this s2 a friend asked me to root, wont go to recovery or into downloading mode, it doesnt install any drivers for kies to work, and it generally runs terribly with many fc's and random app opens when untouched.
first thins i noticed is its in 4.0.9 yet the gingerbread easteregg comes up when i tap the version box.
it says cutom build version 1339055982 baseband i9100XXKI3
also the only thing i can get it to do is the triangle error exclamation mark when pressing vol+ home and power. but this does nothing,
apon close inspection on the back i found it actualy has some tape covering when looks like a spare simcard port.......wtf? i then noticed other things such as the micro sd just slides in,,... it does push-click in like on other devices,
ive uploaded a pic to show you can just faintly see through the tape and see where it says gsm under the tape and has a spare port next to the camera lens.
one other thing to note, i can see right through the back, its a white case. but i can see through it and see the battery,. surely it must be a fake?
Hey chismay,
from what I see i believe you got yourself a chinese GS2 fake. This is what i found about that phone: Due to xda-dev rules i can't post the link at the moment, but its the first result you find after googling "d918gsmh".
Basically its a cheap Android phone with a 650MHz CPU.
Use Google translator if you don't speak fluent russian, and I hope I could help you.
So long,
TheNacho
chismay said:
one other thing to note, i can see right through the back, its a white case. but i can see through it and see the battery,. surely it must be a fake?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know about the phone but the battery is definitely fake. It looks terrible lol.
Comparing this to the original white phone I have here, I'll list the differences I see.
Black screws - original uses silver
no lines in the plastic around the camera
really cheap looking battery
not even a Sammy-Logo on the phone sticker
the original model number is I9100GSMH
obviously a fake mate, looks nothing like my s2 when i pop out battery cover..
Basically its a cheap Android phone with a 650MHz CPU.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i second that
It is tottaly a fake s2 ..Sorry , man see here is the model stated on the phone http://www.tinydeal.com/3tft-mobile-phone-double-band-gsm-dual-sim-d918-p-297.html
http://www.mymobile.co.in/review/idea-d-918-review-idea-3g-phone-price/
thanks for the replies guys i think we can confirm this is a fake, a good one but a fake . it fooled me, i did notice the poor sdcard port instantly. just goes to show...check your hardware
thanks again
Tefanym said:
It is tottaly a fake s2 ..Sorry , man see here is the model stated on the phone http://www.tinydeal.com/3tft-mobile-phone-double-band-gsm-dual-sim-d918-p-297.html
http://www.mymobile.co.in/review/idea-d-918-review-idea-3g-phone-price/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah i think the buggers just stuck one o those in an s2 case and stuck a leaked ics rom on it, ..... oh well not mine so who gives a crap lmao, i wouldnt buy i phone with tape holding it together lol
Related
Hi,
I have a Galaxy S3 that does not switch on, or charge. Full disclosure; I bought it second hand in full cognisance of this fact*, but I really thought it was a software glitch or something I could fix with a hard reset. The reason for this is the guy I bought it from swears blind it's not water-damaged, which I've verified by checking the moisture sensors. So, I tried a hardware reset (volume up+power button+home button) but nothing. So, does anyone know what it could be other than water-damage**?
*Yes, I'm aware it was stupid. But it was really cheap, and I have very poor impulse control. I'm like a cat, you can't dangle something like that in front of me and not expect me to pounce on it ;p
**Screen appears to be in perfect condition.
Take the battery out and look at the model number....im worried your the victim of a chinese dud!
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
Nope, it's got Samung logos and all that; it says the SSN is I9300GSMH, which as far as I'm aware is the real deal. I've also checked the IMEI, and it corresponds to a real SGS3. So what is wrong with it?
SillyQuestionTime said:
Nope, it's got Samung logos and all that; it says the SSN is I9300GSMH, which as far as I'm aware is the real deal. I've also checked the IMEI, and it corresponds to a real SGS3. So what is wrong with it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
May seem silly, but have you tried another battery?
That is my next move. Ordered one, hasn't shown yet. Presuming it doesn't work, what are my other options?
