How to spot a fake Samsung Galaxy Note 4?

[plavix]

I'm planning to buy a Samsung Galaxy Note 4 in the next couple of days. But I'm in China, where counterfeiting is rampant. And this phablet has been out for almost a month now in China. I'm not sure if this time span is enough for churning out counterfeit Samsung Galaxy Note 4. Although I plan to buy a Samsung Galaxy Note 4 at one of Samsung's authorized physical store locations in China, I'd still like to know how to spot a fake Samsung Galaxy Note 4. You know, better safe than sorry.

Any ideas?

 

[Greg C]

I'm planning to buy a Samsung Galaxy Note 4 in the next couple of days. But I'm in China, where counterfeiting is rampant. And this phablet has been out for almost a month now in China. I'm not sure if this time span is enough for churning out counterfeit Samsung Galaxy Note 4. Although I plan to buy a Samsung Galaxy Note 4 at one of Samsung's authorized physical store locations in China, I'd still like to know how to spot a fake Samsung Galaxy Note 4. You know, better safe than sorry.

Any ideas?

Pretty cool website, but not really manufacturer specific:

http://
www.spotafakephone.com/how-to-tell.cfm

http://www.spotafakephone.com/

For a Samsung Galaxy:

http://howikis.com/Identify_a_Genuine/Original_Versus_a_Fake/Cloned_Samsung_Galaxy_Phone

 

[plavix]

Thanks for sharing these useful general tips! But I wonder if there are some more specific tips on how to spot a fake Samsung Galaxy Note 4 out there.

 

[mgm83]

It has a apple logo on it...

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[Tkbredx]

I suggest trying the S Pen out because I'm pretty sure that's probably pretty hard to replicate in any phone.

 

[Phillip Pugh]

It has a apple logo on it...

Posted via the Android Central App

Haha now that is a fake the iphone6 plus hehe

Posted via Android Central App

 

[Sherryplus]

You should run Cpu Z and see the processors and info, then run antutu benchmarks. Compare the numbers with known note 4 benchmarks numbers. It should be above 40k then make sure to try to check the camera front and back by taking a photo. You'll notice Note 4 has one of the best front cameras (because of sharpness or low light performance)....

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[plavix]

I suggest trying the S Pen out because I'm pretty sure that's probably pretty hard to replicate in any phone.

trying the S Pen out? How?

 

[LegalAmerican]

trying the S Pen out? How?

Removing it from the casing and testing the "Air Commands" and maybe take a few notes to test the sensitivity of the pen.

I don't think you'll need to go in and run any benchmark tests unless it's an absolutely mind blowing fake. Every single time i've ever seen a fake phone it's been beyond obvious within seconds of picking it up. I bet you the fakes wont have a bit of metal on the casing, they'll probably misspell Samsung or it will be in shoddy ink on the back cover. I bet the button on the front is either shaped differently, or way off in size from the real deal.

 

[kinghu]

While there may be counterfeit stuff aplenty here, there's also plenty of legit sellers. Most of the time it's easy to tell. Also it's more about where you buy rather than what.

I'd advise first going to a China Mobile or China Unicom store to see what a real Note 4 looks, performs, and feels like if you've not handled one. They have stores on nearly every street in every city and, given they are carriers, will have legit devices. Try it out, get used to the feel and build quality in particular.

If you're buying the N9100 it'll be 5,399RMB. Other carrier models are a few hundred less but they're carrier locked and have fewer compatible LTE bands. You shouldn't have to pay more than this as it's the recommended retail price. Bargaining for a lower price, which is usually possible, probably won't happen - it's too new and demand is quite high. I'm fairly well-versed in getting money off almost everything but 5 sellers I visited were not budging on 5,399RMB for my 9100.

Practically any phone store that's not a shoebox type one-man affair should be ok. And don't buy from stalls in electronic markets as, at best, they will sell you a grey import without a receipt. Or with a receipt that's worthless or from a HK device when they quit selling there after a few weeks. So, learn how to ask for a receipt (给我票/gěi wǒ piào).

Aside from that, don't overplay things. Most counterfeits are really obvious. They feel lighter and flex more (more plastic), lag more (low CPU), and have lower-res screens. They also either have no logo or a similar logo. In this case it'd be 'Sumsung'!

If you're still not sure, big shopping malls are usually a safe bet. Many have chain stores for technology, and many have Samsung stores, too.

 

[plavix]

Removing it from the casing and testing the "Air Commands" and maybe take a few notes to test the sensitivity of the pen.

I don't think you'll need to go in and run any benchmark tests unless it's an absolutely mind blowing fake. Every single time i've ever seen a fake phone it's been beyond obvious within seconds of picking it up. I bet you the fakes wont have a bit of metal on the casing, they'll probably misspell Samsung or it will be in shoddy ink on the back cover. I bet the button on the front is either shaped differently, or way off in size from the real deal.

Thanks for your advice! But I think those are really the general tips for spotting an obvious fake phone. And what about those "revamped" or even "cloned" phones? I know there're those stuff in China. And I think it'd be much harder to tell from the appearances.

While there may be counterfeit stuff aplenty here, there's also plenty of legit sellers. Most of the time it's easy to tell. Also it's more about where you buy rather than what.

I'd advise first going to a China Mobile or China Unicom store to see what a real Note 4 looks, performs, and feels like if you've not handled one. They have stores on nearly every street in every city and, given they are carriers, will have legit devices. Try it out, get used to the feel and build quality in particular.

