fake galaxy s9+ - Samsung Galaxy S9+ Questions & Answers

OK, so my wife recently bought an unlocked Samsung Galaxy S9+ from an individual on facebook for $400. At first I thought man that's cheap. Then I actually got hold of it. First I notice the OS is old and ninth ng like my s8+. Dual sim, lot of options and settings missing. Plug it into my laptop and it says that the portable device only has 5.38g memory. But the phone actually has 128g and in the USB options itbalso has an option for built in cd-rom.. Anyway its a fake. How do I go back and put the real s9+ software/firmware on it?

The first way to notice if your galaxy s9 is fake is open the camera app and then pro mode and switch between the f/1.5 and the 2.4 and see if it actually does something. In case that your were ripped off, i'm sorry to tell you, you can't put the original/real software on it

djr5128 said:
OK, so my wife recently bought an unlocked Samsung Galaxy S9+ from an individual on facebook for $400. At first I thought man that's cheap. Then I actually got hold of it. First I notice the OS is old and ninth ng like my s8+. Dual sim, lot of options and settings missing. Plug it into my laptop and it says that the portable device only has 5.38g memory. But the phone actually has 128g and in the USB options itbalso has an option for built in cd-rom.. Anyway its a fake. How do I go back and put the real s9+ software/firmware on it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't, Samsung firmware would brick your device. Better try to get your money back or contact the police for what you can do.

gee2012 said:
You can't, Samsung firmware would brick your device. Better try to get your money back or contact the police for what you can do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply. That was a lot quicker than I expected to see a response. Anyway..Well d#*! it. Most everything on it is just like the galaxy but it has old android version. What about upgrading it to the 8.0 Oreo at least. I've tried contacting the individual but since the first message we sent regarding it the person either blocked us or deactivated the account. So....... Hit a brick wall there.

Why would you buy a s9+ for 400 in the first place?

you cannot upgrade to oreo because you don't know what is the correct firmware for you device.. since it's a fake it probably won't have any customer support or future updates

djr5128 said:
Thanks for the reply. That was a lot quicker than I expected to see a response. Anyway..Well d#*! it. Most everything on it is just like the galaxy but it has old android version. What about upgrading it to the 8.0 Oreo at least. I've tried contacting the individual but since the first message we sent regarding it the person either blocked us or deactivated the account. So....... Hit a brick wall there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What you bought is NOT a Samsung device, its probably a Chinese clone with inferior hard- and software. If you we`re even able to flash firmware with Odin which i doubt you`re device would be nothing more then a 400 USD paper weight. Better file a complaint with the police if the buyer on FB sold the device as a genuine Samsung S9+, because this is fraud and a lie.
Can you post a screenshot of /settings/ Telephone info/software data. Or get AIDA64 from the playstore for the phone info.

s0nixx said:
Why would you buy a s9+ for 400 in the first place?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I didn't my wife did. and because last year when the s8 came out I had pre-ordered my s8+ from Samsung. the about a month after the release found a listing on facebook for a (Straight Talk) s8+ for $400. was fully legit still in the box. but she got duped this time.

crossdeath said:
you cannot upgrade to oreo because you don't know what is the correct firmware for you device.. since it's a fake it probably won't have any customer support or future updates
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply. Ive never rooted or done any modding other than unlocking my gs8+. So I figured it was worth a shot to ask. When its plugged into the computer and you click properties it says its a Samsung SM-G9600.

djr5128 said:
Thanks for the reply. Ive never rooted or done any modding other than unlocking my gs8+. So I figured it was worth a shot to ask. When its plugged into the computer and you click properties it says its a Samsung SM-G9600.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Install AIDA64 from the PlayStore for device info and look for /system/modelnumber. You can insert any model number specification in the build.prop, that doen`t make it true though.

