Real or fake - Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hey guys was going to buy an s5 from my daughter for Xmas off a third party, how would I make sure its real and not fake any help would be great cheers

Don't do it. If you must study the real handset and lookup fakes online. But seriously it's worth paying extra for a genuine new unit. Do you have a link for this third party?

@non4 said:
Don't do it. If you must study the real handset and lookup fakes online. But seriously it's worth paying extra for a genuine new unit. Do you have a link for this third party?
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Here is the link
http://www.adverts.ie/samsung/brand-new-samsung-galaxy-s5-on-vodafone/6888287 thanks for your help.

Box looks wrong. Never seen one in cellophane either.

spasch said:
Box looks wrong. Never seen one in cellophane either.
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Really crazy that there selling these items as genuine products and getting away with it, done a bit of research and there is a lot of fakes around Ireland.

eireusa said:
Really crazy that there selling these items as genuine products and getting away with it, done a bit of research and there is a lot of fakes around Ireland.
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If you had bought it, use this app to check if it is genuine or fake:
Phone INFO ★Samsung★ > Menu > 'Refurbishment Check'.
You should also compare the IMEI and S/N on the box, in the app and on the back plate (behind the battery). They should be all the same.
Also use a bar code scanner app to scan the bar code on that back plate, and it should match with the IMEI.

vndnguyen said:
If you had bought it, use this app to check if it is genuine or fake:
Phone INFO ★Samsung★ > Menu > 'Refurbishment Check'.
You should also compare the IMEI and S/N on the box, in the app and on the back plate (behind the battery). They should be all the same.
Also use a bar code scanner app to scan the bar code on that back plate, and it should match with the IMEI.
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Click to collapse
Asked him to send me IMEI no. but he was reluctant Its starting to look a bit risky Thanks to everybody for there help
Nice to have somewhere to ask a few questions. THANKS

eireusa said:
Asked him to send me IMEI no. but he was reluctant Its starting to look a bit risky Thanks to everybody for there help
Nice to have somewhere to ask a few questions. THANKS
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Click to collapse
Yep fake. No reason to refuse sending that otherwise. Also as mentioned the boxes are never wrapped, rather they are sealed with stickers

vndnguyen said:
If you had bought it, use this app to check if it is genuine or fake:
Phone INFO ★Samsung★ > Menu > 'Refurbishment Check'.
You should also compare the IMEI and S/N on the box, in the app and on the back plate (behind the battery). They should be all the same.
Also use a bar code scanner app to scan the bar code on that back plate, and it should match with the IMEI.
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Click to collapse
Hi, first just like to say thanks for your above guide to buying second hand phones.
I have another phone that interests me another S5 But this guy seems very genuine he said that i could check anything I want on the phone there and then. Only thing is no box it was damaged by his kid brother, seems like a nice guy. Do you think I would be O.K if I just went by your above guide?

eireusa said:
Hi, first just like to say thanks for your above guide to buying second hand phones.
I have another phone that interests me another S5 But this guy seems very genuine he said that i could check anything I want on the phone there and then. Only thing is no box it was damaged by his kid brother, seems like a nice guy. Do you think I would be O.K if I just went by your above guide?
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Click to collapse
You can post (or PM me) all screenshots from Phone INFO ★Samsung★ app + screenshot of 'Refurbishment Check' menu + hi-res picture of the back plate (behind the battery).
I will try to check it for you.

vndnguyen said:
You can post (or PM me) all screenshots from Phone INFO ★Samsung★ app + screenshot of 'Refurbishment Check' menu + hi-res picture of the back plate (behind the battery).
I will try to check it for you.
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Click to collapse
Cheers mate he should be back on to me tonight or tomorrow about phone
so thanks again
On a different note wouldn't it be handy for truthful sellers and truthful buyers of phones to make a transaction without the fear of being scammed Surely in this day and age there has to be a way to do that Would a transaction through the likes of paypal not be a better idea? I just mean how would you get a buyer to give you the phone to run all these checks on it before you have even gave him the money. And then from his point of view how could he trust you with the phone without money, you could be doing anything to it, I mean is there some info on a phone that could be dangerous for someone to have? I guess that's why people say not to buy second hand. But these phones a very expensive a specially for teenagers so that is why its nice for parent's to get them for a better price then at least they can mess around with rooting and flashing I mean £300 is better than £600 not to mention bringing them to school they are so often stolen but hey that is just my opinion.

