Dear friends! Recently, my comrades from China sent me an interesting gift, or rather, I ordered it myself. Then the idea for writing a review article was born. So that there are no comments, I’ll say right away that I took it to Aliexpress. This inexpensive version of a well-known world brand is not much inferior to the original. But that's just in my opinion. Let's talk about it in more detail.
Number models: s4 Brand: Missing Unlocked: Yes Display Color: Color Design: Rectangular monoblock Number of cores: 4 Quad Core Signal parameters: GSM/WCDMA Screen resolution: 1280×720 Screen type: Capacitive Screen matrix type: IPS Screen size: 5.0 inches Number of SIM cards: 1 SIM Card RAM: 1G Processor: MTK6589 with core frequency 1.6GHz Talk time: 6-8 hours Built-in memory: 4G Color: White / Black Operating system: Android 4.2 Features: GPS Navigation, Email, FM Radio, MP3 Playback, Touch Screen, QWERTY Layout, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Memory Card Slots, Video Player, Gravity Sensor, Front + Rear Cameras, Messages Condition: Brand New Battery Capacity(mAh): 2600 mAh Language support: Russian
Dimensions: 137mm*70mm*8mm Camera: 9mp The weight: 155gr
After the description, you can immediately go to the tests. According to its characteristics, it is identical to the original, yes, it can be hard to believe in it, but the quality is not much worse than the branded counterpart. For example, 4 cores with frequencies of 1.6 GHz fully satisfy the gadget's need to run the most demanding applications. The only drawback of the Chinese samsung s4, like the original one, is the amount of 1 GB of RAM. Well, it asks with such characteristics to improve this parameter up to 2 GB. The 9MP camera takes good pictures, you just need to look at them. But the colors could be brighter, though maybe that's because I'm comparing with 13MP cameras. There are two versions of the phone, I think white is better, but for comparison I will give both.
Copy of Samsung Galaxy S4 differs from the original only in the absence of an inscription, otherwise, the Chinese version cannot be distinguished with the naked eye. Moreover, the 5-inch diagonal once again confirms the premium status of the device, giving the owner a pleasant feeling of using this device. The phone is very thin, only 8 mm.
All the advantages and disadvantages are to be assessed by yourself. But I will give exactly what I personally liked. The first is the appearance, subtlety, lightness, ease of use, support for the Russian language and domestic communication standards. The second is cost. This model costs less than $ 200 at the time of my purchase. Where else can you get such a gadget for such a low price? Given that now the original costs 700-800 dollars.
The seller who sold me the Chinese copy was not chosen by me by chance. I chose the highest rating first to be on the safe side. And then I read what is included. They sent me 2 batteries of 2600 mAh, headphones, charger, cable for connecting to a computer, an 8GB card and a phone case. I think it’s not a sin to give so much money for this, given that other stores save on components. They may even sell without them. Another plus is that delivery by Singapore Post is included. My phone went exactly 20 days.
For dessert, I propose a comparison of the phone with the iPhone.
After watching a video on YouTube about Chinese goods from Chinese online stores like Aliexpress.com, I decided to buy some electronics for myself too. In general, judging by the video from YouTube, the reviews about the goods are not bad, the quality is more than satisfactory, if you know, of course, where and from whom to buy.
Initially wanted to buy a Chinese copy of iphone 5s. They are even cheaper than samsung galaxy s4 copies. But the Chinese have not yet mastered iOS, it looks like iOS, but still, copies of iPhones are made on Android.
Therefore, he turned his attention to Chinese copy of Samsung galaxy s4 i9500.
Ordered from Aliexpress.com. I will not give a link to the phone until I receive the order.
What we are promised in the Chinese Samsung Galaxy S4
- Super copy 1:1
- Screen 5 inches, resolution 1280×720 (not Super AMOLED)
- Processor: 4-core (for mtk6589) or 2-core (for mtk6577)
- RAM: 1 GB
- Internal memory volume: 4 GB
- Camera: 8MP with flash
- Android OS 4.2 Jelly Bean
- Understands air gestures
- There is a Russian language.
Prices for Chinese copies of the galaxy s4 i9500 start at $120 (4000 rubles). A good copy of the phone will cost an average of about 5,000 rubles.
The price tag is very pleasant, considering that the price is already indicated with delivery to Russia.