gee2012 said:
What you bought is NOT a Samsung device, its probably a Chinese clone with inferior hard- and software. If you we`re even able to flash firmware with Odin which i doubt you`re device would be nothing more then a 400 USD paper weight. Better file a complaint with the police if the buyer on FB sold the device as a genuine Samsung S9+, because this is fraud and a lie.
Can you post a screenshot of /settings/ Telephone info/software data. Or get AIDA64 from the playstore for the phone info.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I've figured out they it's not true Samsung. I would post screenshots or pics but can't figure out how. I see an image icon but when i hit it. It asks for image url instead of letting me select them.

i just wonder why you keep trying installing new firmware on a device you know for sure is 100% fake and obviously not an s9+ (not even samsung i bet). can I ask what you're up to? i would personally track that bastard down and beat him like Negan did to Glenn.

gee2012 said:
What you bought is NOT a Samsung device, its probably a Chinese clone with inferior hardle to flash firmware with Odin which i doubt you`re device would be nothing more then a 400 USD paper weight. Better file a complaint with the police if the buyer on FB sold the device as a genuine Samsung S9+, because this is fraud and a lie.
Can you post a screenshot of /settings/ Telephone info/software data. Or get AIDA64 from the playstore for the phone info.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ii'm posting pics. They swore and promised that it was true galaxy S9+. But I knew something wasn't right within about 10 seconds of seeing it myself. Which was later that evening when she got it that morning. . When i noticed iti tried to geton and send them a message and they had already deactivated the account. So she just got stuck with it. Even though it's s fake it does haves lot of the features and features of a s9 so just trying to see if there's s way to at least changer it to a newer android version.. download the aida64

boydzethuong said:
i just wonder why you keep trying installing new firmware on a device you know for sure is 100% fake and obviously not an s9+ (not even samsung i bet). can I ask what you're up to? i would personally track that bastard down and beat him like Negan did to Glenn.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it's fake but despite the fact that it is she gott stuck with it. And she still likes it(not $400 woth of liking) and it does have a lot of the features and all of the s9 so just trying to make the best of it and update it to a better OS.

djr5128 said:
Yes it's fake but despite the fact that it is she gott stuck with it. And she still likes it(not $400 woth of liking) and it does have a lot of the features and all of the s9 so just trying to make the best of it and update it to a better OS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This phone has a MediaTek CPU and it has absolutely no similarity`s to a Samsung phone, it will be very hard (probably impossible) to find a rom that will go with that. I`d sell it for a few bucks to get rid of it and get a proper one. Try Swappa for instance for finding a descent phone.

djr5128 said:
Ii'm posting pics. They swore and promised that it was true galaxy S9+. But I knew something wasn't right within about 10 seconds of seeing it myself. Which was later that evening when she got it that morning. . When i noticed iti tried to geton and send them a message and they had already deactivated the account. So she just got stuck with it. Even though it's s fake it does haves lot of the features and features of a s9 so just trying to see if there's s way to at least changer it to a newer android version.. download the aida64
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dman those bigass bezels..

djr5128 said:
Yes it's fake but despite the fact that it is she gott stuck with it. And she still likes it(not $400 woth of liking) and it does have a lot of the features and all of the s9 so just trying to make the best of it and update it to a better OS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After seeing your pics I gotta say wow those bastards they did such a great work. Non-tech people will easily got trapped.
Unfortunately I dont think you can find any matching firmware for this fake model. Maybe you can have a look with custom OS instead e.g. lineage os or cyanogenmod. not sure they have something for this device and you may have a chance to turn your device into a $400 paper weight too.

LOL this is hilarious. Who randomly buys a phone on Facebook? I don't even use Facebook, but I definitely wouldn't just buy a phone from there.

It's a fake.You cannot flash official Sam firmware in it. It would brick.

djr5128 said:
OK, so my wife recently bought an unlocked Samsung Galaxy S9+ from an individual on facebook for $400. At first I thought man that's cheap. Then I actually got hold of it. First I notice the OS is old and ninth ng like my s8+. Dual sim, lot of options and settings missing. Plug it into my laptop and it says that the portable device only has 5.38g memory. But the phone actually has 128g and in the USB options itbalso has an option for built in cd-rom.. Anyway its a fake. How do I go back and put the real s9+ software/firmware on it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, as others have stated... You cant do much with it. I am sure the real mfg will not be putting out firmware updates.
You can tell your wife to use it as is, which I would NOT do. The reason being, you dont know what kinda of spyware is loaded on that thing. I would factory reset it, sell it on ebay for what it is, an s9+ clone and try to recovery the loss. I think that phone should be worth $200 on ebay

Related

I have a 32GB SGS2!!!

