Have you ever visited the vibrant Ikeja Computer Village in Lagos or any other tech hub in Nigeria to buy a smartphone? You could walk away thinking you’ve snagged the best deal, only to realize you’ve purchased a counterfeit device.

In this article, we’ll highlight common red flags to watch out for, especially with Android smartphones, as they are the most commonly cloned. These fake Android phones are often made using inferior materials and outdated technology, making it crucial to know the signs before buying.

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Here are some red flags to spot fake phones
Branding and Logos
The first thing you should look out for when you unbox or buy a new phone is the brand and the logo.

Ensure that you carefully examine the quality of the branding to be sure that it is made of quality print, proper documentation and accessories that match the brand’s standards. Low-quality prints in branding indicate that the device is likely to be fake.

Also, be sure to look out for misspellings, incorrect logos, and blurry logos.

Screen After a careful look at the logo, the next thing to consider is a good look at the gap between the end of the display screen and the edge of the phone. If the dark gap is wide, then it’s a fake phone. Also, look out for a bright and neat screen.

Ensure to check that the screen texture comes with a screen’s glass material and is not made of cheap glass material that feels like plastic more than glass.

IMEI number

This is another aspect that tells you if you are buying a standard phone. And you can usually find this in the settings or on the box.

To check the IMEI, simply dial *#06# to get it, copy and head to Imei.info. Input the number and click on check. The information you get is supposed to verify your device. But if it returns something else, then it’s a fake phone.

There is a consistent way the camera buttons are placed especially in any original Android phone. Basically, the camera buttons are always on the right side of the phone and ensure they function properly.

Software and user interface

After unboxing and putting on the phone, ensure that the phone runs official software versions from the operating system which is expected to provide a seamless user experience.

Therefore, it is also a red flag if the interface lacks standard features like regular updates. Also, check for pre-installed apps that are not recognizable or necessary.

Price

Don’t fall too easily for a cheap phone rather it should serve as a red flag. If the price is significantly lower than the market value, ensure you take a proper look at other red flags mentioned in this article to be sure you are getting a quality product.

Retailer reputation

Always ensure to purchase from reputable store or authorized dealers. This is one way to avoid buying a fake phone and you can carry out reviews on what the particular brand of phone you want to buy looks like before visiting the store or dealer.

Lastly, a reliable way to ensure you’re not buying a fake Android phone is by checking specific codes.

For example, #1234# will display the device’s current firmware, *##1472365## accesses GPS test settings. ##197328640## to enter the service mode main menu, ##4636## for diagnostic and general settings, and #0# for general test mode.

If you don’t receive any response after entering these codes, it’s a clear indication that the phone may be a fake