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The Huaweii P50 Pro: Genuine vs. Fake Phones Flooding the Kenyan Market

The Huawei P50 Pro, launched in July 2021 by Huawei, is a flagship smartphone renowned for its advanced camera system, featuring a 50 MP main camera with Leica optics, a 6.6-inch OLED display, and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 4G chipset. Its premium design and photography prowess have made it popular in Kenya, where smartphone adoption is high, with over 64.67 million mobile devices in use by September 2023, according to the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA). However, the Kenyan market has been flooded with counterfeit versions, often branded as the “Huaweii P50 Pro” or similar misspellings, designed to deceive buyers by mimicking the original’s appearance. These fakes exploit Huawei’s brand reputation and the phone’s high-end appeal. This article explores why fake Huaweii P50 Pro phones are flooding Kenya, what distinguishes them from the genuine Huawei P50 Pro, how they compare, their respective prices and purchase options, and why consumers should avoid counterfeit devices.

Why Fake Huaweii P50 Pro Phones Are Flooding the Kenyan Market

The proliferation of counterfeit phones in Kenya is a significant issue, with the CA estimating that 30–40% of mobile phones in the country are fake. Several factors contribute to the flood of fake Huaweii P50 Pro devices:

1. High Demand for Premium Smartphones: The genuine Huawei P50 Pro, retailing at around KSh 129,500, offers flagship features like a top-tier camera and sleek design, making it desirable. Counterfeiters exploit this by offering fakes at drastically lower prices (e.g., KSh 10,000–30,000), targeting budget-conscious consumers seeking a premium brand.
2. Unregulated Marketplaces: Informal channels like street vendors, unlicensed retailers, and online platforms such as Facebook Marketplace or Instagram lack strict oversight, enabling scammers to sell fakes. Listings for “Huaweii” or “Huwaei” devices are common, often with convincing photos.
3. Sophisticated Counterfeiting: Modern fakes closely resemble genuine phones, featuring cloned packaging, fake IMEI numbers, and Android-based software skinned to mimic Huawei’s EMUI or HarmonyOS. Misspellings like “Huaweii” or “Huwawei” are used to evade legal scrutiny while appearing legitimate.
4. Huawei’s Market Presence: Despite U.S. sanctions limiting Google Mobile Services and 5G support, Huawei remains a trusted brand in Kenya, particularly for its camera-focused devices. Scammers leverage this trust by producing fakes that mimic the P50 Pro’s iconic dual-circle camera design.

What Makes a Fake Huaweii P50 Pro Fake?

Fake Huaweii P50 Pro phones are designed to deceive but are plagued by inferior components and deceptive features. Based on patterns observed in counterfeit phones in Kenya and Huawei’s own guidance, here are the key characteristics:

1. Inferior Hardware:
   • Processor: The genuine P50 Pro uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 4G (5 nm) or Kirin 9000 (in some regions), offering flagship performance. Fakes typically use low-end chipsets like the MediaTek MT6580, resulting in sluggish performance and app incompatibility.
   • Camera: The authentic model features a 50 MP (wide) + 40 MP (monochrome) + 13 MP (ultra-wide) + 64 MP (periscope telephoto) quad-camera system with Leica optics, capable of 200x zoom. Counterfeits often have low-resolution cameras (5–12 MP) with poor image quality, lacking advanced features like Night Mode or periscope zoom.
   • Display: The genuine phone has a 6.6-inch OLED display with 1228×2700 resolution, 120 Hz refresh rate, and 450 ppi, supporting 1.07 billion colors. Fakes use cheaper LCD screens with lower resolution, thicker bezels, and poor color accuracy.
   • Build Quality: The original has a glass front and back with an aluminum frame, IP68 water/dust resistance, and weighs 195g. Fakes use low-grade plastic or thin metal, often lighter (under 180g), with uneven seams, no water resistance, and a non-standard charging port (e.g., micro-USB instead of USB-C).
2. Software Deception:
   • Fake P50 Pro phones run a modified Android OS with a counterfeit EMUI 12 skin mimicking Huawei’s interface. They lack features like Huawei’s AppGallery, Petal Search, or AI-enhanced photography modes and may include pre-installed apps that indicate malware.
   • The absence of Google Mobile Services (GMS) on genuine Huawei phones is mirrored in fakes, but fakes fail to offer Huawei’s alternatives like AppGallery, instead relying on unverified APK sources. Settings may reveal outdated Android versions (e.g., Android 10) or non-standard options.
3. Packaging and Branding:
   • Counterfeit boxes feature misspellings (e.g., “Huaweii” or “Huwaei”), incorrect fonts, pixelated logos, or missing QR codes for authenticity verification. The IMEI on the box may not match the phone’s or may be invalid.
   • Fake devices have poorly printed logos, misaligned camera modules, or non-functional dual-circle camera designs that are purely decorative. Accessories like chargers are low-quality, often using micro-USB instead of Huawei’s 66W SuperCharge USB-C.
4. Battery and Connectivity:
   • The genuine P50 Pro has a 4360 mAh battery with 66W wired and 50W wireless SuperCharge, offering over 24 hours of use. Fakes often have smaller batteries (e.g., 3000 mAh) that drain quickly, lack fast/wireless charging, and may use micro-USB ports.
   • Counterfeits typically support only 2G or 3G networks, unlike the original’s 4G LTE and Wi-Fi 6 capabilities, and have unreliable Bluetooth or GPS.
5. No Official Support:
   • Genuine Huawei phones come with a warranty and access to authorized service centers like Carlcare. Fakes lack warranties, software updates, or service networks, as “Huaweii” is not a registered brand.