Just purchased today in Taiwan.
GT-I9100
2.3.3
I9100XXKG1
2.6.35.7 I9100ZSKG2-CL361136
GINGERBREAD.ZSKG2
I wonder, does anyone want me to upload this ROM soon before I do too much to it, as it may vary from the 16GB model? How can I, here in Taiwan, be the first in the world to get this device???!??!
Maybe! Congrats anyway.
Sent from GT-I9100
Congrats on the epeen, i doubt your the first one to have it though
Lies!!!
i thought there wasnt a release date on a 32gig version yet? even the white one i saw was going to be a 16gig version?
you should they just havent buddled a sd card
Yes, I'm positive it isn't just an SD.
downwiththebanksters said:
Yes, I'm positive it isn't just an SD.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why don't you post some screenshots so we can see with our own curious eyes ?
What are U talking about
Man,,, who are you kidding?!!!,,,
the SGSII 32GB version is discontinued by SAMSUNG (Some say because of its high price)..
Anyway I think it's just a 16GB version with a 16GB or 32GB SDHC card...
Please Mr. downwiththebanksters stick a 32GB SD card into it and show the total 64GB capacity of your phone either through some pictures or video clips so that we can silence all these windbags once and for all...
The ?!?!?!?!?!!!!?four!?!??! at the end of your 1st posts gives me doubts. You not showing any pictures makes me doubt even more. Which are easy to edit anyways.
why was my post deleted all i asked was what the OP paid for this
Keen to see some stats ???
Screenshots can be manipulated by most infants, so photographs are actually more important.
Screenshots and photographs or it didn't happen.
downwiththebanksters said:
Just purchased today in Taiwan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
...and then you woke up ! lol
I'm often astounded at the vitriol that is slung around here sometimes. To quote Linus Van Pelt (the only one who I actually KNOW, and am willing to acknowledge, said these words), "I bring you tidings of great joy." and you slag me? We're all in this together people. The Palm community would have never gotten so vicious as this thread. People calling me a liar...honestly. I do thank those who had the grace to defend me.
I think those thugs should take a look at my sig. I had smartphones while they were in regular phones. I had one of the first of the first 10,000 run of BB 850's (google it). That was in the last century kiddies!
I took a long time dealing with Taiwanese people to get this and then was late for work, so had no time to upload pics. Will try to do it now. Some of us have lives.
It was "Made in china by Samsung"
I want to see if someone asks me for/ needs this potentially unique ROM. I haven't attempted root, but have read the howto thread once, so I can't go to system/etc/asound.conf yet. I can't browse there in Win7, but might jam it into my Linuxbox when my son wakes tomorrow as what DAC it is a burning question for me too! I would also like to find out if it's Eynos/Mali. Where could I find that short of a teardown? The telco said it is Exynos/Mali.
It cost me $NT22490 cash today, which included the next 11 months free service (NT$1049/mo) of the 2yr contract(unlimited 3G/HSPDA, 400 sms, 30mins voice).
I bought the 32 because I didn't want to spend the extra NT$2000 to get a good 32SD, so sorry that pic won't be coming for a while, by then noone'll give a bienbien.
The ?!?!?!?!?!!!!?four!?!??! is the exact same emotion YOU are having, except I'm lucky enough to have it in my hands. Yes I'm shocked that Taiwan got it first. As for whether I photoshopped this....do you really think I would waste my time to get the goat of what are seemingly graceless individuals?
If your firmware is ZSKG2, it might be the same as the firmware for the 16 GB SII. Check Intratech's thread in original android development about official roms. Did Kies prompt you for any firmware update ?
Firmware info
PDA:ZSKG2
PHONE: XXKG1
Date: 08/07/2011
Sp1tfire said:
If your firmware is ZSKG2, it might be the same as the firmware for the 16 GB SII. Check Intratech's thread in original android development about official roms. Did Kies prompt you for any firmware update ?
Firmware info
PDA:ZSKG2
PHONE: XXKG1
Date: 08/07/2011
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I went to settings>software update. I was forced to give Sammy my email and birthdate, and then it checked for an update and said "No update available." Sorry, dunno if that is KIES or not. If not please tell me specifically what to do.
Samsung does not provide OTA updates yet. So updating your firmware can be done through Kies , an app that you must install in your pc, it's free to download from Samsung official site. With this app you can sync your phone with your pc through usb cable.
Sp1tfire said:
Samsung does not provide OTA updates yet. So updating your firmware can be done through Kies , an app that you must install in your pc, it's free to download from Samsung official site. With this app you can sync your phone with your pc through usb cable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very nice thank you! I had a funny feeling KIES air wasn't KIES. Should I bother with it or should I do ODIN instead? I think I'm going to go custom eventually, but definitely want to preserve this stock config in case things go pear shaped. Will having installed KIES hurt me when I go down the custom ROM road?
downwiththebanksters said:
Very nice thank you! I had a funny feeling KIES air wasn't KIES. Should I bother with it or should I do ODIN instead? I think I'm going to go custom eventually, but definitely want to preserve this stock config in case things go pear shaped. Will having installed KIES hurt me when I go down the custom ROM road?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
IS there any valid reason of why you refuse to post photographs of your phone showing internal memory 32gb?
TheWarKeeper said:
IS there any valid reason of why you refuse to post photographs of your phone showing internal memory 32gb?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there any reason you didn't see post 14 in this thread?

