On the Internet, it is possible to find Samsung devices at lower prices than those recommended or those offered by official stores. These devices could be refurbished or used. However, this raises an important question: how do you determine if a Samsung is authentic, an imitation, or if it has been stolen, found, or assembled with components from other stolen or non-genuine devices?
When you are going to buy a second-hand Samsung, ask the seller for the serial number and IMEI code. This data is essential to verify the authenticity of the device and know if it has been reported stolen or lost. Carrying out this verification is essential to avoid purchasing an illegal product or one that has legal problems.
In addition to requesting the IMEI identifier and serial number, ask for a photo of the back of the device, where the serial number and IMEI code should be printed.
To find out if a Samsung phone is authentic or a counterfeit before purchasing it, you can follow these steps:
Visual verification: Examine the quality of the material and finish of the phone. Genuine Samsung phones have high-quality materials and perfect assembly. Pay attention to details such as the logo, button alignment, and screen quality.
Box and accessories: Look at the box and included accessories. Original Samsung products come in high-quality packaging with official accessories such as charger, USB cable and headphones. Look at the quality of these items and look for inconsistencies or errors in the packaging.
Software specifications and features: Check the technical specifications of the phone and compare them with the official information provided by Samsung. Counterfeit phones often have inferior specifications. Also, navigate the operating system: a genuine Samsung phone should have a Samsung user interface and access to services like Samsung Apps and Samsung Health.
Model number and serial number: Find the model number and serial number in the phone settings and verify their authenticity on the Samsung website. This can help you confirm whether the device is registered as a genuine Samsung product.
The serial number must be printed on the back of the Samsung phone, tablet or watch.
The Model Number must begin with SM- or GT- for phones and tablets, for watches it must begin with SM-R.
The Serial Number is made up of letters and numbers, always starting with the letter R.
Open the phone app and dial: *#06# (No need to insert the SIM card) and you will see the IMEI code.
Screen and camera quality: Genuine Samsung phones usually have high-quality screens and cameras. Check the clarity and resolution of the screen, as well as the quality of photos and videos. Inferior quality may be indicative of a counterfeit.
Price: Be wary of offers that seem too good to be true. A price significantly lower than the market price can be a sign that the phone is a counterfeit.
Point of sale: Always buy from trusted stores or authorized distributors. Unofficial sellers or unreputable online stores may sell counterfeit phones.
Hardware operation: Test functions such as Wi-Fi connection, Bluetooth, GPS and sensors. Counterfeit devices may have problems with these functions.
Consult the Android secret codes to perform these tests, through these codes you will be able to check if the hardware corresponds to the characteristics of the original.
If in doubt, consider taking your phone to a Samsung service center for a professional check before purchasing.
