Some illegally cloned mobiles may look like the originals, so it is not always easy to identify them at first glance. Therefore, if you are thinking of acquiring a second-hand mobile (either Android or iPhone) you should examine it carefully. Remember that some fakes can be very convincing.
Identify a fake iPhone
If your iPhone comes in a box, it should show the model number, serial number, and IMEI. These numbers will have to match the ones that appear when you open the application ‘settings’ and select ‘general’, ‘about’. If these specs don’t match, your phone is likely a fake.
In addition, no iPhone model has a memory card slot, so if your phone has a card slot (whether small or large) it is probably an Android that has been modified to look like an iPhone.
It is also important that you examine the Apple logo on the back of the phone. The logo should not be embossed or textured. In fact, if you rub your finger over the logo and it has a different texture than the rest of the mobile, it is quite likely that it is not an original iPhone.
Lastly, you can also compare the phone with a real iPhone of the same model. Hold both phones and make sure they are the same size. Also look at the edges and, if it’s a newer model, check that the notches are lined up exactly the same way. If the phone differs from the original iPhone, it is not authentic and it is a hoax.
Detect a fake Android
If you can, compare the phone with an Android of the same model. Hold both phones and check that they are the same size. Although some models have a variety of colors, all details must be exactly the same. If you can’t get the phone, look online for a photo of the original model.
You should also check the materials used to make the phone. Go to the website of the company that made the phone and find the description of the materials. For example, if the manufacturer indicates that the screen is made of glass and your new phone has a plastic screen, you know that it is a fake.
Also, each Android phone features a unique IMEI number. You can find it by dialing the combination * # 06 # or looking under the battery. If the IMEI number shows information for a different model, you will know that it is a copy.