Comparison: Genuine Huawei P50 Pro vs. Fake Huaweii P50 Pro

Prices and Where to Buy

Genuine Huawei P50 Pro

• Price: Approximately $990–$1350 USD (~KSh 129,500–KSh 175,000), depending on configuration (8GB/128GB, 8GB/256GB, or 12GB/512GB) and retailer. Prices in Kenya vary due to taxes and import duties, with some listings starting at KSh 129,500 for 8GB/128GB.
• Where to Buy:
  • Jumia Kenya: Offers genuine Huawei phones from authorized sellers with buyer protection. https://www.jumia.co.ke/huawei-p50-pro/
  • Phone Place Kenya: A trusted retailer for Huawei smartphones with warranties. https://www.phoneplacekenya.com/product/huawei-p50-pro/
  • Mobile Hub Kenya: Stocks genuine Huawei phones with delivery options. https://www.mobilehub.co.ke/huawei-p50-pro/
  • Huawei Kenya Official Website: Lists authorized retailers and service centers. https://consumer.huawei.com/ke/
  • Avechi Kenya: Offers competitive pricing and in-store pickup in Nairobi. https://avechi.co.ke/product/huawei-p50-pro/

Fake Huaweii P50 Pro

• Price: Approximately $80–$230 USD (~KSh 10,400–KSh 30,000), sold through unregulated channels or dubious online listings.
• Where to Buy:
  • Alibaba: Lists unbranded or counterfeit smartphones, often with misspellings like “Huaweii.” https://www.alibaba.com/
  • Facebook Marketplace: Common in Kenya for fake phone sales, often under deceptive claims like “ex-China stock.”
  • AliExpress: May sell clones with vague branding, sometimes not disclosing their counterfeit nature. https://www.aliexpress.com/
  • Unregulated Local Shops: Street vendors or unlicensed stores in areas like Luthuli Avenue may sell fakes, often without warranties.

Note: Prices in Kenya fluctuate due to exchange rates and seller markups. Always verify the seller’s authenticity, as even some listings on reputable platforms may come from third-party sellers with questionable stock.

Why People Should Avoid Fake Phones

Purchasing a fake phone like the Huaweii P50 Pro carries significant risks, as emphasized by the CA and Huawei’s guidelines:

1. Poor Performance and Durability:
   • Fake phones use low-quality components, leading to sluggish performance, app crashes, and unreliable functionality. Their cheap materials make them prone to damage, offering poor long-term value.
2. Security Risks:
   • Counterfeit devices often come with pre-installed malware or spyware, compromising sensitive data like M-Pesa transactions, bank details, or passwords. Suspicious apps that reinstall after deletion are a common issue, posing risks to personal information.
3. No Warranty or Support:
   • Genuine Huawei phones come with a warranty and access to authorized service centers like Carlcare. Fakes lack warranties, software updates, or service networks, leaving buyers stranded if issues arise.
4. Network and Connectivity Issues:
   • Fake phones may support only 2G or 3G networks, which are being phased out in Kenya, or have unreliable Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or GPS. Cloned IMEI numbers risk blacklisting, rendering the phone unusable.
5. Safety Concerns:
   • Counterfeit phones often use substandard batteries prone to overheating or failure, posing safety hazards. They lack certification from regulatory bodies, increasing risks to users.
6. Ethical and Economic Impact:
   • Buying counterfeits supports illegal markets, costing Kenya an estimated KSh 30 billion annually in tax evasion and undermining legitimate manufacturers like Huawei. It also contributes to unfair trade practices.

How to Avoid Buying a Fake Huaweii P50 Pro

To ensure you purchase a genuine Huawei P50 Pro, follow these steps recommended by the CA and Huawei:

• Buy from Authorized Retailers: Stick to trusted platforms like Jumia, Phone Place Kenya, Mobile Hub, Avechi, or Huawei’s official retailers. Avoid unregulated marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace or Instagram unless the seller is verified.
• Verify IMEI: Dial *#06# to display the phone’s IMEI and send it to 1555 via SMS to check authenticity with the CA’s database. An invalid or mismatched IMEI indicates a fake.
• Inspect the Device: Check for a high-quality 6.6-inch OLED display, functional 50 MP Leica camera, and smooth EMUI 12 interface. Test AppGallery, Petal Search, and 4G connectivity. Use apps like CPU-Z to confirm the Snapdragon 888 chipset. Look for misspellings, poor build quality, or non-USB-C ports.
• Scan QR Code: Genuine Huawei packaging includes a QR code for authenticity verification. Scan it to ensure it directs to Huawei’s official site.
• Avoid Unrealistic Deals: Prices below KSh 129,500 for a new or refurbished P50 Pro are suspicious. Scammers often claim the phone is imported or a gift.
• Meet at Safe Locations: If buying from a marketplace, meet at a Huawei-authorized retailer or police station for verification. Avoid rushed transactions.
• Use Secure Payments: Opt for platforms with buyer protection (e.g., Jumia, M-Pesa, PayPal) instead of cash or direct transfers to minimize scam risks.

Conclusion

The Huawei P50 Pro is a flagship smartphone offering exceptional camera performance and premium design, but its popularity has led to a flood of counterfeits like the “Huaweii P50 Pro” in the Kenyan market. These fakes, with their inferior hardware, deceptive software, and security risks, fail to deliver the quality and reliability of the genuine device. By recognizing signs of a fake—such as misspellings, poor build quality, or non-functional Leica cameras—and purchasing from reputable sources like Jumia, Phone Place Kenya, or Huawei’s authorized retailers, consumers can avoid being scammed. Investing in a genuine Huawei P50 Pro ensures superior performance, safety, and peace of mind, making it the smarter choice over a deceptive knock-off.

HUBA MAISHA MAGIC BONGO 29TH APRIL 2025 JUMANNE LEO USIKU