SillyQuestionTime said:
That is my next move. Ordered one, hasn't shown yet. Presuming it doesn't work, what are my other options?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Might try a usb JIG to force it into download mode
SillyQuestionTime said:
Nope, it's got Samung logos and all that; it says the SSN is I9300GSMH, which as far as I'm aware is the real deal. I've also checked the IMEI, and it corresponds to a real SGS3. So what is wrong with it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As previously discussed in another thread, the chinese fakes look the real deal, all branding, samsung logos, model numbers etc match up to actual s3 devices, but the hardware is fake 540x960 display, 512mb ram etc....seriously worth looking into buddy
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
Impossible to tell unless it switches on though.
I've compared it to the (apparently) real S3 in this video, and while everything seems to match up with mine, one thing is the microSD card slot and SIM tray have weird blue windows in them, which looks a bit suspicious. Did anyone else's phone arrive with these? It looks like they're replacements.
I don't want to sound too depressing but some of us have had our phones completely die for no reason after a few months. Mine's currently at the service centre and others who have had theirs back say that the circuit board was replaced. Mine didn't get wet, or dropped, it just stopped working.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
That *is* mildly depressing but if it comes to that I suppose all I can do is return it or sell it on as spares, try to get the money back :/ (all while hoping it *is* genuine)
(The circuit boards are really expensive to replace, also.)
Update: (like anyone's interested, but anyway) got my USB jig today, plugged it in following the method on this forum, but nothing. Not really surprised tbh.
Going to try a new battery next, but seriously doubt it'll come back to life at this stage. Thanks for the suggestions and comments anyway, and if any users have anything not covered already, just post it below. Thnx
Thought I'd update this again to report the lack of success of a battery switch....again, not really surprising.
I also need to reiterate the point that mine arrived with what looks like a replacement SIM tray/sdcard slot rig, such as those you see on eBay. I'm not sure whether to take this as suspicious or...what, and am now just ready to give up entirely on the phone. Any advice before I do this would be welcome
Do you mean those translucent blue stickers on the sim and micro sd slots? My phone came back from the service centre with these too (which definitely weren't there when I took it in)
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
SillyQuestionTime said:
Hi,
I have a Galaxy S3 that does not switch on, or charge. Full disclosure; I bought it second hand in full cognisance of this fact*, but I really thought it was a software glitch or something I could fix with a hard reset. The reason for this is the guy I bought it from swears blind it's not water-damaged, which I've verified by checking the moisture sensors. So, I tried a hardware reset (volume up+power button+home button) but nothing. So, does anyone know what it could be other than water-damage**?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think your motherboard is fried.
Its happed a lot the last weeks.
Only thing you can do is go to a reparation serves center for a replacement.
Isadora said:
Do you mean those translucent blue stickers on the sim and micro sd slots? My phone came back from the service centre with these too (which definitely weren't there when I took it in)
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have bought a brand new unlock phone from a samsung store and have also the blue stickers.
It's normal.
Sometimes they are removed en sometimes thy leave them on.
Hi guys I was having issues connecting my new SII to my att network. I checked the imei using the *#06# and it came back with the generic samsung imei of 00499010640000. When I went to check behind the battery cover it also showed the same imei printed there.
This seems shady as I know that imei is the generic samsung imei when the efs folder gets corrupted. It is worrysome to see the same imei on the back of the phone as I think this means this phone is fake or a prototype.
I bought the phone on ebay from a chinese seller and I've already been refunded my money and told to keep the device by ebay since it doesn't work and they also believe it is fake.
What are your thoughts? The phone never connects to 3g but it will connect over gprs and load pages. However it won't make calls. Very strange. By the way I've flashed stock gb ics and jb and they all work with exception of the modem.
Thanks
Can ypu post more info on this device?
Remove battery, SD and SIM card and take a picture. Also screenshot about screen and the device's box.
Sent from my digital submersible hovercraft.
f-r said:
Can ypu post more info on this device?
Remove battery, SD and SIM card and take a picture. Also screenshot about screen and the device's box.