Shipping: China Post Ordinary 30-50 days. But I was reluctant to wait, so I paid extra for EMS delivery, hoping to receive it before the New Year.
I ordered on December 4, today they sent it on December 7, they gave me a track, I will follow.
In general, as soon as I get it, I will definitely write my review on this galaxy s4 craft.
It would be interesting to hear the opinion of visitors: did you buy Chinese copies of phones?
Update from 01/06/2014
The phone was received a couple of days ago.
First impressions are not bad: the appearance is 5, although the back cover of the phone is made of very thin and fragile plastic, it will withstand taking off and putting on a couple of times, but the risk of breaking it during such a procedure is high.
It's good that when I bought the phone, I immediately ordered the Flip Cover Case Galaxy S4 (book case with a window).
In the case, the back cover will be stronger.
I bought a Chinese Samsung Galaxy S4 on Aliexpress from this seller
Together with New Year's discounts, the phone cost 3,500 rubles (now it's already more expensive).
I liked the screen, a real 5-inch with a thin frame, viewing angles are not bad.
The processor is a 2-core mtk6577, far from the most modern, but there were no glitches behind it (it gives out 11000 in antutu).
Built-in memory is available a little more than 1 gigabyte, reads microsd memory cards without problems.
The battery lasted for 2 days, from the moment the phone was unpacked.
Wifi works well, it keeps the signal better than my Sony.
Well, now the cons:
- The camera is bad, even the sony ericsson k750, a long time ago, took better photos.
- The sound through the built-in speaker is satisfactory, but it is impossible to listen through the headphones.
- The phone understands air gestures, but the implementation is “crooked”
Basically, that's all. For the money, a very good phone, suitable for the role of a second phone. Convenient for the Internet, reading, watching videos from behind the screen.
« »Branded phone models and their Chinese copies
Well-known companies such as Apple, Samsung, HTC and others quite often release phone models that become branded. And their prestige lies not only in the high price, but, to a greater extent, from the excellent characteristics. Many users would like to have such models, but the main obstacle in this is the cost. In this case, we recommend that you buy a Chinese copy of famous brands.
A few years ago, such advice would have seemed ridiculous, but the appearance of cheap processors and other components puts Chinese copies on a par with their counterparts. At the same time, the price of phones manufactured by Chinese companies is several times lower.
Samsung Galaxy S4
Samsung Galaxy S4 i9500 is considered one of the prestigious devices. The Chinese copy of the Samsung Galaxy S4 looks no different from the expensive model. The case of the copy is made of high-quality plastic, the characteristics practically do not differ from the original. The exact copy of the Samsung Galaxy S4 completely repeats the size of the phone from Samsung, so all original accessories fit it exactly. A copy of the Galaxy S4 would be a great choice for a phone with the same functionality as the expensive model, only much cheaper.
Samsung Galaxy S5
The Samsung Galaxy S5 has received a lot of publicity lately. For many, its cost is simply prohibitive, and the Chinese copy of the Samsung Galaxy S5 is quite affordable. As you understand, a copy of the Samsung Galaxy S5 has characteristics that make it even outperform the original in some tests. One of the features of the Samsung Galaxy S5 is support for gesture control. Chinese copies of the Galaxy S5 have this feature, which works great.
Samsung Note 3
The Samsung Note 3 is a big, great model. The copy of the Samsung Note 3 has a big screen, like the original, with a size of 5.3 inches. The Chinese copy of Samsung Note 3 is built on the latest generation MTK6592 processor, which has 8 cores. The peculiarity of this processor is that it has all 8 cores working simultaneously. Unlike MTK6592, its expensive counterpart can only work with 4 cores, switching them as needed. The copy of Note 3 is made so well that even a specialist often cannot determine at a glance that this is a Chinese phone. The Chinese copy of Samsung Note 3 has excellent performance, easily solves all problems and allows you to play modern games without problems.
Where to choose and buy a Chinese copy of a branded phone?
Do you have a great desire to have a modern branded Samsung phone, but you can't afford it because of the high price? Contact an online store site that will offer you Chinese copies of modern phones. Here you can buy a copy of Samsung Note 3 in different versions and from different Chinese manufacturers. If you want to buy a copy of the Samsung Galaxy S5, then this model is also widely represented in the store's catalog. And if you prefer the Samsung Galaxy S4 and decide to buy a copy of it, you will simply be confused by the proposed assortment. Buying a Chinese copy of branded phones, you get a wonderful device with excellent features at an affordable price.