[Q] Iphone 4 ≠ Galaxy S2

Wonder if anyone could help me as I have been thrown a little out of my depth. The story goes .....
Been using Iphone since 1st Gen, skipped the inbetween and then around 6 months ago went for the iphone 4. Just yesterday after watching some of the stuff on siri I was itching to go for the 4S, although it really felt this time against my better judgement. I knew I shouldnt be spending £500 just for a voice assistant, but I was impressed and was only inches from making the purchase.
However something stopped me and for some reason I just kept going back to the other phone I had heard something about, the Galaxy S2. I really didnt know ANYTHING about this phone, but decided to see what it was all about. It only took me a couple of hours to find out that on the surface this seems a far more impressive phone than the 4s.
It already has some voice recognition software, although it doesnt look like its quite up to siri standards, but the fact that you can plug in usb memory sticks, hook it up to the tv with little to no effort, the fantastic screen etc, it seemed too good to be true.
What has happened during all this research however is that I have picked up some information Im not quite sure of the answers to, which is where someone can maybe help me out.
I9100 vs I9100G ? Im going to be purchasing this in the UK probably on the three network. Is there ANY " G " stock in the UK as I would definately prefer the I9100. How can I be sure I get a 9100?
I read something about yellowing on the screen. Is this an issue with certain models or versions that I should be aware of and to try and avoid?
As with anything such as items like the PS3, PSP, is there any later revision I need to avoid during my purchase that cant be rooted or hacked as the other earlier models can?
I bought my iphone factory unlocked but with this I think I am going to take out a network contract, however are these phones easy to unlock unlike the later iphone models and again are there any later revisions where unlocking has become difficult or impossible?
Basically I am just after some friendly advice for someone who has not made the purchase yet. I just dont want to come back on here and someone say " Oh no, you didnt pick up the SGH-2013232-PPZ revision did you????? Your screwed!"
I have never, ever used an andriod phone before, so am completely new, but after clearing the apple mist, It just seems that in particular the SGS2 is definately pulling me away from continuing with my apple related destiny.
Any help would be very much appreciated.
P.S I did have an old username on here but for the life of me cant remember what it was. It dates back to when I used to come on here regarding my XDA Mini S device.
Make sure it is the GT-I9100. This phone is great. Had no problems so far. It's as good as iPhone 4s and alot.cheaper! IPhone is heavily overpriced.
Be prepared that it is not the same as an iPhone. Some thinks might be harder to configure. My gf has an iPhone and now wishes she had bought mine because Android can do so much more than ios and because my phone is cheaper while it can do the same
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
pewdle said:
I9100 vs I9100G ? Im going to be purchasing this in the UK probably on the three network. Is there ANY " G " stock in the UK as I would definately prefer the I9100. How can I be sure I get a 9100?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AFAIK, in Europe you'll be fine. The i9100G is only sold in a couple of markets, such as India.
I read something about yellowing on the screen. Is this an issue with certain models or versions that I should be aware of and to try and avoid?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
New phones are fine. I believe that issue happened only on the first models.
As with anything such as items like the PS3, PSP, is there any later revision I need to avoid during my purchase that cant be rooted or hacked as the other earlier models can?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as you get a i9100, you'll be fine. You can root every single firmware released, keep root through firmware updates, revert bootloaders, etc. This is as much of an open phone as possible, short of a Nexus or Maemo/Meego.
Thanks for the advice. Still pretty nervous about plumping for my first android phone after so long on iphones, but from everything I have seen about the Galaxy S2 it seems to pretty much match the 4s and certainly seems to do things the 4s simply cant touch such as hooking up usb memory sticks and the ease of connecting the device through HDMI to TVs.
It might take a bit of getting used to the Android way compared to the Apple way .
But you can do what you want its your phone and SJ dont tell you what is what .
jje

