[Q] Spotting a fake S4? - Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4

Hi New on here. Just ordered a 32 gb 8 core (octa core?) version of the S4 online and it includes extra battery, 32 micro sim, leather case, apparently to be delivered in original packing. How do I check if its original? I see some online videos on back covers (samsung logo, missing Galaxy S4 on bottom) but that back cover is removable. Samsung apps? Or is it just a gamble to buy from unknown sources cause inner parts could be replaced off original phones?

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What site did you get it from? You could always check reviews for the site itself to see if people have been burned before. What did you pay for it? If it seems like too good a deal to be true that could be a big red flag because it probably is too good to be true.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda premium

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chrisjm00 said:
What site did you get it from? You could always check reviews for the site itself to see if people have been burned before. What did you pay for it? If it seems like too good a deal to be true that could be a big red flag because it probably is too good to be true.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Taobao (China's ebay) and the seller sold 400+ within the last month with great reviews. Paid totally $350 usd (2200 rmb) and thats a steal considering the price here is over twice that amount amd they all selling 16 gb 4 core S4's. well, still didnt pay cause its pay on delivery but I expect it anytime soon.
So essentially my deal is I have 7 days for a no hassle return. I'm shocked thats there's talk of fake S4 so soon into the release of this phone amd this just goes to show how efficient the copycats are.
I still havent seen the phone but I'm assuming its hard to tell the difference just from outside looks. Even the video on youtube ... The display in the fake looks just as amazing and the screen apps look the same 100% as the original. There's got to be a way that android would have some authentication to state that this is indeed an S4?
Maybe I'm being paranoid but what if internal components have been replaced (they fetch higher profit margins)....any diagnostic software you download amd run? Like a benchmark test....obviously a fake cant compete with benchmark scores.....

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Bhel said:
Taobao (China's ebay) and the seller sold 400+ within the last month with great reviews. Paid totally $350 usd (2200 rmb) and thats a steal considering the price here is over twice that amount amd they all selling 16 gb 4 core S4's. well, still didnt pay cause its pay on delivery but I expect it anytime soon.
So essentially my deal is I have 7 days for a no hassle return. I'm shocked thats there's talk of fake S4 so soon into the release of this phone amd this just goes to show how efficient the copycats are.
I still havent seen the phone but I'm assuming its hard to tell the difference just from outside looks. Even the video on youtube ... The display in the fake looks just as amazing and the screen apps look the same 100% as the original. There's got to be a way that android would have some authentication to state that this is indeed an S4?
Maybe I'm being paranoid but what if internal components have been replaced (they fetch higher profit margins)....any diagnostic software you download amd run? Like a benchmark test....obviously a fake cant compete with benchmark scores.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dude, yes dude, you paid half retail of the hottest phone on the market. You DEFINITELY bought a fake. There is no way in HADES that someone could sell a 32gb Octa-core S4 for $325 and make a profit. I would return it asap or better yet, just deny delivery (if that works where you are)

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It's a Chinese replica. Type in galaxy 4 replica in youtube
Sent from my Galaxy S4.

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Just received it and its a FAKE! The Samsung logo in the back is 'rough' and there's no 'Galaxy S4' logo on the bottom of back cover. Shipped with two batteries and turning it on had no welcome screen and the apps had no samsung apps. Disappointed yet amazed at the build quality.

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Well is it usable? I mean functional lol
Sent from my Galaxy S4.

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Its functional for sure
Yep! This fake phone is functional running 4.2.2 android. Apparently its should total space as exactly 16 gb. Shouldnt this be slightly lesser since the OS would need some space? All in all very wierd but functional. I've not played around much cause I want to return this and hopefully get me an original.

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Are you sure they will let you return it?
Sent from my Galaxy S4.

