How to Tell an Original (Genuine) Phone from a Fake or Refurbished One

Identifying whether a phone is genuine, fake, or refurbished is one of the most important concerns when buying a mobile device — especially in the Iranian market, where repackaged copy models are common.

Below are simple, practical tips you can use to check if a phone is original:

1. Inspect the Box and Packaging Contents

• Brand Logo & Hologram: The box should have the brand’s official logo printed in high quality, without spelling errors or faded colors.

• Accessories: The included charger, cable, earphones, and manuals should all be branded and well-made. Missing or mismatched items are suspicious.

• Serial Number (IMEI): The IMEI printed on the box must match the IMEI shown on the phone (usually printed on the back, side, or SIM tray).

2. Check the IMEI Number

• To display your phone’s IMEI, dial: *#06#

• Make sure the IMEI matches:

  • The label on the box

  • The label or engraved number on the device body (sometimes under the battery or SIM tray)

  • The phone’s software info in Settings > About Phone

Verify the IMEI’s authenticity:

[Go to imei.info, enter the number, and check that its details match your exact model.

For unactivated phones, Apple (for iPhone) or Samsung (for Galaxy) have their own IMEI check tools.

3. Examine Build Quality

• Materials: The body, buttons, screen quality, and even the phone’s weight often differ noticeably between genuine devices and counterfeits.

• Font & Logo: All logos and text on the device should be precisely and clearly engraved or printed.

• Camera, Flash & Ports: Fake models often fail to perfectly replicate the placement or design of lenses, flash modules, and ports.

4. Check Software & Technical Specs

• System Settings: Go to Settings > About Phone and review the model, Android/iOS version, and manufacturer details.

• Use Hardware Check Apps: Apps like CPU-Z, AIDA64, or 3uTools (iPhone) display hardware details. Mismatches between listed specs and the official model indicate a fake.

5. Test the Phone’s Performance

• Speed & Smoothness: Counterfeit devices often perform slower and have downgraded components (processors, cameras, displays).

• Camera Quality: Take test photos and compare them with online samples from the official device model.

6. Verify Warranty & Invoice

• If buying from an authorized dealer or trusted store, the phone should have a valid warranty.

• The IMEI and exact model should be recorded on the purchase invoice.

Key Takeaways

✅ Always verify the IMEI

✅ Only purchase from reputable, trusted sellers with proof of authenticity

✅ Remember: If a deal is too good to be true, it probably is