Hi Guys,
I'm currently in Singapore and found some shops in the Sim Lim Square Computer Center that sell the Galaxy S2 at real rock bottom prices: less than 800 S$ (about US$630).
They come without a warranty card in it and with a Spanish/English User manual and a charger with a US plug, instead of the local Singaporean plug.
There is definitely something shady about these phones but as long as it's only the plug difference and the absence of warranty I wouldn't be concerned as even the official Samsung Singapore warranty wouldn't be valid outside of Singapore (and as I said, I'm just visiting here).
My big doubt started when I saw the sticker inside the phone under the battery that says: Made in China
My current phone, the old Galaxy S is made in Korea!
I'm afraid that these phones might actually be complete fake ones... I've seen that once in the Philippines: they sell fake Nokia phones that look like Nokia and even have the first menu level of the firmware look like Nokia's Symbian and only on level 2 deep everything changes to chinese garbage.
Could anyone help me out with my doubts as soon as possible? I'm here in Singapore only until tomorrow so I have to make a fast decision.
Thanks a lot
I'm Korean. Samsung Electronics is Korean Company. Every flagship samsung mobile phone made in Korea in Gumi city. Samsung mobile factory located Gumi city in Korea. I have galaxy s and galaxy s2 uk unlock version. My phones made in Korea.
There are units made in China too. You just gotta find out if they are original Samsung products
itenos said:
My big doubt started when I saw the sticker inside the phone under the battery that says: Made in China
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Click to collapse
Mine has Made in Korea on the sticker under the battery...
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FFS! Don't go to Sim Lim Square. It's the shadiest tech town in the world. I once bought a 128GB thumb drive there. It was faaaake.
On another occasion, I bought an N8 with no warranty cuz it was going for cheap (and was told it was the last one in stock). It died within a week.
You get what you pay for.
If it's too good to be true, then it's not Beyoncé kneeling before me.
itenos said:
Hi Guys,
I'm currently in Singapore and found some shops in the Sim Lim Square Computer Center that sell the Galaxy S2 at real rock bottom prices: less than 800 S$ (about US$630).
They come without a warranty card in it and with a Spanish/English User manual and a charger with a US plug, instead of the local Singaporean plug.
There is definitely something shady about these phones but as long as it's only the plug difference and the absence of warranty I wouldn't be concerned as even the official Samsung Singapore warranty wouldn't be valid outside of Singapore (and as I said, I'm just visiting here).
My big doubt started when I saw the sticker inside the phone under the battery that says: Made in China
My current phone, the old Galaxy S is made in Korea!
I'm afraid that these phones might actually be complete fake ones... I've seen that once in the Philippines: they sell fake Nokia phones that look like Nokia and even have the first menu level of the firmware look like Nokia's Symbian and only on level 2 deep everything changes to chinese garbage.
Could anyone help me out with my doubts as soon as possible? I'm here in Singapore only until tomorrow so I have to make a fast decision.
Thanks a lot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd avoid buying high-end stuff from Sim Lim if I were you. Which shop are we talking about?
While it's definitely possible that these are original(given the price), these could be refurbished/stolen(although this is less likely in Singpaore).
If $630 is a lot for you, I'd suggest you pick a unit with warranty. If that's not an option, at least shell out a few extra dollars to get it from an authorized retailer.
For the record, my Indian phone says 'Made by Samsung in Korea'.
In India first batch s2 phones were made in Korea whereas the second batch is made in China(which is now in stock)
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My SGS2 says "Made in China". I checked like a dozen other handsets at various reputable retailers (including Samsung's distributors, authorized retailers and repair centres) last week (I was vacationing). All had "Made in China" labels under the battery.
I guess there are at least two factories making these devices.
My Packaging says it is made in Korea. Even the sticker under the battery in the unit says made in Korea. But the battery itself is made in China. LOL.
Oxymoron or Conundrum?
Beautyspin said:
My Packaging says it is made in Korea. Even the sticker under the battery in the unit says made in Korea. But the battery itself is made in China. LOL.
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Click to collapse
Mine is same as yours.Got it from Letsbuy in the 2nd week of June.Actually the battery says"Made in Korea but finished in China".
ROF!LOL!!
I'm from Singapore and purchased my SGS2 from a local teleco last weekend. The battery says Made in Korea finished in China. The sticker underneath says Made by Samsung with no indication of country. The box doesn't state the country either, though there's a sticker that says do not accept if seal is broken. Caution sealed package plus one paragraph of text. A round light orange sticker says No Chinese menu and the quick start guide was printed in China.
