Spotting a fake phone in Nigeria can be tricky, especially since counterfeiters have become very good at mimicking original devices.
Here are several reliable methods to help you identify a fake phone.
- Check the IMEI Number
How to check:
*Dial *#06# to view the IMEI number.
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*Compare it with the number on the phone box and under the battery (if removable).
*Enter the IMEI on https://www.imei.info to verify the brand, model, and specs.
Warning Sign:
*If the IMEI number doesn’t match or cannot be verified, it’s likely fake.
- Inspect the Packaging
Original phones come in neat, branded, and sealed boxes with:
*High-quality printing
*Manufacturer details
*Proper accessories (charger, cable, manual)
*Fake phones often have:
*Poor-quality packaging
*Generic or suspicious branding
*Missing or low-quality accessories
- Examine the Build Quality
Look out for:
*Loose buttons
*Poor screen resolution
*Unusual logos or misspelled brand names (e.g., “Samsang” instead of “Samsung”)
*Unusual weight or size
- Verify the Software & UI
Original phones run authentic operating systems:
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*Android or iOS with proper updates
*No strange pop-ups or random apps
Fake phones may:
*Run skinned versions of Android made to look like iOS
*Have weird settings, icons, or menus
*Lag excessively or crash often
- Use Phone Verification Apps
Use apps like:
*CPU-Z
*DevCheck
*AIDA64
These apps help you check the real hardware specs. If the phone is advertised as 8GB RAM, but the app shows 2GB RAM, it’s likely fake.
- Buy from Reputable Sources
Avoid:
*Open market sellers without a physical store
*Extremely low-priced offers that are too good to be true
Prefer:
*Authorized dealer shops (e.g., Slot, Jumia Official Store, 3CHub)
*Phones with warranty and receipts
- Battery Life and Performance
Fake phones usually:
*Overheat quickly
*Drain battery fast
*Take long to charge or fail frequently
- Check the Price
If a supposed iPhone 13 is selling for ₦150,000 or a Galaxy S22 is going for ₦100,000 — run! It’s almost certainly fake or refurbished poorly.
