Fake Samsung Galaxy S3?

**Horse Isle** · 03-02-2013, 03:32 PM

Sorry, I am new and I do not know where to put this thread

sorry if it is in the wrong place.

Anyways, yesterday my friend purchased 3 Samsung Galaxy S3 from Thailand, and at first everything looked alright, but the phone may be fake? I am not sure, but when you boot it an Android Logo comes up, not a Samsung, the back has the cover which has a grey silver box, then Samsung over it. The design is a "Mini" but the screen is fatter? The battery says "Mobile Phone" Model: 19300 FCC ID: A3LG7I9300A
SSN:-19300AGSMH
RATED:3.8V ===:1800mA
CE 0168 (!) (Do not throw in trash icon)

IME!: 350880/02/102485/7
(Bar code)
IMEI:350880/02/102486/5
(Bar code)

Then on the top, it shows the camera, then on the left of the camera there is a flash but it has a little yellow thing on it?

The battery doesn't say Samsung but it says:

"Please refer to the manual before using battery." then front says: Standard GB/T18278-2000 Voltage 3.7V
3.7V Li-on BATTERY Li-on Batterie 9.25 Wh
3.7V Lion Bateria 3.7V Li-on Bateria 9.25Wh

Then on the top, near the turn on power button, in the back (without cover) there is a blue little sticker that says "AX" with numbers on it, then above it is the SD card disc, and above the battery there is 2 sim card slots.

It came with an instruction manual, headphones, "Smartphone Instructions" • WORK • LIFE • HELLO • PlAY then shows the Android on the bottom of the instruction manual, and tells you everything about the phone, it came with an extra battery

Then the box says "Bephone" 19300
Dual Core -- Dual Core 1.0GHz
= 5.0 (camera icon) 5MP AF Camera+2MPVT
HD (Icon) Full HD (720p)Record&Playback
Multi-codec (DivX,Xvd)
(Blue tooth icon) Bluetooth 3.0+High speed prcfile
DLna Certifed - DLNA
1800 mAh Battery

Then: Super HDAmoled, ANDROID, WIFI Certified, DLVX HD

Can someone please tell me if this is a fake/clone, I cannot fine any pictures of mine on Google none look like the one I have, just mine looks a bit more real... Or the back looks like the one so I can't tell if its fake

Thanks

**Chetan Takyar** · 03-02-2013, 05:24 PM

Originally Posted by Horse Isle

Sorry, I am new and I do not know where to put this thread

sorry if it is in the wrong place.

Anyways, yesterday my friend purchased 3 Samsung Galaxy S3 from Thailand, and at first everything looked alright, but the phone may be fake? I am not sure, but when you boot it an Android Logo comes up, not a Samsung, the back has the cover which has a grey silver box, then Samsung over it. The design is a "Mini" but the screen is fatter? The battery says "Mobile Phone" Model: 19300 FCC ID: A3LG7I9300A
SSN:-19300AGSMH
RATED:3.8V ===:1800mA
CE 0168 (!) (Do not throw in trash icon)

IME!: 350880/02/102485/7
(Bar code)
IMEI:350880/02/102486/5
(Bar code)

Then on the top, it shows the camera, then on the left of the camera there is a flash but it has a little yellow thing on it?

The battery doesn't say Samsung but it says:

"Please refer to the manual before using battery." then front says: Standard GB/T18278-2000 Voltage 3.7V
3.7V Li-on BATTERY Li-on Batterie 9.25 Wh
3.7V Lion Bateria 3.7V Li-on Bateria 9.25Wh

Then on the top, near the turn on power button, in the back (without cover) there is a blue little sticker that says "AX" with numbers on it, then above it is the SD card disc, and above the battery there is 2 sim card slots.

It came with an instruction manual, headphones, "Smartphone Instructions" • WORK • LIFE • HELLO • PlAY then shows the Android on the bottom of the instruction manual, and tells you everything about the phone, it came with an extra battery

Then the box says "Bephone" 19300
Dual Core -- Dual Core 1.0GHz
= 5.0 (camera icon) 5MP AF Camera+2MPVT
HD (Icon) Full HD (720p)Record&Playback
Multi-codec (DivX,Xvd)
(Blue tooth icon) Bluetooth 3.0+High speed prcfile
DLna Certifed - DLNA
1800 mAh Battery

Then: Super HDAmoled, ANDROID, WIFI Certified, DLVX HD

Can someone please tell me if this is a fake/clone, I cannot fine any pictures of mine on Google none look like the one I have, just mine looks a bit more real... Or the back looks like the one so I can't tell if its fake

Thanks

From that info I would say its fake because all S3's have Samsung on the back not with a sticker but imprinted on the back.

**brian10161** · 03-02-2013, 05:26 PM

Do you have any pictures of it? Be interested to see it. Access to a camera I mean.

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**Horse Isle** · 03-02-2013, 06:03 PM

I really do not have a camera right now, as my other phone is with my friend. I'll try to get pictures.

**richcuffs** · 03-02-2013, 06:34 PM

the imeis are invalid, they are registered to nokia 6800 phone.

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**brian10161** · 03-02-2013, 06:38 PM

Ah okay, sounds good than. Very interested to see how close it is.

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**Horse Isle** · 03-02-2013, 06:46 PM

I got some pictures using a small mirror & a bathroom mirror, the camera is horrible and is NOT 5.0 as I have a 5.0 Camera on my LG Shine Plus, and it's much stronger & clearer, and it has been dropped on concrete, while I just got this yesterday and the camera is horrible and it hasn't even been dropped! And a case & screen protector was put on it right away, and it was tucked away in it's packaging/box.