While I seldom go to Sim Lim Square, I've read of tuggish salespeople and their tactics to rip off the unsuspecting. But there are some "clean" shops too. If you see quite a number of local customers examining the products and paying, it should be fairly safe. Do the salespeople answer your questions well or are they evasive? Ask if the phone is grey market or parallel import and watch their response. I wouldn't use the work "fake" in case I get "hammered". My ultimate advice is if you feel uncomfortable and don't want to risk getting a fake, you shouldn't get the phone from non-telcos such as M1, Singtel or Starhub.
BTW, the phone is ridiculously popular in Singapore and is sold out in many shops. Just check the Samsung Mobile Singapore page. If you know the shop name and number, you may want to ask on Facebook, telling them you're a tourist, and hopefully someone familiar with the shops there will respond. Wishing you good luck in getting the phone.
Thank you my friends, even though it comforted me that there are apparently legitimate models out in the market that are made in China, I follow your advice and will not buy the phone in Sim Lim. I better wait till I'm back home and spending maybe 50 Euros more, I will have at least some peace of mind.
Thanks a lot again
now here's a puzzle:
- my packaging says nothing about the country of origin.
- underneath the battery it just says made by samsung
- on the battery it says made in korea, finished in china (in english and french) BUT: in spanish it says, it was made and finished in china.
so the only things i can say with certainty is that the battery is finished in china, where it was made varies on what language you speak and the device itself is apparently made in the kingdom of sam sung, must be one of those new countries i've been hearing about.
Mine says made in Korea. I wonder if there is a build quality difference between Chinese and Korean SGS2?
Chef_Tony said:
now here's a puzzle:
- my packaging says nothing about the country of origin.
- underneath the battery it just says made by samsung
- on the battery it says made in korea, finished in china (in english and french) BUT: in spanish it says, it was made and finished in china.
so the only things i can say with certainty is that the battery is finished in china, where it was made varies on what language you speak and the device itself is apparently made in the kingdom of sam sung, must be one of those new countries i've been hearing about.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here, under the battery it says made by samsung.
According to news on Korea at 01/2011, Mobile phone for asian market made in China. So i think differ from region that be selled.
I saw my sgs and other sgs bettery. One made in Korea. Other one made in China finished in Korea. Rest one made In Japan. Region of bettery differ from date of rollout.
Got mine from Singapore as well. Made in korea and everything. What's strange is that my phone was actually destined for chile (ukbd1 rom)
You might wanna try Funan digimall. Thats also where i got mine. Most of the people i talk to say the sellers there are more honest. Although I'm not a local.
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Nothing on phone itself, but battery says made in Korea, finished in China
Mine is from T-Mobile and is Made in China !
Mine is Made by Samsung without stating either country Korea or China. The battery though was Made in Korea/ Finish in China
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Related
You can pop the battery and and check where your phone is made from, with my SGS1 it was Korea by Samsung, now my SGS2 is China by Samsung.
Please take note that you HAVE to remove the battery in order to see the location in where it was wade as the batteries are almost always made in Korea but the actual phone could be somewhere else.
EDIT:
To those who voted others, please leave a comment.
EDIT2:
Phone: Made in China
Batt: Made in Korea finished in China
Purchase: Philippines, Samsung official retailer
Mine is made in Korea by Samsung. Bought it from mumbai, india
my samsung galaxy s2 made in korea
mrushabh said:
Mine is made in Korea by Samsung. Bought it from mumbai, india
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Mine to. Bought from Bucharest, Romania
My SC-02C (japanese market model number) is from Korea.
Its got special hardware (the TV tuner) that's different than the standard international version.
I think op got a knock off china phone lol
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The first mine was made in Korea.
Second is made in China.
Bought it from amazon, made from china. Don't think its a knock off. And if someone else in china other than samsung really made this phone, then I would say good job
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Mine's made in Korea, UK sim-free from Expansys bought towards the end of May.
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Someone took the option "others" but not leaving a comment ~_~
Mine's Korea .. on vodafone uk
Seems like Philippines is THAT close to Korea but we are getting stocks from china.
Mine is Made by Samsung without stating Korea or China. Battery though, Made in Korea/Finish in China
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Mine actually says "Made in Korea by Samsung".
SGS II: Made in Korea by Samsung
Battery: Made in Korea/Finished in China
Mine Says: "Made by Chin-Ho and his father Chun-He. We slaved all day to build this Device and it still has a battery drian. I wouldnt mind but we get paid peanuts (Litrally)to make it as good as the iPhone4®©
I even sliced off the top of my finger while inserting the gorilla glass that might be why there is a RED PIXEL on your screen. Ohh and the bluetooth will crackle on A2DP because i replaced it with my yellow molar's since it was already falling out and it saves samsung creating a fresh chip. Anyway i hope you like it and dont return it because you will be dammed if you think im building a new one for you. Dont sweat it cz were already working on the sgs3 and your phone will only be worth half the price by then 6months later with no support".
