Game Of Clones (How to Check for Clones)

A disease has hit Nairobi like a plague, a virus so bad it has made everyone scrambling to get big devices, a disease we choose to call Big Screen Syndrome.

A quick stroll along Moi avenue points out the obvious, everyone in Nairobi wants a smartphone and not just any smartphone, people want the best brands and the biggest display screens. This has in turn created a market for clones and fake phones.

Here is how to check for clones.

iPhone 6

The current flagship model for Apple the iphone 6 currently retails at around Ksh 98,000 but the clone is only around Ksh 16,000. 82,000 difference. Most important to note is that the clone runs on Android and not IOS which is iphones operating system. So the pricing and Platform (android/IOS) will guide you on this one. Also iPhone’s should be metallic and most clones are plastic.

Samsung Galaxy S6

Samsung’s latest flagship model was released on the 15th April this year but to note is that its clone was here way before it was released. The original costs Ksh 74,000 and the clone is a meager Ksh 18,000 a Ksh 56,000 difference. Samsung is the most cloned smartphone in the world partly because it runs on android that is open-sourced. In Nairobi you will come across “samsung” “samsang” “somesang” or just plain Samsung. The clones often match the original in most features except the RAM, Internal Storage and Internet connectivity (most clones dont support 3G). The real S6 has a glass back cover while the clone is plastic. Also check for screen resolution which is amazing on the real, software speed (faster) and the camera which is supposed to be the best. Also the box of the real S6 should have a sticker with IMEI.

HTC ONE

This is arguably the 3rd best smartphone in the world and the best designed smartphone. Its flagship model the M8 costs Ksh 70,000 and the clone is around Ksh 10,500. The most common clone is called X-BO v6. The X-Bo is not branded though hence you should check for the “HTC” logo as well as the beats by dre print. All the other features remain the same with slight variations in RAM and Camera.

Sony Xperia Z3

Sony’s Flagship model is a beauty and the first waterproof smartphone on this list, not the same can be said about its clones though. The original z3 which was released on September 19th Last year retails at Ksh 52,000 while its clone dubbed the (Star Z3) comes in at Ksh 19,000. The differences are on RAM, Camera and its speed in general. The Z3 however is the phone with the least clones in this list even though its running on android (open source) also the clone is not branded “SONY” but features are exact.

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Verdict: Clones are temporary and will serve you a few months, originals are collectors items and an experience.

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