Sent from my digital submersible hovercraft.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here is the battery label and the device information. Any help would be appreciated.
Looks like a legit I9100 phone to me.
Post more pics and let"s check it out.
Sent from the little guy
Wrong, My bad
inurb said:
Here is the battery label and the device information. Any help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting... This is a second time someone is posting a photo of this design (battery terminals on the left side, SD card is by the SIM, antenna connector is in a different place) that doesn't look like the "standard" i9100. And both times there are questions about the IMEI...
This is the other topic: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2151566
If it's a knock off it's a good knock off.
Tha IMEI sure looks bogus.
Sent from the little guy
gastonw said:
If it's a knock off it's a good knock off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It sure looks like it, but the IMEI in this case is most definitely not the valid production one...
inurb said:
Here is the battery label and the device information. Any help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
could we have a full front and back pic??
Yeah, it's generic.
Sent from the little guy
Bro the imei is fake http://www.imei.info
gastonw said:
Yeah, it's generic.
Sent from the little guy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This was meant for the post above yours.
Sent from the little guy
Is there any way I can restore the original good imei of this phone in order to make the phone work? Or is this just a knock off phone that will never function?
Thanks
Jgjd691995 said:
could we have a full front and back pic??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's a back pic the front looks like an original s2 as well. Flash was too shiny for the front pic to come out clear.
I don't think it's a knock off, looks legit.
Sent from the little guy
gastonw said:
I don't think it's a knock off, looks legit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't have to be a knock-off... But it could be some sort of a prototype or a development model. There is no way in hell this phone is from a regular production run - not with the IMEI sticker like this. And the hardware design differences are quite significant from a standard i9100. True, all manufacturers always leave their options open to change the specs or design without notice, but how many people have actually seen this variant IRL or even on the photos? "Fake" or not, this is definitely an oddball...
Could this be the chinese variant of the gt i 9100?
kt-Froggy said:
It doesn't have to be a knock-off... But it could be some sort of a prototype or a development model. There is no way in hell this phone is from a regular production run - not with the IMEI sticker like this. And the hardware design differences are quite significant from a standard i9100. True, all manufacturers always leave their options open to change the specs or design without notice, but how many people have actually seen this variant IRL or even on the photos? "Fake" or not, this is definitely an oddball...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True.
inurb said:
Could this be the chinese variant of the gt i 9100?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't think so.
Sent from the little guy
So what do I do now with a GSII that can't connect to a GSM network? Do I just have an mp3 player now? lol
Is it possible to fix this phone?
You could but you won't, it's not strictly legal.
You've been refunded so keep that device and do whatever you want with it, who knows, maybe you'll need some parts one day.
Now focus on getting an I9100, the real thing
You could also contact samsung and see what they have to say about a what-is-seems-to-be legit I9100 with a generic IMEI (Branded under the battery).
Sent from the little guy
Hi guys,
i've a hard question for you.
I've a GS3 (GT-I9300) of a friend of mine buyed in Thailand.
A little crafty friend of my friend has installed a "strange" ROM. In the device information shows a Version 4.1.9 but in Version build shows GINGERBREAD (see figure 1)
The device is very slow, it seems a Galaxy Gio. Kies doesn't recognize it. If i try to put the phone in "Download mode" (volume down+home+power) it shows what you see in the figure 2. If i try the sequence (volume up+home+power) it shows (figure 3) a pseudo fastboot mode.
What can i do to install an original rom? Odin doesn't recognize it.
Thanks in advance.
Mirko
In all honesty that looks like a fake/clone to me
I don't think because i had a GS3 and it seems perfectly equal. There's a way to understand if it's a clone?
It may not be a clone but it is running a fake version of android. Well not fake but not official. This happens alot with devices from that part of the world. I am betting that if you were to change the rom it would brick as most of those devices also come with a locked bootloader. If that is the case there is nothing you can do about it.