[REQ/INFO]Galaxy S3 Japan (SC-06D) root

Picked up my Japanese S3 today and looking to root it. I'm reading that using the I9300 is no go since it is a completely different model number. Specs for anyone interested:
Baseband:
SC06DOMLF5
Kernel:
[email protected]
Build:
IMM76D.SC06DOMALF5
If I can provide anything else let me know.
i would like to know the same...wtfusernameistaken is your nfc working...or is the app ic tag reader/writer the same thing?...or is it something i have to turn on through docomo?
cezeff said:
i would like to know the same...wtfusernameistaken is your nfc working...or is the app ic tag reader/writer the same thing?...or is it something i have to turn on through docomo?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Japanese version doesn't have NFC, only Japan's long-established equivalent.
Anyway, I love the phone, but I can't wait until some of the geniuses on here come up with an easy way to root it.
cezeff said:
i would like to know the same...wtfusernameistaken is your nfc working...or is the app ic tag reader/writer the same thing?...or is it something i have to turn on through docomo?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Negative. Just tried to scan my edy but no joy. My nexus S grabs it fine however. Cannot wait to dump this stupid docomo rom and get a vanilla one on. That or just go back to my Nexus S.
またSC-06DはNFCを搭載していないので、「Android Beam」を拡張したデータ転送機能「S Beam」も利用できない. Yep, no NFC.
SamMobile has a rom out for SC-06D. As soon as the DL finishes gonna give it a go since I tried the I9300 and it just black screens.
i seen that but i was pretty sure that was just the stock rom...which is really helpful if a bad rom is loaded and need to go back to stock...ive downloaded it too and keeping it to the side for emergencies....
The ability to root and throw CyanogenMod 9 on docomo's Galaxy S3 are the two most important factors in whether or not I will buy it in the next couple of months. Can you please keep us updated on your progress, wtfusernameistaken?
Hi all
Just registered to join in on this thread.
This is my first smartphone and was all excited for the s3,
only to be unpleasantly surprised by the docomo palette ui...
I knowledge my noob status, so please be gentle with me.
Habbit said:
The ability to root and throw CyanogenMod 9 on docomo's Galaxy S3 are the two most important factors in whether or not I will buy it in the next couple of months. Can you please keep us updated on your progress, wtfusernameistaken?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My honest opinion is that the phone sucks. No NFC, annoying uninstallable apps, battery gets quite warm, camera is meh, Kies is basically iTunes with a different layout. I went back to my nexus S and passed the S3 off to the wife. Tried to get a galaxy nexus but it would seem that it did so bad in Japan that they liquidated their entire stock 3 months ago. Guess I'll just have to wait for the next dev phone.
The rom on sammobile is in fact the stock rom, but good to have in case.
Your first sentence had me dying. Lol I guess that sums it up, though. I guess I'll start preparing to buy a One X, though I think I'm going to attempt to get the AT&T version and have it unlocked, as it seems that model is more liked than the international version. I don't even play Words with Friends, so Tegra 3, Schmegra 3 for all I care.