If you're buying the N9100 it'll be 5,399RMB. Other carrier models are a few hundred less but they're carrier locked and have fewer compatible LTE bands. You shouldn't have to pay more than this as it's the recommended retail price. Bargaining for a lower price, which is usually possible, probably won't happen - it's too new and demand is quite high. I'm fairly well-versed in getting money off almost everything but 5 sellers I visited were not budging on 5,399RMB for my 9100.

Practically any phone store that's not a shoebox type one-man affair should be ok. And don't buy from stalls in electronic markets as, at best, they will sell you a grey import without a receipt. Or with a receipt that's worthless or from a HK device when they quit selling there after a few weeks. So, learn how to ask for a receipt (给我票/gěi wǒ piào).

Aside from that, don't overplay things. Most counterfeits are really obvious. They feel lighter and flex more (more plastic), lag more (low CPU), and have lower-res screens. They also either have no logo or a similar logo. In this case it'd be 'Sumsung'!

If you're still not sure, big shopping malls are usually a safe bet. Many have chain stores for technology, and many have Samsung stores, too.

Thanks for the informative post! You offered us another perspective, thank you!

 

[kinghu]

Thanks for your advice! But I think those are really the general tips for spotting an obvious fake phone. And what about those "revamped" or even "cloned" phones? I know there're those stuff in China. And I think it'd be much harder to tell from the appearances.

General tips? I really don't know what more you want us to say. I've been here long enough to know where to buy from, and what I should be looking for, regardless of what product in buying.

The only way you'd buy a clone or copy Note 4 is if it was from a dubious ramshackle shop and a significantly reduced price. Just use common sense. If it's too cheap, it'll be a copy or fake. If it feels flimsy and not well built, it's a fake.

Here's some simple ways to get what you want:

1. Buy online from Amazon.cn, gome.cn, or jd.com
2. Buy from a carrier store.
3. Buy from a shopping mall.
4. Buy from a chain store like Gome (国美).
5. Argue the price. You won't get any money off.
6. Pay ¥5,199 for the Unicom/Mobile/Telecom versions, or ¥5,399 for the non-carrier 9100 version.

If you buy from a store, they will show you the unsealed box, warranty cards, IMEI barcodes, etc.

When I was buying mine they let me play with the display model for 3 hours, answered questions, tested SIM cards etc. Then when I agreed to buy they brought an sealed new one and let me fully inspect that too. Way better service than I'd get at home. The sales people in the reputable stores I listed are very helpful - they want too make a sale not rip you off.

Seriously, you're massively over-stating things.

Sent from my SM-N9100

 

[21stNow]

The last time that I saw a cloned phone was a Samsung Galaxy S III. It had a version of Android that I had never heard of and none of the Touchwiz features/apps on the phone. The person who had it also had a real Galaxy S III; he could tell the difference in the screens' resolutions and brightness. I couldn't tell the difference, but I'm not one that notices the differences in screens anyway.

 

[Trigati]

"Pffft. I know a genuine Panaphonics when I see it. And look, there's Magnetbox and Sorny!"

 

[LegalAmerican]

Thanks for your advice! But I think those are really the general tips for spotting an obvious fake phone. And what about those "revamped" or even "cloned" phones? I know there're those stuff in China. And I think it'd be much harder to tell from the appearances.

Removing the S Pen and testing Air Command isn't really a 'general tip'. That's actually something very specific that only the Note 4 can or should be able to replicate. I highly doubt those things would function properly on a fake, but even if they did the other things I mentioned should cover the rest. I've seen a lot of videos on fake Samsung devices as well as dozens of articles of this problem. The things I mentioned were all pretty common problems found in Samsung devices specifically. If a faked or cloned device passes all of these inspections, the heck, I wouldn't be all that upset to get it. And the company faking them should be in the market with their own device as they clearly would have talents and abilities that no other counterfeiter would have.

General tips? I really don't know what more you want us to say.


Seriously, you're massively over-stating things.

Sent from my SM-N9100

Exactly this. The whole reason fakes exist is so they can take advantage of misinformed people and make quick money. If a device that is a "fake" passes the things I mentioned in my post, they would have sunk enough money into their fake that they wouldn't be making any money at that point. There may be some decent fakes out there but there's no way a fake Note 4 would pass the tests we suggested unless the counterfeiter is a complete moron and doesn't understand why people counterfeit things. I think we're giving these people way too much credit.

 

[Khlood Ahmed]

I've bought a SM-N9100 but I can't find s pen featured or even had s pen in setting ..I bought it from china about a week ago when I was there but Now I'm in Egypt .. So I think it's a fake one
It's my fault I should open it and tried it frist

 

[winpeguy]

Check the AMOLED display. Are the fakes using AMOLED or LCD. This would be easy to spot.
What about the 2.5D curved screen? I think fakes would be using a flat glass as the curved glass may be harder to make

 

[TeMpTeK]

Fake note 4 warning vid
watch?v=f5wctoqYkpk

 

[heathersimon]

There's a sticky in this forum written by someone who bought a fake Note 4 and how specifically he was able to tell. The pictures tell a thousand words. Good luck.

 

[GalaxyOnyxWitch]

Thanks for sharing these useful general tips! But I wonder if there are some more specific tips on how to spot a fake Samsung Galaxy Note 4 out there.

There is a large post about this very thing here in this forum as a sticky. Shows fingerprints and everything.