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Fake S4
HI, I unknowingly bought a fake too, here's a lsit of things to check;
Plastic screen
Not Amoled
Not HD (Have compared the screen to my s2 using video)
Screen is the same size as the s3
Borders around the screen are thicker
The button at the front middle is lw- it should be exactly halfway between the screens edge and the bottom of the phone.
Benchmarks around half the score of the real s4- although this can be faked (the 3d results were good- but 3d games dont seem to load)
The earpice speaker isn't a good fit for the slot in the phone, and is squint
The word samsung on the back is proud of the case, and a different font
The s4 markings are not on the bottom of the case, and samsung isnt printed below the earpiece.
THe batteries are very slim, and dont fit the real s4
the box says octa core- but the phone is the i9500
The metallic border is a different colour from the original
The phone has 2gig internal memory-- the free sd card is to trick you into thinking it is a bigger capacity, I assume the original phone has 16gig internal plus expandable slot.
The OS seems laggy, and is buggy
The settings are incomplete for the s4, only basic settings included.
Also my understanding of it is that the phone cant be rooted or modded- it will already have a modded chinese bootloader which would be hard to change, and none of the usual s4 roms would work (forgive my noob use of technical terms).
I bought mine from MANCEBA1998 (Gloria Mfwenbundo, 102 DULVERTON aVE, NG86EA) on ebay, as a real phone, i was stupid/ whatever. I got in touch with ebay and started a claim, she responded, saying she thought the phone was real as far as she is concerned, then ignored my emails for 2 days- I checked her other listings- and found a second s4 for sale, I could tell from the picture it was fake- so I told ebay and had the listing removed. She responded within a few hours with offers of a refund if I pay to send the phone back... I told her to get stuffed, send me my money- if she sends me postage she will get this fake phone back or i'll report her to her local trading standards...
Will see what happens- the point is, ebay have a case system where you can deal with refunds for not as described goods, and they frown on fake stuff. If the phone was listed as real then you will get your money back, but do so ASAP

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verdomde said:
HI, I unknowingly bought a fake too, here's a lsit of things to check;
Plastic screen
Not Amoled
Not HD (Have compared the screen to my s2 using video)
Screen is the same size as the s3
Borders around the screen are thicker
The button at the front middle is lw- it should be exactly halfway between the screens edge and the bottom of the phone.
Benchmarks around half the score of the real s4- although this can be faked (the 3d results were good- but 3d games dont seem to load)
The earpice speaker isn't a good fit for the slot in the phone, and is squint
The word samsung on the back is proud of the case, and a different font
The s4 markings are not on the bottom of the case, and samsung isnt printed below the earpiece.
THe batteries are very slim, and dont fit the real s4
the box says octa core- but the phone is the i9500
The metallic border is a different colour from the original
The phone has 2gig internal memory-- the free sd card is to trick you into thinking it is a bigger capacity, I assume the original phone has 16gig internal plus expandable slot.
The OS seems laggy, and is buggy
The settings are incomplete for the s4, only basic settings included.
Also my understanding of it is that the phone cant be rooted or modded- it will already have a modded chinese bootloader which would be hard to change, and none of the usual s4 roms would work (forgive my noob use of technical terms).
I bought mine from MANCEBA1998 (Gloria Mfwenbundo, 102 DULVERTON aVE, NG86EA) on ebay, as a real phone, i was stupid/ whatever. I got in touch with ebay and started a claim, she responded, saying she thought the phone was real as far as she is concerned, then ignored my emails for 2 days- I checked her other listings- and found a second s4 for sale, I could tell from the picture it was fake- so I told ebay and had the listing removed. She responded within a few hours with offers of a refund if I pay to send the phone back... I told her to get stuffed, send me my money- if she sends me postage she will get this fake phone back or i'll report her to her local trading standards...
Will see what happens- the point is, ebay have a case system where you can deal with refunds for not as described goods, and they frown on fake stuff. If the phone was listed as real then you will get your money back, but do so ASAP
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ebay buyer protection should give you a return shipping label if you open a case.

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Resolution
I know it's an old post, but I want to start a thread, so I thought I might as well post here as anywhere else.
It all went according to plan, ebay sent a label to return, so I got my refund, then sent the dodgy phone back. Case closed. Cheers