This website has good details about the difference between real and fake S5.
http://littleboyreports.com/science...ifferentiate-original-samsung-galaxy-s5-fake/

Related

Found SGS 2 laying on Road

While there r so many threads here telling they lost their sexy phone , well i just got one . found laying on side of the road ( it is nice leather case so phone is in same condition )
Having evil ideas about the phone.
So tell me guys what to do.......
Btw i have already one
vikas776 said:
While there r so many threads here telling they lost their sexy phone , well i just got one . found laying on side of the road ( it is nice leather case so phone is in same condition )
Having evil ideas about the phone.
So tell me guys what to do.......
Btw i have already one
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try and trace the owner or hand it in would be a good start.
Trace the owner, and if you cannot find them, hand it in to the nearest police station to where you found it.
Alternatively contact the carrier who can trace the sim number or mobile number of the phone and find the owner.
keep it, if you drop yours you have a spare one ,
unless the owner calls the phone. than you can give it back >.>
If you dont hand it in you will probably find the IMEI gets blocked by the carrier when it gets reported missing, so wont be of much use as a phone anyway.
Hand it in, if it was your phone I am sure you would wish for the same.
shouldn't be too hard to trace the owner, so do it.
If you can turn WiFi and gps on and leave the phone powered on (Samsung dive) else turn it in.
Step 1: Check the call log and call one of the numbers the person dials often. That's sure to be a friend/family member of the person.
Step 2: Tell them you found the phone and let them put you in touch with the owner.
Step 3: Return the phone to its rightful owner.
Step 4: Enjoy the boost in Karma.
The owner uses Samsung Dive and is tracking you right now. It's a guy, he's 6'4," 250lbs, and read this thread on XDA. Now what are you going to do
I don't understand the question. Is that just me?
There's only 1 thing to do, and that's ring someone (as suggested above) and return it to its rightful owner.
Edit: Alternatively, check the email address of the owner and get in touch with them that way.
BarryH_GEG said:
The owner uses Samsung Dive and is tracking you right now. It's a guy, he's 6'4," 250lbs, and read this thread on XDA. Now what are you going to do
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Click to collapse
give me the phone and ill deal with this guy
What ever you do, never hand it to the police. it will end with them. This should be the last option If all the others don't work. Better it ends with the rightful owner as first option or you as last but one option.
What would you do if you found 5000 dollars on the floor? Hand it to the police? If you can't trace it, they can't.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
a67543210 said:
What ever you do, never hand it to the police. it will end with them. This should be the last option If all the others don't work. Better it ends with the rightful owner as first option or you as last but one option.
What would you do if you found 5000 dollars on the floor? Hand it to the police? If you can't trace it, they can't.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
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Click to collapse
i agree..
Handing it over to the cops should be your last option.
if u do anything but hand it in or try to find the owner you are a common thief.....why even ask the question,
Not really...
OrionCarl said:
if u do anything but hand it in or try to find the owner you are a common thief.....why even ask the question,
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Click to collapse
I dont think you can call the guy a thief, he found the phone, did not steal it from anybody.
Now morally, thats a different matter.
I would try and trace the rightfull owner and return his phone.
ATB
OrionCarl said:
if u do anything but hand it in or try to find the owner you are a common thief.....why even ask the question,
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Click to collapse
el.motar said:
I dont think you can call the guy a thief, he found the phone, did not steal it from anybody.
Now morally, thats a different matter.
I would try and trace the rightfull owner and return his phone.
ATB
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Click to collapse
I agree with OrionCarl in this case. Just because you find something doesn't mean it doesn't belong to someone else. Keeping it when you know that it does is the equivalent of stealing it.
Cool story bro!
if you can access the phone check for a HOME number, alternatively check the phones own number and contact the provider and report it...
soraxd said:
pshhhh 1. change that imei and use it as a spare
2. sell it overseas where it wont be imei locked
3. sell it to mee!! i want to buy this phone for someone, and i wont use it as a phone, only as a wifi toy
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Click to collapse
or sell it back to the person who lost it....