Chin-Ho & Chun-He
"Ohhh dont forget to update your phone to the latest CM7 when its developed it will kick ****sungs arse"
Made in Korea by Samsung
NatTheCat said:
Mine Says: "Made by Chin-Ho and his father Chun-He. We slaved all day to build this Device and it still has a battery drian. I wouldnt mind but we get paid peanuts (Litrally)to make it as good as the iPhone4®©
I even sliced off the top of my finger while inserting the gorilla glass that might be why there is a RED PIXEL on your screen. Ohh and the bluetooth will crackle on A2DP because i replaced it with my yellow molar's since it was already falling out and it saves samsung creating a fresh chip. Anyway i hope you like it and dont return it because you will be dammed if you think im building a new one for you. Dont sweat it cz were already working on the sgs3 and your phone will only be worth half the price by then 6months later with no support".
Chin-Ho & Chun-He
"Ohhh dont forget to update your phone to the latest CM7 when its developed it will kick ****sungs arse"
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Click to collapse
u think thats funny ?
My SGS II is made in a galaxy far far away by Heavenly Lords! Umm thats how it feels anyways! korea.
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I think most of the SGS2 roaming around in India is made in Korea ones.
Hey there,
I am currently considering buying a Galaxy S II off eBay here in Australia and i was wondering what I should and shouldn't be looking for.
My main concern is that if I get Hong Kong/International stock then it may have differences (OS or Hardware) to the ones you can buy locally. Is there a way I could check to see where the handsets come from based on a model number or anything? and is anyone using an eBay bought SII to list the differences to local stock?
Thanks in advance,
DarkRyoushii
I bought mine off ebay ages ago, was listed as Australian stock...so if you are worried about overseas models just use the advanced search and choose only located in AU...then if it is not stated in the description just ask the seller if its aussie stock...though in most cases ones from overseas work just fine and I don't believe there are any differences (both local and overseas stock are international versions, besides the I9100T for telstra)
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Thanks, there's a massive price difference between Australian ($700) and Unmentioned ($550) stock though so if possible I'd just love to make sure it won't turn up in some unheard of language with no way to change it, the wrong bands, restrictions (I know NTT Docomo limit text messages to 160 characters) on the OS or something like that.
so the I9100 stock is all the same with no variations? I thought there were different letters at the end to signify which region they were made for..
Thanks again,
DarkRyoushii
hmm well I got mine for $600...I'm pretty certain they are the international version...as long as it states I9100 and nothing else, it should be fine...also some sellers (eBay shops usually), provide 1 year warranties as well..
EDIT: there is an Australian stock on eBay now for 600 + 15 postage...if you're really that worried I'd recommend you just save yourself the worrying... I'm sure you could message the seller and negotiate for free shipping or something...
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That's true Thanks for your help! +1 Thanks to you!
Your biggest concern with ebay is getting scammed, rather than getting a weirdo off-spec unit. As others say make sure it says I9100, and specs make sense (eg. 1.2 dual exynos, 4.3" screen, etc.) If you ended up with a qualcomm unit by accident (and wanted exynos...or vice versa) and your seller is legit they would have to accept return for product not as advertised.
Does anyone have a Galaxy S III with just a plain box? My other I9300's had writing on the back with specs and the imei and stuff. This box has nothing on it, its from Hong Kong. The phone is working as an I9300 should and is running the new jellybean leak. Any ideas? or info? Or is this how they are sold out there?
Attached are pics of the plain white box and a pic of the french 32gb one i had.
This is the actual phone http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1852761
Original and new GS3 doesn't comes with leaks Jellybean. I think yours is second-hand phone.
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I know they dont come with the leak, its rooted running the leaked ROM. Im just wondering about the blank box.
No idea. What's system info say you have? What's the previous owners response?
Obviously that box missed out on printing or it is fake.. No NFC, would be a good indicator. Should have posted phone pics, front and back with phone cover off.
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I dont have the phone, this is the phone i was going to trade my ATT S3 for. I am going to ask about what you said.
there are tonnes of fake S3 out there on sale now.
updated the op with the actual phone
the pictures in the link seems legitimate for the int' S3. if that is the box he shows you, you could probably say it's an AP set (original samsung sets that was bought from another source (country) other than the official distributor in that country, for a lower price). AP sets may be packaged in duplicated box or box from another s3 (IMEI of sticker may not match IMEI of the phone). "Risks" of AP sets = original parts swapped with fake battery/ fake accessories. Samsung stores in your country most likely won't allow RMA for AP sets. Wholesalers in my country actually sells duplicated box (from china) for phones like these.
