particular region), this does not mean that the device is genuine. The fact is that the Chinese have learned to flash real, but stolen IMEI and serial numbers into their firmware. So such a check cannot be considered complete.

Due to the fact that some people want to save a lot on buying a new gadget from a well-known brand, Chinese craftsmen are churning out a large number of fakes, and sellers who want to make extra money on naive and little-understanding citizens are actively importing copies into local markets and selling them on trading platforms, auctions, in passages, stalls or just on the street. They did not bypass the Samsung Galaxy S7 either. Now copies of this smartphone enough in the CIS countries. If you are thinking of purchasing this device yourself or from little-known retail outlets, and do not want to be deceived, read some tips on how to distinguish a fake Samsung Galaxy S7 from the original.

Distinctive features of a fake

Life hack: How to check the authenticity of a smartphone when purchasing

• Take a closer look at the body materials. The shell of the phone should consist of glass and metal. No plastic angled to match these materials. It is also worth paying attention to how accurately the elements are placed and the holes are made. There should be no skewed or loose parts of the body.
• Evaluate the quality of the display module. On original screen there is no way you can see the pixel grid due to high resolution and a large number of pixels per inch. Unless you look at it under a magnifying glass. From any viewing angle, the picture on a genuine display should be bright and rich in colors. The sensor must respond instantly even to light touches.
• Check system localization. Samsung completely localizes the firmware for its smartphones, so there should be no English inscriptions on the desktop, in the notification shade or in the settings menu. Of course, there is an option that they are trying to sell you a camera version intended for sale on the European or American market. However, in this case the seller must warn you about this.
• Take a look at the Android OS version. A genuine Samsung Galaxy S7 must have Android OS version 6.0.1 or higher. Get version information operating system You can do it in your smartphone settings.
• Check specifications . You can get complete information about the hardware of your smartphone using applications such as AnTuTu Benchmark and CPU-Z. If they are already present on your phone, we recommend that you delete them and install them again from the Google Play Store or using APK files. The fact is that a fake gadget may have specially prepared versions of these applications with fake information about it. When viewing the characteristics of a smartphone in programs, you just need to pay attention to the name of the processor and screen resolution. Inside the real Samsung Galaxy S7 there may be Exynos processor 8890 or Snapdragon 820. Screen resolution should not be lower than 1440 x 2560 pixels.
• Use service code. To check the authenticity of your smartphone, you can use a special code *#7353#, which opens the service menu. You need to enter it on the dialer of the Phone application. However, keep in mind that it may not work on custom firmware.
• Check IMEI. There is no complete confidence that this check will detect a fake, since skilled copy makers have learned to fake IMEI. But it’s still worth doing. To do this, you need to contact official support on the company’s website, send the IMEI specialists, which can be seen under the barcode on the phone box or obtained using the combination *#06#.

There are many nuances when buying a smartphone in person, as well as in unknown local and online stores. In such cases, the chances of encountering a fake are extremely high. Especially if the price of the phone is significantly reduced. Therefore, when choosing a new device, do not fall for the tricks of sellers, keep a “cold” mind and use our tips to check the authenticity of your smartphone. And best of all, purchase the phone at an authorized point of sale. This way you will save yourself from headaches and wasting time.

In this article we will try to answer the question how to find out whether Samsung is original or not. Since Samsung is a brand with an excellent reputation, there will be a large number of fakes. On this moment In addition to the original Samsung phones, there are a huge number of copies that can be very similar to the originals in almost everything. There are such high-quality fakes that the average user will not be able to determine whether it is a copy or an original; the case may be good quality and excellent assembly; copies can also have the same version of the operating system with a proprietary shell installed Samsung with the same menu and the same applications. As they say the most The best way to buy an original Samsung, not a copy, is to buy it from branded stores Samsung, but what to do if they are not nearby? then you should at least try to buy a phone in large retail chains. Basically, those who are looking for an expensive phone at a cheap price can run into a copy of the phone, since there are no good and cheap ones. There is a price for a phone below which it cannot be, and if they charge you for half the price, then you should think about whether it is a copy. For an experienced user who has already used an original phone, it will not be difficult to distinguish the original from a fake, but an inexperienced user will not be able to determine it even after he starts using it.

Nowadays, many Chinese companies are counterfeiting the most branded phones, including Samsung. But how can you tell whether it’s an original Samsung or not when purchasing? Know that even by IMEI you will not be able to 100% determine whether the phone is original. Let's give a few simple tips, which will help us avoid running into a copy and distinguish a copy from the original.