Unreal_73 said:
I don't think because i had a GS3 and it seems perfectly equal. There's a way to understand if it's a clone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think your best bet it to ask your "mate" exactly what he flashed onto your phone....but as far as I know 4.1.9 doesn't exist
slaphead20 said:
I think your best bet it to ask your "mate" exactly what he flashed onto your phone....but as far as I know 4.1.9 doesn't exist
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are many unofficial versions of android floating around Asia. This is most likely one of them.
Also go into task manager and see how much total Ram there is
Uhmm...after a hard reset, it shows me 191 Mb used and 247 Mb free.....i begin to think this is a clone...or the firmware can't show me the right values.
Unreal_73 said:
Uhmm...after a hard reset, it shows me 191 Mb used and 247 Mb free.....i begin to think this is a clone...or the firmware can't show me the right values.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your most likely right. Its a clone. Clones are known for having almost no ram.
Wayne Tech S-III
Unreal_73 said:
Hi guys,
i've a hard question for you.
I've a GS3 (GT-I9300) of a friend of mine buyed in Thailand.
A little crafty friend of my friend has installed a "strange" ROM. In the device information shows a Version 4.1.9 but in Version build shows GINGERBREAD (see figure 1)
The device is very slow, it seems a Galaxy Gio. Kies doesn't recognize it. If i try to put the phone in "Download mode" (volume down+home+power) it shows what you see in the figure 2. If i try the sequence (volume up+home+power) it shows (figure 3) a pseudo fastboot mode.
What can i do to install an original rom? Odin doesn't recognize it.
Thanks in advance.
Mirko
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
slaphead20 said:
In all honesty that looks like a fake/clone to me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
zelendel said:
Your most likely right. Its a clone. Clones are known for having almost no ram.
Wayne Tech S-III
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does a clone seems perfectly equal to the original??? With label Samsung, serial no. Samsung??
Unreal_73 said:
Does a clone seems perfectly equal to the original??? With label Samsung, serial no. Samsung??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes that is nothing out of the ordinary. Mainly if its a clone from china as there are no copyright laws there. They can slap any name they want on it and the numbers are easily gotten and added to the system. When buying electronics one has to be very careful
Wayne Tech S-III
Unreal_73 said:
Does a clone seems perfectly equal to the original??? With label Samsung, serial no. Samsung??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well that is the point of a clone....to dupe people into parting with their money, so obviously they will try their best to copy.....tell you what, take off your back cover and post a photo of the back if you can, that usually gives the game away
slaphead20 said:
Well that is the point of a clone....to dupe people into parting with their money, so obviously they will try their best to copy.....tell you what, take off your back cover and post a photo of the back if you can, that usually gives the game away
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, here is a photo.
Done a compare, looks like a good fake to me, here's differences I spotted
slaphead20 said:
Done a compare, looks like a good fake to me, here's differences I spotted
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't remember how was it done
The funniest thing will tell my friend that is a fake
Hi to all...
I'm from India. I sell my Galaxy R & buy Imported Unlocked Galaxy S II but after I open its Made in Korea and its custom Jelly Bean installed & when I press power 1 time display is off but not mobile not lock and if I press long time its switch off directly, No given any option to switch off or restart or anything or when I plug charger its show charger plug but not given any information to how much charge is done but OS is very fast but I don't like this OS. Pls tell me if I want to install official Gingerbread or Jelly Bean then its possible? May I go Samsung Service Centre and hey can install me official firmware in Korean made S II? After install its lock or unlock?
Now some issue. I 1st used Galaxy R and then Galaxy S II, When I press right side back button in Galaxy R light are on but same key when I press in Galaxy S II (White color) lights are also on but not only right or left 2 button lights are on Screen upper,right & left side, is it problem or its galaxy S II normal natural? Galaxy S II Indian version microSD slot same like Galaxy R but my this Korean vesion Galaxy S II microSD slot is Sim slot and Slim slot down slot is microsd slot, is it normal?
I buy Original Samsung Galaxy S II? This mobile is fast and camera is good & Galaxy R is also very good mobile but I upgrade for 3 reason, 1- Gorilla Glass Display, 2- AMOLED screen & 3- TV Out.
