How to keep from getting a fake Samsung Galaxy! With the increasing popularity of Samsung devices, it’s no wonder there are clones.  These phone seem to be a Samsung device but if you know what to look for, then you can spot the fake.  These cloned Samsung devices have become increasingly hard to spot.  These devices are increasing adding original features. So, you wondering how to spot the clone and avoid paying what is a lot of money and seemingly a good deal? Recently, we have had several individuals enter into the store with imitation Galaxy SIII and Galaxy SV.  Both were brought into our store due to small issues and as we inspected these devices- our techs spotted the fake phones and we had to break the news to the customer. What did we see in the phones to tell they were not real?  First, examine the back.  The back of the clone has the “Samsung” name only.  The real Samsung has “galaxy S(III, IV or V) and usually the carrier name (AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, and U.S. Cellular).  Also, the LED light on the real Samsung is white while the fake LED light is yellow. Also, boot up the phone and look at programs that are on the phone.  The clones usually have apps that are not standard to the real Galaxy phones.  Some of the layout of apps as well as general look of the android system is different.  If you do not know what to look for, check YouTube for videos to help you determine what the phone should look like booting up and the way it’s laid out in the system. [pl_video type="youtube" id="tYTqeILPNug"] for the SV [pl_video type="youtube" id="rpU4CqyNvrs"] for the SIV [pl_video type="youtube" id="HbYz5ywYNYI"] for S2, 3, and 4.)   While the phone is on, the resolution of the fake is not as good as the original.  The images taken by the fake Samsung is dull and lackluster compared to the original. Another way is to open up the back and examine the back.  The screws are different, sometimes the battery, SIM and SD card layout is different.   The Samsung original battery contains a serial number and “production numbers” while the clone batteries do not. The USA is not the only country flooded with fake devices.  International Business Times reported that Germany seized over 250 fake Samsung S4 phones that had shipped from Hong Kong.  http://tiny.cc/a2yfmx I am not saying that buying Chinese “clones” is a terrible idea- if you know it is a clone, they may make decent phones (you will get what you paid for).  If the person selling the phone is selling you a fake Galaxy S device- then buyer beware.  There are several “Android” devices that copy the Samsung theme which work well but on thing to consider is, what it will take to fix that device.  It is hard to get access to the parts and most times, the great deal phone- cannot be fixed.  Sticking to the original will save time and money in the long run. http://tiny.cc/22yfmx http://tiny.cc/s3yfmx