Is Your Phone Original?

There are so many popular brands out there who are manufacturing phones nowadays but bet me anything that is good can and is always duplicated from packaged food, computers, spare parts, mobile phones etc. that is why we have taken it upon ourselves to help you buy quality and original phone so you don't regret one day.

Here is a couple of ways you can find out if your phone is ORIGINAL or FAKE....

First Check the following Features :

Be careful about the spellings For example, Soniericsson, Nokla and Samsvng

Warranties:  Always insist on 12 months warranty certificate from the handset manufacturers; Never an oral agreement with the seller. Fake phones come with a shorter warranty periods since counterfeiters cannot guarantee it will last so long

KNOW THE PHONE

It is important to do a little research before buying a new phone. You should only buy a phone made by a trusted manufacturer. Before committing to a purchase you should know the phone's specific model number, available colors, features, what software and hardware comes included and what warranty is offered with the product. Information about a specific model of phone can be found on the manufacturer’s website or through a registered retailer. Once you have this information it will make the job of identifying a fake much easier.

APPEARANCE

On first glance a counterfeit phone may appear identical to a genuine model. On closer comparison you may be able to identify some obvious differences between a genuine and a fake such as: the colour, location of buttons, size or spelling of the brand name. Some fakes are less obvious. Counterfeiters are able to mimic design details down to minute details making it difficult to tell if a phone is genuine. If you are able to view the product in person you may be able to notice a difference in weight, screen size, location of buttons and battery, quality of printing and paint finish, added or missing functions, quality control stickers and holograms and an overall lack of quality.

FEATURES

Counterfeit phones can have differing features to genuine models, such as dual SIM cards, analogue TV etc. Check the model number and technical specifications of the genuine phone you wish to buy and ensure they match what is being offered. Counterfeit phones also often appear to offer features that are either just not there or that are not as they are said to be. For example, built-in cameras might be said to be 8 megapixel when they are not - or offer GPS when they don't. Counterfeit phones may also differ from a genuine in colour availability, memory capacity, camera megapixels, screen quality and operating system. It is important to compare technical features to ensure the phone is genuine.

FUNCTIONALITY

Black market phones are made from sub-standard and cheap components and often run on 2nd rate or pirated operating systems.

Counterfeiters use cheap older generation chip-sets, which may offer the same functionality as a genuine model but at far slower processing speeds.

If you have unknowingly purchased a fake phone you will realize very quickly once you turn it on. Processing speeds are often much slower, operating systems have missing features and the phone may not be compatible with affiliated software and applications.

AVAILABILITY

Counterfeit mobile phones tend to pour on to the market when a genuine model is out of stock or unavailable.

Often if manufacturers and registered sellers say a model is out of stock or unavailable, counterfeits begin to appear on auction websites and through unregistered sellers. This is also common when a phone is not available in certain colors.

You Can Also Identify fake phones through their IMEI

IMEI stands for International Mobile Equipment Identity. It is a 15-digit number and may be found in the packet of the mobile phone. It may also be found by removing the back cover and it may be placed on the battery sticker.This is a 15 digit found at the back of phones or their batteries.

The number might be like this:

3 6 9 3 9 5 0 1 2 3 5 5 6 7 8

If you can't find it you can go to the dial screen and dial *#06#

Now look at the 7th and 8th digit. These two digits will ensure your phone’s quality!

• If the seventh and eighth digits are 00 this indicates your cell phone is manufactured in Original Factory which ensures the best quality.

• If the seventh and eighth digits are 01 or 10 this indicates your cell phone is manufactured in Finland which is high quality.

• If the seventh and eighth digits are 13 this indicates your cell phone is assembled in Azerbaijan which is too bad. And it is also dangerous for health!

• If the seventh and eighth digits are 02 or 20 this indicates your cell phone is assembled in Emirates which is very poor quality. (NB: Some Indian sets have this number)

• If the seventh and eighth digits are either 03/30 04/40, this indicates your phone is made in China but its quality is good. But not good either as 00, 01 or 10.

• If the seventh and eighth digits are 05 or 50 this indicates your cell phone is manufactured either in Brazil or USA or Finland.

• If the seventh and eighth digits are 06 or 60 this indicates your cell phone is manufactured either in Hong Kong, or China or Mexico.

• If the seventh and eighth digits are 08 or 80 this indicates your cell phone is manufactured in Germany which is fair quality.

This will help you to pick the good one. Try it. But, remember, these tips may not work with the Sony Erickson Mobile Phone.Though the above information has been collected from very reliable sources, 1 or 2 of them may slightly vary.