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This article was co-authored by How.com.vn staff writer, Nicole Levine, MFA. Nicole Levine is a Technology Writer and Editor for How.com.vn. She has more than 20 years of experience creating technical documentation and leading support teams at major web hosting and software companies. Nicole also holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Portland State University and teaches composition, fiction-writing, and zine-making at various institutions.
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Because illegally cloned smartphones can look just like originals, you cannot always identify them at first glance. This How.com.vn teaches you how to figure out whether your iPhone or Android is authentic or just a convincing clone.
Steps
Check the specifications on the packaging. If your new iPhone came in an iPhone box, the box should display a model number, serial number, and IMEI. These numbers should match what you see when you open the Settings app and select General > About. If the specifications don’t match, it’s possible your phone is a clone.[1]
Verify the serial number at https://checkcoverage.apple.com. Entering the iPhone's serial number into Apple's warranty status website should display the model, warranty period, support status, and other information about the phone. If you see a message that says "We're sorry, but this serial number is not valid," your iPhone is likely not authentic.- You can find your iPhone's serial number in the Settings app under General > About.
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Check the IMEI number at https://www.imeipro.info/. Each phone has a unique IMEI number. Searching for that number in a database will provide you details about the phone. If the IMEI number displays information about a different model, you'll know you've come across a fake.- To find the IMEI, dial *#06# on the keypad or check the SIM tray.[2]
Look for a memory card slot. There are no models of Apple iPhones that have memory card slots.[3] If your phone has a slot for any size memory card, it's likely an Android that has been reworked to look like an iPhone.
Check the Apple logo on the back of the iPhone. All iPhones display an Apple logo on their back sides. An authentic Apple logo should not feel raised or textured. If rubbing your finger across the logo feels different than rubbing across anywhere else on the back of the iPhone, the phone is likely not an original.[4]
Compare the phone to a confirmed iPhone of the same model. Hold both phones side-by-side and ensure they are the same size, and then do the same for each edge. If you're using a newer model with a top-notch, make sure the notches are aligned the same exact way on both phones. If your phone is different from the confirmed original, it isn't authentic.- You can also compare your phone to an image of a genuine iPhone from Apple's website. Go to https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201296 to view a complete list.
Look for Apple's default apps. All iPhones come with certain apps installed, including the App Store, Settings, Compass, and Safari. If you see a Play Store app on your iPhone, it's a dead giveaway that you're using an Android that was made to look like an iPhone.[5]- Check the Settings app for standard iPhone menus like Control Center, Siri & Search, and iTunes & App Store.
- All iPhones come with the Safari web browser. If you don't have Safari you don't have an iPhone.
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Compare the handset to a confirmed Android of the same model. Hold both phones side-by-side and ensure they are the same size, and then do the same for each edge. Many models come in a variety of colors, but all other details should be exactly the same.[6]- If you don't have access to an Android, search the internet for a photo of a genuine model that matches yours.
Verify the materials used to make the phone. Go the website of the company that manufactured your phone and look for a page that describes its building materials. The listed materials should match your phone.- For example, if the manufacturer states that screen is made of glass and your new handset has a plastic screen, you'll know your phone is inauthentic.
Check the IMEI number at http://www.imeipro.info. Each phone has a unique IMEI number. Searching for that number in a database will provide you details about the phone. If the IMEI number displays information about a different model, you'll know you've come across a fake.- To find the IMEI, dial *#06# on the keypad or look under the battery.
Run a third-party benchmarking app like AnTuTu Benchmark. This app runs some tests on your Android and displays information about its specs. If the specs and model you see are different than what's supposed to be on the phone, you'll know your phone is not authentic. You can download AnTuTu for free from the Play Store.[7]
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Community Q&A
Search
- QuestionHow do I know if my Sony V3+ is original?
Community AnswerDial *#06# on your phone. Copy the number displayed. Go to Imei.info, enter the number displayed, and see what phone it is. - QuestionHow do I know that my Samsung J9 prime is an original?
Community AnswerCheck the IMEI number (type into the phone, *#06#) and then Google the number. The Samsung J9 primes are almost always originals. - QuestionI entered the I.M.E.I. number; it said the phone was an HTC brand but gave me no other information. Where can I find more detail about my phone?
SlipSerumCommunity AnswerTry visiting HTC's site for more information and search the support for details of your phone.
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References
- ↑ https://www.dignited.com/33650/how-to-tell-a-fake-phone-from-an-original-one/
- ↑ https://www.verizon.com/articles/prepaid-and-cpo/what-to-know-when-buying-a-used-phone/
- ↑ https://mashtips.com/steps-identify-original-iphone/
- ↑ https://www.spotafakephone.com/how-to-tell.cfm
- ↑ https://www.androidauthority.com/spot-fake-phone-882017/
- ↑ https://www.spotafakephone.com/how-to-tell.cfm
- ↑ https://www.androidauthority.com/spot-fake-phone-882017/
About This Article
How.com.vn Technology Writer
This article was co-authored by How.com.vn staff writer, Nicole Levine, MFA. Nicole Levine is a Technology Writer and Editor for How.com.vn. She has more than 20 years of experience creating technical documentation and leading support teams at major web hosting and software companies. Nicole also holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Portland State University and teaches composition, fiction-writing, and zine-making at various institutions. This article has been viewed 1,143,198 times.
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Co-authors: 12
Updated: December 12, 2023
Views: 1,143,198
Categories: Hardware
Article SummaryX
1. Compare the phone to a confirmed original.
2. Look up the IMEI number in a database.
3. Make sure the specs on the box match the phone.
4. If it's an iPhone, make sure the Apple logo is not raised.
5. If it's an Android, use the AnTuTu Benchmark tool to check the specs.
For more tips, including how to check your phone’s build quality to see if it’s an original or not, read on!
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Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,143,198 times.
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