How to Tell if your Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus is Fake

Samsung came out with the Galaxy S10 and S10+ earlier this year and caused quite a stir among technology enthusiasts worldwide.

The S10+ especially caught the eye of many due to its 6.4” screen and a serious upgrade to the battery life. Unfortunately, around the same time, the market was also flooded with numerous fake Samsung S10+ phones.

This may have caused some anxiety among folks who bought or are planning to buy an S10+. So, if you’re concerned that you might have bought a fake S10+ or want to avoid making a mistake, let’s dive into the details of what to watch out for.

Spotting a Fake Samsung Galaxy S10+

While we’re going to focus on the Galaxy S10+ specifically in this article, most of the points will apply to S10 as well. Apart from the two features, screen size and battery life, they’re essentially the same devices.

There are three main features that separate the Galaxy S10+ from most other Samsung Galaxy smartphones. All three of them are almost impossible to fake or clone, so they should be what you pay attention to first.

1. Ultrasonic In-Display Fingerprint Scanner

The flagship models Galaxy S10 and S10+ are the first, and so far, the only Samsung smartphones to use Qualcomm’s ultrasonic in-screen fingertip technology.

Essentially, that means that they read your fingerprints with sound waves. Fake Galaxy S10+ handsets might have a fingerprint reader, but there’s a way to figure out if it’s authentic.

Register one finger with the scanner and then try to unlock the phone with another finger. If you succeed, then you’re holding a fake S10+.

2. Test the Bixby Feature

Bixby, the Samsung AI assistant, has been around since Galaxy S8 and S8+ models. It’s also available on other Samsung smart devices like phones and TVs. If you want to make sure that your S10+ features the right AI assistant, test the Bixby feature.

Go ahead and follow the instructions on the screen for Bixby calibration, keeping a close eye on the logo specifically. Fake S10+’s might show the Google Assistant logo instead of the blue Bixby “B.”

3. Check the Reverse Wireless Charging Capability

A new feature introduced with the Galaxy S10 and S10+ is reverse wireless charging capability. Users that have not yet encountered a smart device with this capability might wonder what it’s all about.

Reverse wireless charging, or PowerShare as Samsung calls it, is the ability for one device to charge another wirelessly. So, your S10+, when attached to another phone with wireless charging capability, should be able to charge it.

This technology is still at its early phase, and not many smartphones feature it. A cloned Samsung Galaxy S10 and S10+ will definitely not have it. All you need to do is test the device on the spot to make sure.

Other Ways to Spot a Fake Samsung Galaxy S10+

We’ve covered the three most relevant features to focus on when you’re trying to determine if you’ve bought a fake S10 or to ensure that it will not happen. But here are a few other ways you can test the authenticity of an S10+.

Price

Right off the bat, let’s be honest – if the price is too good to be true, it almost definitely is. While the price might go up or down a little bit, premium Samsung phones are always priced at the high end.

Packaging

Let’s be clear that the packaging is much easier to fake than proprietary technology or hardware. But if you pay attention to details, there are always clues.

Watch out for plastic foil that’s not very tidy or with a general shabbiness to it. Another telltale sign is the Samsung font size and color.

The packaging could also contain irregular information about the phone. So, compare what you see with known specifications of the S10+ online.

Performance

If you’ve already bought a suspicious S10+ or have the opportunity to check out the phone before you commit to the purchase, make sure to test it a bit.

If it feels lagging or something just doesn’t feel right about how it performs, trust your instinct. The Samsung Galaxy S10+ should be nothing short of impressive in terms of speed and performance.

Speakers

A quick way to test if a Samsung S10+ is fake, or in any way faulty, is to test its speakers. If you’re interested in the Galaxy S10+ because it has dual speakers, you know that the audio should blow you away.

After all, the earpiece doubles as a loudspeaker. If the sound doesn’t impress you, skip the purchase as it’s probably a fake.

Serial Number

You can check the serial number on the Samsung S10+ in two different ways. You can go to settings and check the “About Phone” where the serial number is displayed. You can also enter the dialing code “*#06#” and you’ll see the number on the screen instantly.

The serial number represents the manufacturer, model, year of production, and even the color of the phone’s case. If the serial number is just a sequence of numbers or all letters, that means it’s fake. Try researching the serial number and see what information it contains.

How to Avoid Buying a Fake Samsung Galaxy S10+?

There’s nothing wrong with trying to get the best price for your new smartphone, especially one that’s as pricey as the S10+. But you’re not going to be able to find the real thing on a random website.

Nor should you buy it from a stranger. The best option is to go to your carrier (or a reputable dealer) and follow any changes in price or available deals. Additionally, buying insurance for your device is worth considering too.

Stay on the Lookout for the Real Deal

If you choose not to pay the full retail price for an S10+ or buy it from your carrier, then you’re treading on dangerous waters. While it’s not impossible to buy a genuine S10+ for cheap, it’s highly unlikely.

Pay attention to all the features listed above. Even if just one of them seems off, it’s probably best to cancel the purchase. Most of all, pay extra attention to the first three features that have to do with S10 innovations.

Have you ever bought a fake phone or been able to spot one before a purchase? Let us know in the comments section below.