In my opinion this is a beast of a phone...nfc not there..it maybe just no unlocked..the screen is great..the 2gb is a major factor...the fact it'll be one if few phones to receive the jelly bean update..even the little tv tuner which I'm sure the statewide doesn't have..the massive support for it...the camera is great, even though some might choose a third party app...people are judging the phone after a few days of use...the real beauty and love affair comes after extended use...having all this potential and being a root and or custom Rom away from unleashing it is mouth watering...already my s3 out performs my s2 in every way...and it can only get better...every day I find or notice something about this phone that makes it more and more awesome...give it a chance and don't be so basis guys...
Sent from my SC-06D using xda app-developers app
a beast
Hey just got my phone today from Docomo. Let me know when you find a root for it. I just added apex launcher , but need to get rid of all the Docomo crap
A lot of the DoCoMo apps can be uninstalled
Sent from my SC-06D using xda app-developers app
Just tried this rooting method, managed to get root on sc-06d
http://galaxy.doorblog.jp/archives/10364401.html
You need to install busybox seperately, but it works!
cezeff said:
A lot of the DoCoMo apps can be uninstalled
Sent from my SC-06D using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A lot of them cannot be.
Thanks for the link! How is the osaifu-keitai functionality, does it still work after the procedure?
Sent from my SC-06D using xda app-developers app
deletio said:
Thanks for the link! How is the osaifu-keitai functionality, does it still work after the procedure?
Sent from my SC-06D using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didnt get to try it yet
ewdi said:
Just tried this rooting method, managed to get root on sc-06d
You need to install busybox seperately, but it works!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
English would be outstanding...
lachancp said:
English would be outstanding...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you lack Japanese skills I would be hesitant to root. Some of the warnings that come up will not be in english. Not to mention that all the development on the root was done by Japanese and the "documentation" will be as well.
This is my first Android device (and my first post )
I found the amount of Samsung and Docomo apps really ridiculous.
I want to get CM9 onto the device, so I can have a completely clean slate with no remnants of all the shovelware. As I'm new, I don't know how yet, but I've found several guides and videos and such for doing it for other devices, even the other versions of the Galaxy S3. Unfortunately I haven't found too much specifically for the Docomo Japan version, so I'm a little hesitant to try anything just yet. Is there anything that makes the Docomo device different from other Galaxy S3's, anything I should look out for?
One thing to note for anyone else who bought it here in Japan at Docomo, by default they automatically sign you up for a ton of their crap, iChannel, BodyMo, etc., and each one costs monthly. They're very easy to forget about. If you go digging through the "my docomo" site, through the customer support stuff, eventually you'll find the options to cancel each of the stuff they signed you up for. They really do make it hard to get to.