[Q] Can IMEI be changed?

I want to buy a new HD2.The seller says he has some hd2 produced in June and it can be inquired on htc website by imei.
Can IMEI be changed ?
I worry it's refurbished
thanks
zero2zero said:
I want to buy a new HD2.The seller says he has some hd2 produced in June and it can be inquired on htc website by imei.
Can IMEI be changed ?
I worry it's refurbished
thanks
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Click to collapse
not easily and not legally, but it can be done.
orangekid said:
not easily and not legally, but it can be done.
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Click to collapse
agreed, its not easy but it is possible
is there a way to know if it has been changed?
zero2zero said:
is there a way to know if it has been changed?
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Click to collapse
I SERIOUSLY doubt it's been changed. Well the box should have it as well as if you remove the battery it should say it on the back of the phone, so the guy would have had to hard program it into the phone and also changed out inside the phone.
Don't worry about it.
Maybe I think too much
I'm from China. In China many 'refurbishers' specialize in these works.
I need to examine the whole phone and I wish I won't be unfortunate.
zero2zero said:
Maybe I think too much
I'm from China. In China many 'refurbishers' specialize in these works.
I need to examine the whole phone and I wish I won't be unfortunate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check to make sure the IMEI on the back of the phone under the battery is the same one listed in settings > about.
Also if you got a box make sure that it is the same IMEI as on the phone.
If all three are the same it is very highly doubtful that it was changed.

[Q] Do Samsung dialer codes work on fakes?

I'm going to check out a used 9505 today, and I want to ask if the dialer codes work in fakes, because I thought this might be one good way to tell if it was fake or not.
There are a ton of fakes around this area, even in stores, etc. so I want to be safe. I thought about the obvious things like the appearance, but the dailer codes I thought would be a sure thing and maybe check download mode and recovery?
What suggestions do you have to spot a fake other than this?
Today at 3PM I'm heading to meet the seller. The price is right, not too low to arouse suspicion, but decent. He says it's new.
Is there any way to check total service time/on time in the dailer?
donalgodon said:
I'm going to check out a used 9505 today, and I want to ask if the dialer codes work in fakes, because I thought this might be one good way to tell if it was fake or not.
There are a ton of fakes around this area, even in stores, etc. so I want to be safe. I thought about the obvious things like the appearance, but the dailer codes I thought would be a sure thing and maybe check download mode and recovery?
What suggestions do you have to spot a fake other than this?
Today at 3PM I'm heading to meet the seller. The price is right, not too low to arouse suspicion, but decent. He says it's new.
Is there any way to check total service time/on time in the dailer?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ususaly not, install CPU Z if you can on the device and look for the CPU info. Fake ones have a MTK chip instead of a Qualcomm.

Is this a fake/clone S5?