1) Buy from large retail chains mobile phones. Preferably in branded stores.

2) Take with you an experienced user, someone who is well versed in phones.

3) Carefully inspect the phone case and compare it with the one shown on the official Samsung website. The case must be assembled perfectly, there should be nothing loose, and you may also find some gross differences that will indicate that this is a copy. For example, the camera may be off to the side, the buttons may be placed in the wrong place, or the display may be slightly larger or smaller than on the original. There may also be a difference in the number of SIM cards or in the format of SIM cards than stated on the Samsung website.

4) Turn on the phone and see how the picture is displayed on the screen, on the originals the picture is clear, for an experienced user it will not be difficult to determine the quality of the display, unless of course a good display was installed in the copy. Find out what version of the operating system is on the original and compare it. Also look carefully at the quality of the text display, it should be in Russian and English languages, on original Samsung There should be no errors or crooked fonts, everything in the menu should be neat and correct, and if you see hieroglyphs and there is a discrepancy in the text, then you have a copy.

5) Another method on Android Samsung check for originality This is to dial the command *#7353# on your phone, after which a menu should appear on the screen. Look at the screenshot below. This service code is initially absent on Android, but on Samsung it is available.

6) If you bought a Samsung phone and want to know the original or a copy, then you can install one of the applications, for example "AnTuTu", thanks to it you can fully find out all the characteristics of the phone such as: screen resolution, processor power, amount of RAM and internal memory, camera resolution and etc., and then compare with the characteristics of the original.

7) Do not pick up phones on the street or in other places, despite the fact that they promise to sell you the original at a reduced price, in most cases it is a copy and even of poor quality. Such people (scammers) know how to choose a communication style for each person and can persuade you to buy a phone by praising its quality and powerful characteristics and will not even let you figure it out properly. As a result, even those who didn’t even think about buying buy it, this psychological effect really has an effect on people, and even I myself once bought a phone from them. And the most dangerous thing in this matter is that if you bought a non-original phone, there is no one to complain to, and even if it suddenly gets damaged, then there is no guarantee. In a word, when buying a phone secondhand, you are buying a pig in a poke.

8) Here is another code for checking Samsung for originality left in reviews *#1234#, checked, it works. Shows the build number, production date, device model and other information depending on the smartphone model.

If you know any other methods that can help identify an original Samsung from a fake, then we kindly ask you to add a comment below in the reviews, so that you will be left with helpful information users.

• I hope this article helped you and you learned at least a little how to distinguish an original Samsung from a copy and don't buy a fake.
• We will be glad if you leave a review, comment, useful advice or addition to the article.
• if you have useful tips, then you can place them on our website on a separate page, where the author of the article will be indicated.
• Thank you for your responsiveness, mutual assistance and useful advice!

23-07-2018
15 o'clock 55 min.
Message:
You can check on the Samsung support website

16-06-2018
12 o'clock 28 min.
Message:
*#06# IMEI number compare with the numbers on the boxes. I can easily recognize a fake right away. and buy the original s9 plus 256 gb

17-05-2018
10 o'clock 06 min.
Message:
Don't consider it spam, I won't give advice, but I'm sincerely grateful for detailed instructions and combinations of clicks (especially tests) to check for originality. Thank you very much, it was very useful!!!

05-03-2018
07 o'clock 02 min.
Message:
You can also look at the display, the normal display is black when turned off, and the cheap Chinese one is gray.

05-03-2018
06 o'clock 57 min.
Message:
You can also look in the “About phone” settings. The copy will have FD at the end, while the original will have F.

02-01-2018
6 p.m. 03 min.
Message:
This code will only work on originals: "*#0*#

07-10-2017
13 o'clock 37 min.
Message:
what if you clicked on the android version several times and the word lollipop came up? Fake?

03-05-2017
15 o'clock 32 min.
Message:
I know for 6 and 7 Samsung. At the bottom, the “return” and “icons” buttons light up evenly and clearly. The piece has darkening and the light is interrupted.

25-04-2017
11 p.m. 40 min.
Message:
Both special service codes did not help determine whether my Android Samsung smartphone is genuine or not. it's a pity! With sincere respect, I would like to receive an explanation.

22-01-2017
12 o'clock 29 min.
Message:
Hi all. Well, you can also enter *#1234# and the build number and date will appear there. It definitely can't be faked.

11-01-2017
20 o'clock 13 min.
Message:
The Samsung showroom advised: call the support center at 8-800-555-55-55, they will check the number and IMEI, etc.

