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11 Tips for quickly recognizing fake gadgets

Guess you love your gadgets as much as we do. Smartphones and other gadgets must be your lifeline. There’s a new gadget that comes out every month or so, and you really must have it! Cashing in on this craze for gadgets, there are several companies which manufacture fake gadgets which look exactly the same as the originals. Many people, maybe even some friend or family member of yours fall prey to these nefarious people. But there are some signs which you can check for – these signs will make you spot the originals from the fakes, thus saving you from losing a great deal of money, not to mention the heartbreak! Check out these surefire tips for recognizing fake gadgets:

11 excellent tips for recognizing fake gadgets

 quickly recognizing fake gadgets

Phones and other gadgets have become our personal saviors, as they stave off boredom, help us keep in touch and basically act as our personal computers. The latest features make them even more tempting. Some duplicate brands have flooded their products in the market. If you don’t know what to look for, you’ll end up buying a fake.

Packaging

The first sign for recognizing fake gadgets is the packaging. Original products have flawless packaging – the material of the package is just smooth and without any blemish, and it looks expensive. Whereas the paper and other material used in fake products’ will definitely not have the gorgeous look. To identify real from fake, check that the packaging is not tampered with, or is not damaged. The paper quality will be quite poor.

The gadget is dirt cheap

The gadget is dirt cheap

How to check that a product is fake or genuine: if you find a deal which is too good to be true, it probably is unreal and fake. A genuine 100% original product just cannot be marked down beyond a point. A fake brand trying to spoof an original will make all kinds of claims and give enough reasons to convince you that you are buying an original gadget. Suppose you get a great deal – an iPhone for 50 dollars, you can bet that it’s either a duplicate or worse, stolen!

The user manual is in a totally unrecognizable language

Recognizing fake gadgets is not very tough if you know what to look for. For example, one of the ways to find out whether the product is original or counterfeit is to check the user manual. The best brands have a large number of copycats, but the fake companies hardly ever bother to change the language of the home country where the gadget has been counterfeited. Meaning the gadget may not be in English or French etc but in some other language.

Unboxing

Unboxing

One of the great tips for recognizing fake gadgets is unboxing the product. Generally, fakes come in boxes which look exactly the same. You’d be surprised how similar the boxes are. But one of the giveaways is that there might be some foreign language on the box. Besides, if you’re buying an iPhone or a similar high-end product, these will definitely not come covered in plastic cases. So if you see that your latest gizmo is packed in a plastic box, do avoid buying it! You’ll save yourself a lot of headaches!

Cords

When a high-end brand changes the design of its accessories, such as cords and charging outlets, they always announce it well ahead of time. So if you find the design of the cords etc different from the usual one, it means your product is a duplicate.

The product does not have the same look as its earlier versions

product does not have the same look a

One of the tips for recognizing fake gadgets is to notice the finer details. The cuts on the fake will not be as smooth as the original one. If you pay attention to details like this, you can identify real products from the duplicate ones.

The site is sketchy and the English is poor

Big resellers will have an excellent website, with well-written instructions and good English. Fake resellers will not have clear instructions, and the English would be poor with lots of grammatical mistakes. So if you order from a site like this, you should not be shocked if your gadget turns out to be fake.

Screen

Screen

The screen will also look different. Big brands have a typical, finished look. Before buying an expensive gadget, look at enough photos of the gadget online. Check out the manufacturer’s website and compare it with the image of the gadget you are planning to buy. If there are any differences, such as glossy finish when the original finish is matte, or vice versa, then the gadget on sale is surely fake. To gauge whether a gadget is original or counterfeit, you have to factor in the minute details such as sharp corners instead of round etc.

Check the fonts and logos

A company’s name and logo is an inherent part of its branding. We can all recognize the Apple or Microsoft or Samsung logo and the fonts in which they are written, as these symbols remain the same on all their products. One of the major ways of recognizing fake gadgets is to check whether the logo and font style is the same. The difference could be very subtle, for example, the name Samsung could be written as Samsun, with the ‘g’ missing. Look out for these minute differences in name, font color, style, logo design and you’ll never be fooled.

Chargers

Chargers

Chargers too can tell you whether the product is real or imitation. How to check if a charger is genuine or not – the finishing will be different for sure. Original chargers will have a smooth finish or a seam; basically, the design will be the same as the ones you’ve always used.

The reviews sound fake

When you’re browsing the net looking for latest gadgets at lowest prices, you may find some which are extremely cheap. But beware of these sites and read the reviews. If the reviews are over enthusiastic or the language has a lot of errors, you should be on your guard. Original product reviews usually sound just as you would write a review. Other reviewers might also post reviews warning against buying the gadget from that site. This should be the red flag for you, and you should heed the warning/s and avoid the site like the plague!

While you’re dying to buy the latest version of your favorite phone or gadget, don’t be in a hurry to do so. Remember to follow all the tips to help you spot a fake. Take your time and buy a product which is 100% genuine and will give you value for money.

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