[Q] Unusual & unlikely Samsung GS3 i9300 running Gingerbread

Hi everyone! Today I finally decided to register in this great community, mainly because I'm looking for help and you are the ones that can help me.
I'm Henry and as the title says, I've hold and played with a Samsung Galaxy S3 running nothing more than Gingerbread. Why and how were my first questions when I first saw it, but I haven't been able to answer that.
This is the story: a friend of mine was given that GS3 hoping that he could solve the stuttering and lagging that it had (has) after a professor of him took it to a "technician". He, being the Android lover he is became surprised, so he came to me yesterday hoping that we could bring things back to normal (install stock jelly bean), but with no avail. That "thing" has the stock recovery and is not rooted, things we found EXTREMELY weird. We spent three hours trying to root it and then install a new recovery using different tools (gingerbreak, odin, odin mobile [we realized odin mobile needs root permissions to work, but still], samsung kies, universal_gb_root, framaroot) but you guessed: nothing worked. The only thing we didn't use was SuperOneClick. We couldn't put it into download mode and when we connected it to the pc, it didn't appeared as "adb interface" or "android composite device" but appeared with another strange name that had nothing to do with samsung or android, I can't recall the name of it right now. The other things we found was that the GS3 was showing that the internal storage was just 200mb, when it's a phone with "16"gb of storage, and that the battery says SAMSONG instead of SAMSUNG.
Long story short: it was an international, unlocked Samsung Galaxy GS3 i9300 running Gingerbread. My friend got it because a professor of him wanted he to fix it because after she took it to a "technician" it was very laggy. It was not rooted, it has stock android recovery (useless) and odin won't recognize it.
Do you guys have any effing idea of what is going on and how can we fix it?
We have three hypothesis: 1) they swapped her phone with a chinese knockoff (an extremely identical and functional knockoff); 2) they swapped the GS3's hard drive; 3) they didn't know what they were doing and installed Gingerbread instead of Jelly Bean (yup, sounds unlikely).
Thank you very much for yor help and attention!
Before getting halfway through your post, I decided you were talking about a clone/ knock-off
rootSU said:
Before getting halfway through your post, I decided you were talking about a clone/ knock-off
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then it's an extremely accurate clone. It has the samsung's boot animation, sounds, everything!
henry-gz said:
Then it's an extremely accurate clone. It has the samsung's boot animation, sounds, everything!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They all do. These things you listed are the easiest things to "clone". In fact, since they live in software, they could easily have been ripped out of the official firmware. A friend of mine (willingly) bought a Note 2 clone. It even has the annoying whistle notification.
It's not that accurate a clone though, if it comes with gingerbread, which the S3 never came with.
rootSU said:
They all do. These things you listed are the easiest things to "clone". In fact, since they live in software, they could easily have been ripped out of the official firmware. A friend of mine (willingly) bought a Note 2 clone. It even has the annoying whistle notification.
It's not that accurate a clone though, if it comes with gingerbread, which the S3 never came with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, you do have great points. Even so, is there something we can do about it? Besides give the police a heads up?
henry-gz said:
is there something we can do about it?
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Click to collapse
You need to prove 2 things.
1) It is a fake
2) It was not a fake before
2 is quite easy if it was supplied form an official network / carrier / provider store. 1 will involve screenshots of the about phone area and some physical shots as well as some info gained from this app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cpuid.cpu_z&hl=en
rootSU said:
You need to prove 2 things.
1) It is a fake
2) It was not a fake before
2 is quite easy if it was supplied form an official network / carrier / provider store. 1 will involve screenshots of the about phone area and some physical shots as well as some info gained from this app: https: //play. google. com/store/apps/details?id=com. cpuid.cpu_z&hl=en
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, I'll try to find that out asap and then I'll post the update here. Thank you very much for your help!
henry-gz said:
Okay, I'll try to find that out asap and then I'll post the update here. Thank you very much for your help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're welcome. Please let me know how you get on,
Easiest way to tell a clone is to take the back off and compare side by side with a genuine s3, the shape of the inner mouldings, position of sim and sd readers is very hard to exactly match during the reverse engineering process.
But the gingerbread and lack of download mode is conclusive in itself.
Check the imei and serial numbers on the original phone packaging against the imei of the handset you hold, if they are the same then your friend bought a clone.