29-11-2016
6 p.m. 01 min.
Message:
Another way to check the originality of the phone on Android is by simply typing the command *#0000#* and also checking the serial number *#06#

12-08-2016
15 o'clock 19 min.
Message:
Well, you made me laugh. This is a funny bunny from the developers. That's how it should be.

23-06-2016
11 o'clock 53 min.
Message:
You need to go to the settings department and at the very bottom there is information about the phone, go in and click on the aondroid version several times, if the letter “K” comes out, then this is the original, if a zombie comes out with an android photo, then this is a semi-original, but if the red bean comes out, then this is a craft.

19-04-2016
00 o'clock 16 min.
Message:
*#0*# the best check

15-04-2016
17 o'clock 01 min.
Message:
dial *#0808#*

10-04-2016
20 o'clock 07 min.
Message:
I beat sm-g355h original made in CHINA installed root rights everything is working. I also bought this model MADE IN INDIA, this smart device did not have root installed. In the recovery menu I can’t do what it won’t do. Help, the root is taken.

Phone owners often save money by buying them on dubious trading platforms. Their sellers are not always honest, unlike official retailers. Therefore, in order to avoid becoming a victim of counterfeit phones such as Samsung, it is advisable to check its originality when purchasing.

What is the difference between originals and fakes?

To check samsung smartphone You don’t need to be a guru in this area to be original when purchasing. It is enough to know three codes or install one of the applications that will help distinguish a fake from a genuine Samsung Galaxy S7, 8, 9 and other models:

1. *# 06# - shows IMEI. Numbers must be displayed that will coincide with those indicated under the smartphone battery.
2. Service menu - *#7353# . On almost all original Samsungs engineering menu is launched by this combination.
3. *#1234# — shows the build number, production date, device model.
4. Under battery , next to the serial number is the IMEI.
5. Using the QR code in the Antutu application, you can check the originality of the phone.

If at least one code does not work, then there is a high probability of fraud. If the first code does not work, then there is no need to even doubt that it is a fake.

It is worth noting that all authentication methods are relevant not only for a phone, but also for a tablet.

Checking using the service code

On simple Android no test menu. It is added specifically by Samsung developers. To see it and understand whether the phone is fake or real, the user will need to dial the following code − *#7353# . A list will be displayed on the screen, which is shown in the picture below.

If after entering this code nothing happens, then the user is most likely holding a fake.

Note! All service combinations entered in a standard dialer. Pressing dial is usually not required.

Using IMEI

It is also recommended to check the authenticity by IMEI and serial number. This can be done on the official Samsung website:

Another way - compareIMEIcode, displayed on the screen with what is written on the sticker under the battery. For this it will be necessary take off back cover , battery and see if the numbers are identical.

In addition, you can call Customer Support by phone 8 800 555 55 55. Consultants will answer and confirm or deny the requested information.

Checking the characteristics

Each phone has its own declared characteristics. Chinese fakes may vary. You need to go to a website with information about the smartphone model and compare it with your phone.

For example, if the official Samsung website states that the camera should be 16 MP, then original phone its meaning should match declared.

It is recommended to install the AIDA 64 utility. This app displays all characteristics smartphone on the screen. All that remains is to check them with the official ones.

Appearance

Recognize a fake Samsung phone the original will also help appearance. You need to be careful when purchasing and pay attention to translation quality applications that appear on the screen. In addition, the fake will vary greatly in weight. Chinese gadgets are usually lighter than branded ones. Besides:

1. In the copy flash and scanner fingerprints may be out of place.
2. Display may be a little more or a little less than the original.
3. Format and quantity SIM cards may differ from those stated on the website.
4. Colors pictures The screen is more saturated on the original smartphone due to the more modern AMOLED matrix installed in it.
5. Installed old version Android.

Turning on your smartphone

When switching on, pay attention to the following:

• slow work interface;
• abrupt transition between desktops;
• not supported automatic update firmware;
• program activation take a lot of time;
• poor quality photographs.

All these signs indicate that the owner Chinese fake, not the original Samsung.

Testing apps

Antutu

In order to check the authenticity of a smartphone using the Antutu application, you need to do the following:

1. Download from Google Play.
2. Go to the y.antutu.com web page on the user’s smartphone. DisplayedQRcode.
3. On the gadget that the user is going to buy, open the utility Antutu Officer.
4. Click Start.
5. Get message.

If " Good" on a green background, this means that the phone is original. This method works with all phones.

You can download another application from Google Play called Phone Info Samsung:

Using the methods described above to check the authenticity of a Samsung, the buyer will be able to avoid becoming a victim of a counterfeit and buy a smartphone that will serve him for many years.