The topic of this article is hackneyed, but nevertheless, I would still like to touch it again, summing up the available information. The fact is that Chinese fakes of popular expensive smartphones are increasingly flooding the market. Some fakes are of high quality workmanship, almost identical in appearance, they can only be identified by trifles.
The market for fakes is online stores. The price for them is traditionally much lower - not a thousand rubles, but 2 or more times. This is the first thing that should immediately alert you.
Physical differences
Screen bezel. The original Galaxy S4 has a display that doesn't have a large bezel around it. Clones often have a large space between the display and the actual edge of the smartphone.
Slots in the case
Home button below the screen.
- The original Galaxy S4 has a perfectly white chrome-plated piece of plastic in the form of a home button, and it sits right in the middle of the space below the display. Clones often have a home button just below the screen, and sometimes the button even has a different look. Clones have problems with button placement. In the original version, it is placed exactly in the center of the bottom of the phone; in clones, the shift is 1-2mm.
- Front plastic color. A real Galaxy S4 may have several white colors. bluish tint in certain lighting, while the copy shows some kind of cold blue color, closer to gray-blue. Also pay attention to the size and matching of the eyes for the front camera, light sensors and indicators - they should be of different sizes. The Chinese are often the same.
- Opening the back panel. First of all, pay attention to the nameplate and the print quality and size of the Samsung logo on it. Pay attention to the location of the connectors and screws.
Pay attention to screws, plugs, stickers
Compare labels carefully
Left is original, right is fake.
Compare batteries:
Right fake
Hardware stuffing
Chinese clones are made on the basis of other chipsets and processors, have a more primitive screen matrix and camera. The original device uses a quad-core processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 APQ8064T, 1900 MHz (in older Exynos 5 Octa 5410 models). The video accelerator is the PowerVR SGX 544MP3 chip (Adreno 320 in the GT-I9505). The amount of RAM is 2 GB. In clones, cheap MTK or Richtek chips are most often used, less often Exynos.
You can study the hardware stuffing and detect it using test utilities CPU-Z, GPU-Z and AnTuTu Benchmark. The first two allow you to see the model of the processor and graphics core, respectively, and the last one allows you to test the performance. The performance of a real device is more than 28,000 points, the Chinese usually have less.
MTK processor and reduced amount of RAM visible in CPU-Z
- Dial *#0*#. If you get into the service menu, then either it is a very good fake (or an original device made for another region) or the original.
- You can also install programs Genuine Galaxy - Phone Info or Phone INFO ★Samsung★, which will show all the information about the filling of the body and even say whether it is genuine or not.
- Functions often do not work on clones NFC, gesture or eye control. Don't forget to check!
- As for the camera, the quality of the pictures is much lower, there is not a large set of settings, and, often, you cannot choose the quality and resolution of the photo.
Software
Of course, the clone runs on a very similar custom Android, but the version is not the same. Original comes with Android 4.2.2 ( Jelly Bean), while in the information Build number (Build number) you can see the mismatch between the number and the name of the OS version. In addition, the original device comes with a proprietary shell TouchWiz 5.0 (Nature UX), which is "visible to the eye".
On the right, a very high-quality fake is shown with the substitution of IMEI and the serial number of the device. Only the OS version is different - 4.2.9
And here the OS version is correct, but the Build number gives a fake:
Build number contains Gingerbread, which corresponds to Android 2.3 OS. At the same time, the OS version written above is correct. A good fake.
And here we see a fake Baseband version (version of the communication module):
Here the guys did not take a steam bath and instead of an inscription like I9505XXUFNA1, we see the pale name of the processor :)
Note : also, an indirect way of checking can be a comparison IMEI and serial number devices. At least, IMEI on the box, in the firmware and on the nameplates must match. Dial *#06# and you will see the IMEI on the screen. You can check the authenticity of IMEI on the website http://www.imei.info/ or by calling Samsung technical support.
Even if the IMEI turns out to be genuine (Samsung released a device of such a model with such an IMEI for a particular region), this does not mean that the device is genuine. The fact is that the Chinese have learned to flash real, but stolen IMEI and serial numbers into their firmware. So such a check cannot be considered complete.