Please instruct me that how can I check its Original Samsung Galaxy S II or not? How can I check its AMOLED with Gorilla Glass display or not?
Please give me some information and answer... Pls Pls Pls right now I'm very tens...
I know I'm in right place cause XDA is GOD of ANDROID user...
Post your phone info (about phone > screenshot) and take a pic of the back without the battery and of course cover your IMEI.
let's see what you got there.
Sent from...this is not even my S2
gastonw said:
Post your phone info (about phone > screenshot) and take a pic of the back without the battery and of course cover your IMEI.
let's see what you got there.
Sent from...this is not even my S2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please see the information and give me some answer and advice...
Thanks
gulu20072010 said:
Please see the information and give me some answer and advice...
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
its the international version of Galaxy S2 (I9100) u have, so no issue with the phone as such
If u want an Indian JB firmware installed for now then, just approach a nearest samsung service center and request for the same
Ok well it says it's an i9100. And that it's running LSJ, which is official Samsung. But you say it's running custom? I don't get it.... As far as sim placement goes, yours is in the normal spot. I'm not sure what you were trying to day about the sd card, but the back of it looks fine.
As far as seeing it you have a real deal or not, run some benchmarks (quadrant, antutu) on it and let's see how it performs.
Sent from my GT-I9100: Powered by Dorimanx, running RootBox
Sun90 said:
its the international version of Galaxy S2 (I9100) u have, so no issue with the phone as such
If u want an Indian JB firmware installed for now then, just approach a nearest samsung service center and request for the same
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sir, many may thanks but pls give me one information that how can I check that its AMOLED screen n Gorilla Glass display or complete hardware check? There is any software for check those?
gulu20072010 said:
Sir, many may thanks but pls give me one information that how can I check that its AMOLED screen n Gorilla Glass display or complete hardware check? There is any software for check those?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol, all galaxy S2 comes with Amoled screen and gorilla glass display only
if u want a confirmation on the same then just visit a nearest Samsung Service center and get clarified about ur issue
Sun90 said:
Lol, all galaxy S2 comes with Amoled screen and gorilla glass display only
if u want a confirmation on the same then just visit a nearest Samsung Service center and get clarified about ur issue
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No no I sir I know all Samsung galaxy S II AMOLED DISPLAY AND GORILLA Glass display but I if seller change the display with duplicate screen & thats why I asked.
Yes, it is officially Jelly bean cause I go and app store and want to install screen capture but it says that the app worked only an rooted device and when I installed and run the app the sayed its not rooted device...
But I can't understand that if its not rooted OS then where is go power button screen lock option or power button press long time then its show power off menu?
Any one suggest me where is the option?
You can do what Sun90 says,or see if you know someone that has a proper s2 and compare the quality of the displays.
For all anyone knows,since youve not mentioned much about the phone,maybe its 2nd hand with a replacement crappy/cheap lcd fitted.
And are you saying you have no power menu/lockscreen?
If so root then read about "keystr" lol
-------------------------------------------
maybe your an iphone expert
------------------------------------------
98% it's a fake.
Run benchmarks, they'll be low scoring.
Notice that the front samsung logo is missing and the sd card slot is as well gone.
Sent from...this is not even my S2
gastonw said:
98% it's a fake.
Run benchmarks, they'll be low scoring.
Notice that the front samsung logo is missing and the sd card slot is as well gone.
Sent from...this is not even my S2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sir, I installed AnTuTu and run test and the score is :
Total : 9631
RAM : 1325
CPU Integer : 1448
CPU float : 1154
2D Graphics : 1176
3D Graphics : 3915
Database IO : 395
SD Card write : 78
SD Card read : 140
Is it low score or its fine? Sir I usedn this mobile after Galaxy R and my experience is its truly better speed then my ex Galaxy R and U can't get my SD card slot point, that SD card slot exactly down in SIM slot, mean Upper side SIM slot then next down place for SD card,if U plug SD card then U cant see the card cause SD card upper portion is SIM slot. Hope U can understand what I say?