These are just precautions, best you ask the seller. People in Asian countries, esp places like south east asia buys AP sets because they are cheaper than the usual RRP
Big thanks for the information
MXR2 said:
there are tonnes of fake S3 out there on sale now.
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Click to collapse
Just get to know about this thread. I found that the box is not the original but from a TMobile but the phone itself is i9300 - at least that's what I think as I have applied various i9300 ROMs. I bought it from a colleague who brought it from Hongkong.
Is there any way to check out if it's a fake??
My Galaxy 10.1 tab has suffered from the 'newton ring' screen defect for a while now (see http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1130230 if you don't have long memories) but it wasn't too bad so I never got around to getting it fixed. Anyway, I had to take my phone into a Samsung service centre recently so I thought I'd get the tab done at the same time.
It's still within 2 years from purchase, but was bought in the USA so I was kinda expecting the warranty question to get raised. Nope, they took it fine, HOWEVER they now say that they can't repair it at all as they can't get the appropriate parts because the USA and UK models have different screens and they can't put a UK part into a US model. After a bit of further questioning they also said "and the software is different too", which is quite true but completely irrelevant to a pure hardware defect (and a known one at that).
Before I go and pick it up, could one of the experts here tell me if the physical screen and/or digitiser are any different between the original USA Galaxy TAB 10.1 (Wi-Fi only) and the original UK variant? I thought they were all made with the same generic parts in the same factories? Any part numbers or reference sources would be very helpful too. Thanks!
Andre
I have a UK tablet and i've never heard about different components lol.. I don't think there's a difference between the tabs, it's not that we have a different ROM that we also have different components, i came from android 2.3 UK and running cm10.1 now with a US bootloader on a UK device, problems, samsung?
Anyway,, i never suffered from those newton rings, i remember the link you posted, but i will not laugh too loud my tab is 1 year and 1 month old now
Thanks, that's very much my opinion too from everything I've ever read about this defect, the screen and digitiser are common components between the US and UK models.
If anyone can give me any more info or hard facts (e.g. do Samsung USA and Samsung UK have a spare parts website where I can compare part numbers?) that would help before I go back into the service centre around noon today. Thanks!
Andre
In Bangladesh, Galaxy S23 series is yet to be released for customer; don’t know in which country it is released. However, the phones are available in open/grey market (made in Vietnam). I’m confused how the phone is available? Is there any chance that the phones are defective and hence they are selling in comparatively low price.
I ordered mine last week.
Was supposed to come on feb 17th but I've got it on Friday.
Already selling it in some stores in Germany
i got mine 2 days after official presentation on 3th of february, it was available in mobile operators stores. Also see that other peoples get there devices too on early stages, but now almost every time they are out of stock. Probably on the beginning they are already manufactured some quantity of devices foreach markets that are completely original (made in Vietnam) i also check IMEIs and firmware versions, all looks legit. And don't forget the fact that they come with a full warranty as any other brand new device, so if there are some defects/problems it can be just replaced.
smurf4eto said:
i got mine 2 days after official presentation on 3th of february, it was available in mobile operators stores. Also see that other peoples get there devices too on early stages, but now almost every time they are out of stock. Probably on the beginning they are already manufactured some quantity of devices foreach markets that are completely original (made in Vietnam) i also check IMEIs and firmware versions, all looks legit. And don't forget the fact that they come with a full warranty as any other brand new device, so if there are some defects/problems it can be just replaced.
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How to check the S23 ultra is legitimate phone?
sameee781 said:
How to check the S23 ultra is legitimate phone?
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Click to collapse
by IMEI check and also model code / firmware code. But for to be ensure just buy it from some certificated shop or distributor..
In countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan, grey market one is real deal as they are imported from countries where it is cheaper to get and import. However, claiming warranty for defective item is difficult.
Moreover, IMEI checks are other genuine things should be checked to ensure its a legitimate phone.
One issue you can have is that some of the grey market people have access to tools that will allow them to pretty much put anything they want in the system files. They can change the model names, numbers, IMEI and all that. The nice thing is, the IMEI is going to be the one true way to tell if it's legit. If they steal IMEI's and put them on multiple devices, it will get blacklisted pretty quick.
So is this story about false S23U from Vietnam true? Or not?
Phones are made in Vietnam for quite a number of years now (have a S7Edge made there) so the manufacturing country is not an indication of the phone being a "fake".
Bought mine from Samsung (pre-order) and is made in Vietnam.