Sorry, for the quality I don't have my other phone with me right now & this camera is horrible...I even put my SIM card in and it wont let me text or call but it says "Mobile Network not available" and it says "Hold & Drag, Sim Card (Rogers) for bar" blah blah blah, can't remember what it says, something like that but I have to use Talkatone to call... This really annoys me.

Only some games can be downloaded, but ether it will say "Error 489" or something, or it will say "Cannot be loaded" or something.

Getting pictures, as soon as I find the "Upload" button.

**meyerweb** · 03-02-2013, 09:02 PM

To add pictures, edit your post (or start a new one) and click on the "Go advanced" button.

**Horse Isle** · 03-02-2013, 10:17 PM

Pictures are added, sorry I been busy, so I couldn't upload them faster.

**Golfdriver97** · 03-02-2013, 10:23 PM

I really think you got a fake. I would try contacting Samsung. Try to send them better pictures. They may be very interested in finding this info out. If they are fakes and someone is claiming them to be Galaxt S3s, then the seller can be prosecuted.

**r2t** · 03-02-2013, 10:25 PM

Here's a little clip to help you differentiate.

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**Horse Isle** · 03-02-2013, 10:35 PM

Yes, I do to, the thing is the camera is horrible. And my LG is better then this, my friend got them for $75 each, and he got them from Thailand, and apparently there's a lot of fakes, as the phone is very popular. It really makes me mad, as I been waiting months to purchase a Samsung Phone, but couldn't afford paying $500 - $700 at the moment on just one phone, when the price will drop soon and with the S4 coming out soon. Crappy Camera, it doesn't have the Samsung Boot Logo, Screen is fatter, No "Samsung" on the top, and the box has a little bit blue writing on it "S3 214" Also says "Bephone" & when the hardware is plugged in it says "MT65XX Android Phone"

- - - Updated - - -

R2t, I know the differences, but for this one I can't really tell, sadly I wasn't with my friend and he obviously didn't know, I'm just very sad, I was just so happy finally done with that LG after so long, and then it's a fake.

**r2t** · 03-02-2013, 10:37 PM

Originally Posted by Golfdriver97

I really think you got a fake. I would try contacting Samsung. Try to send them better pictures. They may be very interested in finding this info out. If they are fakes and someone is claiming them to be Galaxt S3s, then the seller can be prosecuted.

It's Thailand you are talking about here. There are so many counterfeit stores in major shopping malls, it's kind of hard to prosecute any of them. It pretty much falls on the buyer, it's either you have to do research before go out and buy the products from those small vendors or you go directly to the licensed stores in Thailand. It's buyer beware kind of deal IMO when it comes to purchasing electronics in Thailand.

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**Horse Isle** · 03-02-2013, 10:41 PM

R2t, and that is what I understand. He isn't familiar with Samsung phones, he didn't know, and it's not his fault, due to the popularity of the Iphone & Samsung, of course there is going to be copies, I just can't see how this little guy came out fake, it looks so believable, the screen & the feeling of it feels so believable :L And the head phones & box just didn't look right.

**r2t** · 03-02-2013, 10:42 PM

Originally Posted by Horse Isle

R2t, I know the differences, but for this one I can't really tell, sadly I wasn't with my friend and he obviously didn't know, I'm just very sad, I was just so happy finally done with that LG after so long, and then it's a fake.

Sorry to hear that. I live here in Thailand myself, and I'm telling you, those small vendors will do everything they can to fool a tourist

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**Horse Isle** · 03-02-2013, 10:51 PM

I see, I am very impressed with this duplicate though, I'm just so sad that it's not real

**brian10161** · 03-03-2013, 09:28 AM

Wow that's cheeky eh, I wish you the best of luck with it my friend. I would definitely submit the pictures to Samsung and see where it goes.

Maybe they will be nice and help you out

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**darkoman4** · 03-03-2013, 11:24 AM

He paid $75 for them? Of course they are fake. And for 75 dollars if it works, you got yourself a nice phone. If they got you for 400-500 dollars, that would be scam.

**meyerweb** · 03-03-2013, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by darkoman4

He paid $75 for them? Of course they are fake. And for 75 dollars if it works, you got yourself a nice phone. If they got you for 400-500 dollars, that would be scam.

For sure. Like they say, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."

**crester** · 03-04-2013, 08:13 AM

That's definitely a fake "Samsung"... there are companies which openly make fake versions of popular phones... like the Chinese company "Goo Phone". They were the ones who released a phone that looked just like the iPhone 5 before the actually Apple iPhone 5 was for sale... lol

If you just want a phone "that works"... some of these knock offs have decent specs... but they won't be as good as the actual Samsung products.

**alicepattinson** · 03-04-2013, 02:45 PM

There's a lot of smart phones now that are fake and I guess your friend is one of people who bought one. It's really best if you buy the phone in Samsung so you'll never have to worry.

**kj11aw** · 03-04-2013, 02:57 PM

I thnk its probably painful obvious to everyone on here that's a fake phone. Onthat first picture, are the sensors and front facing camera to the left of the earpiece? that should have been your first clue right there. You got ripped off big time. I get that you wanted the phone bad and thought you were getting a good deal, but you do know what a GS3 looks like right?

**teerone** · 03-04-2013, 03:28 PM

bummer dude sorry that happened to ya.

**mak916** · 03-04-2013, 08:59 PM

You can tell its fake also from the back of the phone when you took the back cover off. Your phone is white. When you took the back cover off the phone was a dark color on the inside. If you take the back cover off a white GS3 you will see its white inside, not dark. Here is a site that sells fake S3s. I would not buy a cell phone on this site. All of their cases are fake also.