Hopper8 said:
Ok well it says it's an i9100. And that it's running LSJ, which is official Samsung. But you say it's running custom? I don't get it.... As far as sim placement goes, yours is in the normal spot. I'm not sure what you were trying to day about the sd card, but the back of it looks fine.
As far as seeing it you have a real deal or not, run some benchmarks (quadrant, antutu) on it and let's see how it performs.
Sent from my GT-I9100: Powered by Dorimanx, running RootBox
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Memory slot exactly sim slot down side & I think its official os but I have some minor issue. My power button option, when I press 1 time display off like when device are lock buts its not work just diplay and when I press power button long time its going to switch off, where is the power menu option and lock option in power button, I can't find, even when I go settings lock option and I enable automatic lock after 15 second with password protection and other option but the result is same thats it not going to lock and this is very big problem for me and I think its os prob so I go samsung service center and want install gingerbread and engineer say ur already updated and now if you want to downgrade then its possible to device is going death... I can't understand.. Is it true? If I want to downgrade the then its possible that mobile death chances is possible? I don't why engineer say that?
When I used wallpaper frame gadget its working fine but after some time its not change wallpaper automatic or when I restart and after restart wallpaper frame always need new setting, I don't know why? And another prob in the OS that many ringtone in 1 folder and when I want to play then its play 1 ringtone but the name is next ringtone. I don't waht to do and thats why I want to downgrade to gingerbread and 1 thing that FM Radio not working and all other working is like charm.
Is it possible to downgrade to Official Jelly Bean to Official Gingerbread? 1 senior user says that its global version so can I install Indian gingerbread version in my mobile? Their is any risk with it?
May I install Official Gingerbread manually if yes then pls give me some information about that or pls give some solution for Jelly Bean OS.
Thanks.
Hope U understand what I mean?
I wouldn't flash anything on that device.
Why? Because I think that you've been handed a fake vessel with an original motherboard.
There shouldn't be any risk on flashing but won't you agree that you should get the real thing instead of this?
Sent from...this is not even my S2
gulu20072010 said:
Please see the information and give me some answer and advice...
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Battery connector is on the wrong side and the external connector to the antenna is positioned wrong. Even the logo to the SIM card is missing, then microsd logo is also missing. If I compare (I have a Samsung GT-I9100) so lacking even some small parts in plastic chassis.
You're late, we've been thru this already.
Sent from the little guy
gastonw said:
You're late, we've been thru this already.
Sent from the little guy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know, just want to say that it does not resemble my s2 which is bought in Sweden.
It resembles to knock offs devices.
Sent from...this is not even my S2
jimic said:
Battery connector is on the wrong side and the external connector to the antenna is positioned wrong. Even the logo to the SIM card is missing, then microsd logo is also missing. If I compare (I have a Samsung GT-I9100) so lacking even some small parts in plastic chassis.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sir, thanks for your kind attention and really thanks. I know that there is some different but the seller mentioned me all of this but seller also told that its Genuine Samsung S2 and I believe. I check all over the internet or app to find is it original or duplicate but finally I know that its true that this is Original but I don't know why some different some places of chips? Its Genuine AMOLED Screen and camera 8mp, front 2mp and I installed Official Indian Gingerbread and its totally working fine and all are working like charm..
Thanks all of junior/senior member for your attention.
Now this threat is TERMINATED!
gulu20072010 said:
Sir, thanks for your kind attention and really thanks. I know that there is some different but the seller mentioned me all of this but seller also told that its Genuine Samsung S2 and I believe. I check all over the internet or app to find is it original or duplicate but finally I know that its true that this is Original but I don't know why some different some places of chips? Its Genuine AMOLED Screen and camera 8mp, front 2mp and I installed Official Indian Gingerbread and its totally working fine and all are working like charm..
Thanks all of junior/senior member for your attention.
Now this threat is TERMINATED!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay there you go! Apparently, there are many different models of the s2. But it's good you've got it verified.:good:
Hi everyone! Today I finally decided to register in this great community, mainly because I'm looking for help and you are the ones that can help me.