I want to buy it but it looks fake, what do you think guys?
Obagleyfreer said:
I want to buy it but it looks fake, what do you think guys?
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Click to collapse
Post a pic of the backside, most clones don`t have a heartrate sensor. Als install Phone Info or CPU-Z if you can to help identifying the phone.
The Samsung is out of place.
itsadogslife said:
The Samsung is out of place.
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Samsung is NOT out of place. The photo wasn't taken straight on. That being said, the inner boxing is all wrong. The packing that holds the phone itself is flush with the top edge of the outer box the entire way around. Personally, I wouldn't buy it. If you have doubts dont do it. Also if the seller won't meet your requests for pics, don't do it
To me the dimensions look wrong, it looks wider than my s5. I call fake. Don't risk it unless you can see it in person
Thanks guys
I saw that the Samsung logo was in the wrong place (too close to the top of screen) instantly so that's why I asked here. But the seller remained certain it was genuine.
I won't buy it.
Thank you!
Obagleyfreer said:
Thanks guys
I saw that the Samsung logo was in the wrong place (too close to the top of screen) instantly so that's why I asked here. But the seller remained certain it was genuine.
I won't buy it.
Thank you!
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Click to collapse
Exactly what I said, Samsung is in the wrong place, meant to be in the middle of the ear piece and top of the screen.
Obagleyfreer said:
Thanks guys
I saw that the Samsung logo was in the wrong place (too close to the top of screen) instantly so that's why I asked here. But the seller remained certain it was genuine.
I won't buy it.
Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
bezels are way too narrow. It is definetly a fake. Also if you're ever questioning a phones authenticity best way to sort out fakes from real is quickly login with a Gmail and download cup identifier from the play store. Tells you everything you need to know from model to cpu brand/type to camera resolution etc. Even tells you if it's imitating a real phone
I'm pretty sure that "samsung's logo is too close to the screen" and the "phone's too wide" or "the bezels are too thin"..is because of the black sticker/amoled paper thingy all over the phone.. im still doubtful tho
I have been going around posting a link to this website I found which has details about differences between real and fake Galaxy S devices.
http://littleboyreports.com/science...ifferentiate-original-samsung-galaxy-s5-fake/

[Q] Screen "Self Destructs" - A Samsung defect?

Hi all,
I'm posting this pic to see if anyone else had seen something of this sort in the past:
--> Well it seems I can't post links to ImageShack... Please see the attached .jpg
It first appeared in the beginning of last October - Then I thought it was merely a scratch I somehow managed to get, Despite the fact that I never dropped my phone.
Moreover, when you pass your finger over it - you can't feel a thing. This is completely internal.
Any thoughts?
Does it have the screen protector?
Is it even a real Samsung ?
Sent from my N9005
vndnguyen said:
Does it have the screen protector?
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No, and never had one.
Dejan Sathanas said:
Is it even a real Samsung ?
Sent from my N9005
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Click to collapse
Are you kidding me? It's the very same model you have - N9005.
If you want I can prove it's real, just tell me what to look for.
Anyway, It keeps spreading towards the center of the screen which is annoying...
So you had a slight scratch already, and you didn't care about that and now that scratch is spreading. Isn't that normal? A crack always widens out!
Sounds like this thread.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-note-3/general/note-3-screen-delaminating-t2934421
mod4xbox said:
If you want I can prove it's real, just tell me what to look for.
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Click to collapse
Do you really want to check if it is real?
Use Phone INFO ★Samsung★ app > Menu > 'Refurbishment Check'.
The warranty period was expired, isn't it?
vndnguyen said:
Do you really want to check if it is real?
Use Phone INFO ★Samsung★app > Menu > 'Refurbishment Check'.
The warranty period was expired, isn't it?
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Click to collapse
Well it's a nice app that you wrote, kudos!
I added the screenshot as requested, see below.
Mfc Date BTW is 2014.03.05 so I'm still under warranty (I purchased it on April actually...)
To the guy who said something about a scratch spreading - I will say this again: It is not a physical scratch. It appeared out of nowhere and I haven't been able to figure out the trigger to its spreading...
Since it's still under warranty, why didn't you send it to the warranty service.
Well I did, they (quite expectedly) claim it's a result of exterior damage.
Bummer.
mod4xbox said:
Well I did, they (quite expectedly) claim it's a result of exterior damage.
Bummer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is a screen fault, and not a damage caused by you. It is the loca adhessive that has loosen't.
Find another service center.
best regards

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