Guide to spot fake/counterfeit Galaxy Note 4

[vasekvi]

Wow. Those look real close. Thank you for posting this up. Hard to believe the fake ones have gotten that good.

Sent from my Samsung GALAXY Note Edge on AT&T

 

[Inquisitive1]

actually, when new phones come out, PLENTY of them get listed online here in America. At least that's how it is in Vegas and NYC.
I actually don't buy from online dealers that don't possess a receipt for the product and a phone call to the manufacturer. This was a last minute buy for my birthday while on my way to a charity event plus it made no sense to pay full price. T-mobile wanted 900 plus tax, I went to a private store and purchased the unlocked verizon version for $650. Used my card as proof of purchase and took pics of the seller with phone in hand. No problems and I verified it was real when I got home

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[NewYorkChic]

I am so sorry this happened to u dude! People are so mean and wicked..

 

[Mrluky]

be safe ,don't pay for it.

 

[kaicho]

"

Thanks for the effort and the great info... it's very well done!

I'm just amazed where they get the parts to build the fake looking phones.

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk

 

[Jaqjaq]

That is just so bad. So sorry that you have experienced that. I just got my note 4 and i sure was worried. But then i got mine thru a mobile carrier here in the Philippines. So it was legit.
These among other reasons are why I am not fond of online transactions; may it be new or used.

 

[est0que]

Good luck.

 

[GalaxyOnyxWitch]

I just felt the need to chime in here for all of those who posted a "You should have known better" or a "I would never do that" thread.

There are thousands of people who sell their used electronics on sites like craigs list and kajiji etc. I for one shopped pretty hard on kajiji looking for a second hand iphone 5S for my mom. I decided not to buy that way because it was for my mom and the comfort of Applecare was worth the price of 200.00 more for her. I can also afford to buy it outright unlike some others.

I have even sold older mobile devices via this method. There are also lots of people who buy brand new phones on release day and sell them via these websites to places where they know there is high demand and low supply. So there is just as much more of a likelihood of getting the genuine article than getting scammed. Now I know that usually when they do this they sell the device at same cost or even a bit more and this should be a tip.

But putting posts up condemning the OP because he made a different choice that you did, is not helpful. It serves no purpose. I think in circumstances when someone is putting out some information to help the community that people should step off of their pedestal and just appreciate the post silently knowing that while YOU may be lucky/smart/whatever enough to have dodged that bullet that there are others who this post does help and berating the OP doesn't exactly ensure that similar type posts will come to light to help spread this kind of information.

Just my 2cents.

 

[anon(66956)]

I just felt the need to chime in here for all of those who posted a "You should have known better" or a "I would never do that" thread.

There are thousands of people who sell their used electronics on sites like craigs list and kajiji etc. I for one shopped pretty hard on kajiji looking for a second hand iphone 5S for my mom. I decided not to buy that way because it was for my mom and the comfort of Applecare was worth the price of 200.00 more for her. I can also afford to buy it outright unlike some others.

I have even sold older mobile devices via this method. There are also lots of people who buy brand new phones on release day and sell them via these websites to places where they know there is high demand and low supply. So there is just as much more of a likelihood of getting the genuine article than getting scammed. Now I know that usually when they do this they sell the device at same cost or even a bit more and this should be a tip.

But putting posts up condemning the OP because he made a different choice that you did, is not helpful. It serves no purpose. I think in circumstances when someone is putting out some information to help the community that people should step off of their pedestal and just appreciate the post silently knowing that while YOU may be lucky/smart/whatever enough to have dodged that bullet that there are others who this post does help and berating the OP doesn't exactly ensure that similar type posts will come to light to help spread this kind of information.

Just my 2cents.

Your 2 cents are mine as well.

The OP has had a selfless attitude during this thread, showing that he is concerned first and foremost that others do not get hit the way he was. I know it would make all of us feel better if he got his money back, or even was able to sell a device he clearly represents as a knock-off to recoup some of his losses. I wish him all the best.

 

[mayconvert]

I want to thank u again for this post, saved my brother from getting a fake one today.
The guy has one on Craigslist and it says it was made in Vietnam. Mine came from Verizon brand new and says made in China. Here is a screen shot the guy sent last night.

Also if you Google his S\N it comes up as s4 and note 3

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[pappcam]

I want to thank u again for this post, saved my brother from getting a fake one today.
The guy has one on Craigslist and it says it was made in Vietnam. Mine came from Verizon brand new and says made in China. Here is a screen shot the guy sent last night.

Also if you Google his S\N it comes up as s4 and note 3

Posted via the Android Central App

My for real Note 4 was made in Vietnam.

 

[Cem FX]

Just curious .. did the s pen have a metallic or hard tip? Felt like it would scratch the screen after some use. I saw one yesterday that the seller claimed was genuine but just felt wrong so i passed on it.

 

[Haalcyon]

To the OP, I'm sorry you got hit by this and really appreciate the time you took letting us know. It usually doesn't really hurt to have 2 phones so, at this point, I would recommend keeping it and getting the genuine article when you can. You can think of it as a Note 4 Light.

 

[garakhan]

I am sorry, and this is so frustrating. Making fakes and reselling fakes are very bad karma. We should do something to help karma happen soon. What can we do?

 

[garakhan]

Also, when I buy or sell smartphones, I do it in Swappa. Supposedly they pre-screen items first. I have bought several mint conditions and refurbs there without any issues.

 

[ramonm2]

I work with phones. A customer thought it would be a good idea to buy this.

The phone broke in a week and he paid 400 USD for it.

 

[berdinkerdickle]

Is there anymore evidence that swappa phones are verified to be legit?
I won't buy from eBay because I got burned more than once on completely different items.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[Frank Theplank]

Just thought I would add my experience: got a Chinese counterfeit through ebay. Yes no heart rate monitor no finger print scanner pen did not 'hover' and no button features. Holding home power and up brought up Chinese menu no letter after the 910 on box and only one seal on the box all things you can use to spot fakes. I must admit I had no idea they were this good it fooled me for the first 5 minutes till I started pushing it as I had never tried a proper note 4. But yes so if it's a price that's too good to be true watch out! But I went for it due to ebay and pay pal cover and the seller refunded me in full apart from cheap return post which I let ride as I had taken a risk. I'm not sure this guy even realised it was a fake himself to be honest but I bet he had suspicions. Got exynos real version now via ebay...yay!

 

[sweetypie31]

I work with phones. A customer thought it would be a good idea to buy this.

The phone broke in a week and he paid 400 USD for it.

Noooooo. Please tell me this is a joke

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[Haalcyon]

Noooooo. Please tell me this is a joke

Posted via the Android Central App

I read that "Common sense" is not really common and depends on the generation one is from. I guess it's true.

from the Note 4✒