I'm Henry and as the title says, I've hold and played with a Samsung Galaxy S3 running nothing more than Gingerbread. Why and how were my first questions when I first saw it, but I haven't been able to answer that.
This is the story: a friend of mine was given that GS3 hoping that he could solve the stuttering and lagging that it had (has) after a professor of him took it to a "technician". He, being the Android lover he is became surprised, so he came to me yesterday hoping that we could bring things back to normal (install stock jelly bean), but with no avail. That "thing" has the stock recovery and is not rooted, things we found EXTREMELY weird. We spent three hours trying to root it and then install a new recovery using different tools (gingerbreak, odin, odin mobile [we realized odin mobile needs root permissions to work, but still], samsung kies, universal_gb_root, framaroot) but you guessed: nothing worked. The only thing we didn't use was SuperOneClick. We couldn't put it into download mode and when we connected it to the pc, it didn't appeared as "adb interface" or "android composite device" but appeared with another strange name that had nothing to do with samsung or android, I can't recall the name of it right now. The other things we found was that the GS3 was showing that the internal storage was just 200mb, when it's a phone with "16"gb of storage, and that the battery says SAMSONG instead of SAMSUNG.
Long story short: it was an international, unlocked Samsung Galaxy GS3 i9300 running Gingerbread. My friend got it because a professor of him wanted he to fix it because after she took it to a "technician" it was very laggy. It was not rooted, it has stock android recovery (useless) and odin won't recognize it.
Do you guys have any effing idea of what is going on and how can we fix it?
We have three hypothesis: 1) they swapped her phone with a chinese knockoff (an extremely identical and functional knockoff); 2) they swapped the GS3's hard drive; 3) they didn't know what they were doing and installed Gingerbread instead of Jelly Bean (yup, sounds unlikely).
Thank you very much for yor help and attention!
Before getting halfway through your post, I decided you were talking about a clone/ knock-off
rootSU said:
Before getting halfway through your post, I decided you were talking about a clone/ knock-off
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Then it's an extremely accurate clone. It has the samsung's boot animation, sounds, everything!
henry-gz said:
Then it's an extremely accurate clone. It has the samsung's boot animation, sounds, everything!
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They all do. These things you listed are the easiest things to "clone". In fact, since they live in software, they could easily have been ripped out of the official firmware. A friend of mine (willingly) bought a Note 2 clone. It even has the annoying whistle notification.
It's not that accurate a clone though, if it comes with gingerbread, which the S3 never came with.
rootSU said:
They all do. These things you listed are the easiest things to "clone". In fact, since they live in software, they could easily have been ripped out of the official firmware. A friend of mine (willingly) bought a Note 2 clone. It even has the annoying whistle notification.
It's not that accurate a clone though, if it comes with gingerbread, which the S3 never came with.
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Well, you do have great points. Even so, is there something we can do about it? Besides give the police a heads up?
henry-gz said:
is there something we can do about it?
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You need to prove 2 things.
1) It is a fake
2) It was not a fake before
2 is quite easy if it was supplied form an official network / carrier / provider store. 1 will involve screenshots of the about phone area and some physical shots as well as some info gained from this app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cpuid.cpu_z&hl=en
rootSU said:
You need to prove 2 things.
1) It is a fake
2) It was not a fake before
2 is quite easy if it was supplied form an official network / carrier / provider store. 1 will involve screenshots of the about phone area and some physical shots as well as some info gained from this app: https: //play. google. com/store/apps/details?id=com. cpuid.cpu_z&hl=en
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Okay, I'll try to find that out asap and then I'll post the update here. Thank you very much for your help!
henry-gz said:
Okay, I'll try to find that out asap and then I'll post the update here. Thank you very much for your help!
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You're welcome. Please let me know how you get on,
Easiest way to tell a clone is to take the back off and compare side by side with a genuine s3, the shape of the inner mouldings, position of sim and sd readers is very hard to exactly match during the reverse engineering process.
But the gingerbread and lack of download mode is conclusive in itself.
Check the imei and serial numbers on the original phone packaging against the imei of the handset you hold, if they are the same then your friend bought a clone.