It is not possible to tell if a Samsung J7 is genuine by looking at it on a screen or in a photo. If you can't hold the phone in your hand and compare it to an original model, check the IMEI number on the internet. This verification allows you to find out the real manufacturer of the device. You can protect yourself from fakes by learning to compare phones, check IMEI, run tests that only work on J7, and shop online safely.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Look at the Details
Step 1. Look at the color of the phone
In 2016, the Samsung J7 was produced in four colors: black, white, gold and rose gold. The 2015 model only exists in black, white and gold. If your phone isn't one of these colors, it's not original.
Step 2. Inspect the Samsung logo
The J7 has two manufacturer logos: one on the front (above the screen in the center) and one on the back (in the center, but shifted upwards). Logos shouldn't be sticky and shouldn't peel off when you scratch them.
Step 3. Compare the phone to an original J7
Phone counterfeiters are pretty good at making copies of the originals, but these don't hold a direct comparison to an authentic model. Try these simple tests:
- Find and press the buttons on your phone. Are they in the same places? When you press them, is the touch feeling the same?
- Stack the phones. Are they identical in size? Look at the edges; a fake J7 is usually thicker than a real one.
- Maximize the brightness of both phones. Are the colors more vibrant on the original model?
Step 4. Try entering the Samsung codes into the numeric keypad
There are some "secret codes" that you can use to troubleshoot Samsung models that should only work on authentic phones.
- * # 7353 #: A menu with various options (Melody, Vibration, Speaker, Dimming, etc.) should appear. If your phone is a Samsung J7, you will see the menu.
- * # 12580 * 369 #: The "Main version" screen should appear, where you will find many numbers specific to your phone. If the model is a genuine Samsung, this page will appear.
- * # 0 * #: You should see some gray square buttons (Red, Green, Blue, Receiver, Vibration, etc.) on a white background. Again, if nothing happens, the phone is not original.
Method 2 of 3: Verify the IMEI number
Step 1. Find your phone's 15-digit IMEI code
A quick way to check if a Samsung J7 is genuine is to enter the device's IMEI into a verification database. There are a few ways to find out the code:
- Type * # 06 # into the J7 numeric keypad. When you enter the last character, the IMEI will appear on the screen (you will see "IMEI" just above the number).
- Look for the IMEI on the box or under the battery. To access the battery you have to remove the back cover of the phone.
- If you are buying a J7 on the internet, ask the seller to tell you the number.
Step 2. Enter the IMEI at
You don't need a user profile or password to use this database, just write the IMEI in the blank field.
Step 3. Click "Check" to view the results
You will see a series of information appear on your phone. Next to "Brand" you should read "Samsung". If not, the device is not original.
Method 3 of 3: Buy a Samsung J7 Safely
Step 1. Consider the price
As of October 2016, the new Samsung J7s cost around € 250. You may find different prices based on the retailer and any discounts, but the figure shouldn't differ too much from that. If you find a new one for € 150, it probably isn't authentic.
Step 2. Purchase from one of the Samsung Authorized Resellers
On the Samsung website you can find the list of all the shops authorized to sell the products of the South Korean house. Visit https://www.samsung.com/us/peaceofmind/authorized_resellers.html for the current list.
Step 3. Ask the dealer for the IMEI number
If you are buying your phone over the internet from a private individual, for example on eBay or Craigslist, you should always check the IMEI before purchasing. If the seller doesn't tell you the IMEI, you shouldn't trust him.
Advice
- You can often find refurbished J7s at much lower figures than new models. You should buy refurbished phones from authorized dealers anyway.
- If you accidentally bought a non-original J7, try returning it. It is possible that the retailer did not know that it was a fake.