Oneplus 2 sold with adware

A few weeks ago I bought the Oneplus 2 64Gb on the rather controversial website gearbest (chinese). I had a discount coupon, and got the phone for a pretty good price, slightly north of 300 bucks. The phone was delivered within 4 days (from UK to Italy) despite the website being pretty lame with payment methods. What surprised me is that the phone was obviously shipped with some adware/malware on it. I did not login my google account, and went for a full format/wipe and reinstall within 2 minutes from switching it on. In general I am pretty happy with the phone now (also given that in Italy nexus 6p still has to ship, and it's priced 700+Euros), but I am shocked to see 1+ delivered with malware.
I mean, they even pretend to have an invite system etc, but how can it then sell (without invite) trough such an bad retailer that installs malware? Had I been a completely beginner user who does not know about fastboot commands, probably I would still be stuck with the s**t they provided.
Anybody else having similar experiences? Anybody knows if it's possible that they also compromised low-level firmware to add some track-ware?
If Hydrogen OS was installed it's pretty normal that there is plenty of Chinese bloatware.
Sent from my ONE A2003 using Tapatalk
boober78 said:
If Hydrogen OS was installed it's pretty normal that there is plenty of Chinese bloatware.
Sent from my ONE A2003 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was on Oxygen, with some added apps that just popped up ads and tracked the user. I mean, ads pop up full screen with some frequency on your phone, and you need to click to send them away. Maybe I was spoiled by nexus devices then, but it looked like ridiculous to me.
I'm also ordered my 1+2 4 weeks ago, camed with bloatware and OxygenOS 2.0.2. Terrible service, will not ever again buy from here any device.
younoob said:
A few weeks ago I bought the Oneplus 2 64Gb on the rather controversial website gearbest (chinese).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This pretty much is the reason. If I've understood it right, u shouldn't buy OP anywhere else than from Oneplus. Kind of same as u would buy Iphone from some shady Chinese site and then blame Apple for malware/bloatware.
NoobMonkey said:
This pretty much is the reason. If I've understood it right, u shouldn't buy OP anywhere else than from Oneplus. Kind of same as u would buy Iphone from some shady Chinese site and then blame Apple for malware/bloatware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am not blaming OnePlus, not strongly at least. Indeed I am very happy with the phone, and finally I think I got a good deal for it. On Amazon it costed 150E more. I just wanted to know if the same thing happened to somebody else. Just, I cannot understand their marketing practice: gearbest had 30 phones in stock in UK and many more in China, but users need an invite to get one. It's hardly optimal to give priority to 'shady Chinese' retailer.
The only thing I can really blame on OnePlus is that their online software distribution is a bit weird. For instance one cannot download an official Oxygen 2.1, but has to start Oxygen 1.0 and then OTA to 2 and 2.1. It's fine, just it's not the same as nexus.
If you'd buy it with an invite via oneplus, there's no malware or bloatware installed!
Trinaaa said:
If you'd buy it with an invite via oneplus, there's no malware or bloatware installed!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can confirm this.
But really what seems to be the problem? You can clean flash OP2 without any issues. If you are looking to buy a device for a reduced price or without an invite, there might be a draw back. Clean flash and enjoy
I'm have same version, Chinese, but with a clean install of stock Oxygen OS, nothing of what you say is present.
Guys, take this as an habit, every time you buy a new phone (furthermore a "Google Experienced Device" such as Nexus, OnePlus, etc), factory reset + flash a clean firmware (those clean firmware are always on device's forum): it's ridiculously easy on this type of device ! So yeah, it's annoying when it's happened, but in content, that's not the most sh*ity about it!
casual_kikoo said:
Guys, take this as an habit, every time you buy a new phone (furthermore a "Google Experienced Device" such as Nexus, OnePlus, etc), factory reset + flash a clean firmware (those clean firmware are always on device's forum): it's ridiculously easy on this type of device ! So yeah, it's annoying when it's happened, but in content, that's not the most sh*ity about it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed, i also got mine from oppomart was bloated but i just factory reset and flash oxygen os myself, easy way and not something to complain about
Sent from my OnePlus 2 using Tapatalk
PetritH said:
Agreed, i also got mine from oppomart was bloated but i just factory reset and flash oxygen os myself, easy way and not something to complain about
Sent from my OnePlus 2 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or root it, and uninstall the bloatware apps.

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