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The Infinixx Smart 8: A Counterfeit Smartphone Flooding the Kenyan Market

The Kenyan smartphone market, a thriving hub for affordable and feature-rich devices, is increasingly targeted by counterfeit phones that exploit the popularity of trusted brands like Infinix. One such device is the “Infinixx Smart 8,” a fake phone posing as a budget-friendly model from Infinix’s Smart series, known for its stylish design and reliable performance. This article examines why the Infinixx Smart 8 is considered counterfeit, what makes it fake, compares it to the genuine phone it attempts to emulate, provides pricing and availability details, and explains why consumers should avoid fake phones.

Why the Infinixx Smart 8 is Considered a Fake

The Infinixx Smart 8 is not an officially recognized product from Infinix, a leading smartphone brand under Transsion Holdings, renowned for its budget-friendly devices tailored for markets like Kenya. Several factors confirm its status as a counterfeit device:

1. Misspelled Branding: The extra “x” in “Infinixx” is a clear indicator of its counterfeit nature. Infinix’s official branding is consistent across its products, and no legitimate device would feature such a misspelling. The genuine Infinix Smart series includes models like the Smart 7 and Smart 8, but no “Infinixx Smart 8” exists, as confirmed by Infinix’s official website and trusted tech sources like GSMArena.
2. Non-Existent Model: The “Infinixx Smart 8” is not listed among Infinix’s smartphone offerings. The genuine Infinix Smart 8, launched in November 2023, is a budget device with a 6.6-inch IPS LCD display and Unisoc T606 processor, but the “Infinixx” variant is a fabrication by counterfeiters to deceive consumers seeking affordable Infinix phones.
3. Inferior Build Quality: Counterfeit phones like the Infinixx Smart 8 often mimic the design of Infinix’s Smart series but use substandard materials, such as low-grade plastic instead of Infinix’s sturdy polycarbonate bodies and glass fronts. These fakes typically feature low-resolution displays, flimsy buttons, and lack the robust build quality of genuine Infinix models.
4. Fake or Modified Software: The Infinixx Smart 8 may run a modified version of Android designed to resemble Infinix’s XOS 13 but lacks its smooth performance, features like Smart Panel or Dynamic Island-like overlay, and security updates. Such software is often unstable, may include pre-installed malware, and fails to support Google Play Store or Infinix’s ecosystem, posing significant security risks, as noted by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA).
5. Misleading Specifications: Listings for the Infinixx Smart 8 may claim specs like a 13MP camera, 4GB RAM, or a modern chipset, but these are typically exaggerated or false. The actual hardware often includes outdated processors, low-quality cameras, and minimal storage, unlike the genuine Infinix Smart 8’s Unisoc T606 chipset and 13MP camera.
6. Unregulated Distribution Channels: Counterfeit phones are commonly sold through informal vendors, street markets, or unverified online platforms in Kenya, such as Jiji or street vendors in Nairobi’s Tom Mboya Street and Luthuli Avenue. The Infinixx Smart 8 appears on such platforms at unrealistically low prices, a hallmark of counterfeit goods, with the CA estimating that 30–40% of phones in Kenya are fake.

Comparison with the Genuine Phone It Emulates

The Infinixx Smart 8 likely attempts to emulate the Infinix Smart 8, a budget-friendly smartphone launched in November 2023, known for its 6.6-inch IPS LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate, Unisoc T606 processor, and 5000mAh battery with 10W fast charging. The Infinix Smart 8 is a popular choice in Kenya for its affordability, decent performance, and long-lasting battery, making it a prime target for counterfeiters. Below is a comparison of the two devices:

The Infinix Smart 8 is a reliable budget device praised for its 90Hz display, long-lasting 5000mAh battery, and decent 13MP camera, making it ideal for Kenyan consumers seeking value for money. It features a sleek design and XOS 13 enhancements like Smart Panel and Game Mode, ensuring a smooth user experience. In contrast, the Infinixx Smart 8 fails to deliver comparable quality, offering inferior hardware, unreliable software, and no official support, as is typical with counterfeit devices.

Prices and Where to Buy

• Infinix Smart 8 (Genuine):
  • Price in Kenya: Approximately Ksh 11,400–13,500, depending on the RAM/storage variant (3GB/64GB or 4GB/128GB) and retailer.
  • Where to Buy:
    • Jumia Kenya: Lists the Infinix Smart 8 for Ksh 12,000–13,500 through verified sellers. Link
    • Phone Place Kenya: Offers the Infinix Smart 8 (4GB/128GB) for Ksh 13,500 with a warranty. Link
    • Gadgets Leo: Sells the Infinix Smart 8 (4GB/128GB) for Ksh 12,999 with fast delivery in Nairobi. Link
    • Phones Store Kenya: Offers the Infinix Smart 8 for Ksh 12,000 with countrywide delivery. Link
    • Avechi Kenya: Provides the Infinix Smart 8 for Ksh 11,499 with pay-on-delivery options. Link
    • Badili Kenya: Offers certified refurbished Infinix phones with a 12-month warranty, potentially including the Smart 8 for Ksh 10,000–12,000 (if available). Link
  • Note: Always purchase from authorized retailers to ensure authenticity and warranty coverage. Verify the seller’s reputation to avoid counterfeit products.
• Infinixx Smart 8 (Counterfeit):
  • Price in Kenya: Typically sold for Ksh 3,000–8,000, significantly lower than genuine smartphones, making it attractive to cost-conscious buyers. Prices vary depending on the seller and claimed specifications.
  • Where to Buy: The Infinixx Smart 8 is often found on unregulated platforms like Jiji or with street vendors in Nairobi’s Tom Mboya Street or Luthuli Avenue, known conduits for counterfeit phones. Listings on platforms like Jiji advertise fake phones at prices as low as Ksh 3,000–7,000, a clear sign of inauthenticity. Link Specific links to counterfeit listings are avoided here to prevent promoting fake goods.
  • Warning: Buyers should be cautious of deals on unverified platforms or from sellers offering steep discounts, as these are common tactics for distributing counterfeit phones, as noted by the CA.

Why People Should Avoid Fake Phones

Purchasing a counterfeit phone like the Infinixx Smart 8 carries significant risks that outweigh any initial cost savings. Here are compelling reasons to avoid fake phones:

1. Poor Performance and Durability: Counterfeit phones often suffer from sluggish performance, frequent crashes, and short lifespans due to low-quality components. For example, the Infinixx Smart 8 may claim a 13MP camera but deliver blurry images, unlike the Infinix Smart 8’s reliable 13MP camera with decent performance in good lighting.
2. Security Vulnerabilities: Fake phones may come with pre-installed malware or lack proper security protocols, risking data theft or unauthorized access to sensitive information, such as mobile banking apps like M-Pesa, which is critical in Kenya. The CA warns that uncertified devices can access personal data and send it to manufacturers.
3. Safety Hazards: Counterfeit devices often use substandard batteries and components, increasing the risk of overheating, battery explosions, or exposure to harmful radiation. The CA has highlighted that fake phones are not certified for safety, posing health risks to users.
4. No Warranty or Support: Unlike genuine Infinix phones, which offer a 1-year warranty and software updates through authorized retailers, counterfeit phones like the Infinixx Smart 8 lack after-sales support, leaving buyers stranded if the device fails. Authorized retailers like Gadgets Leo provide warranties for genuine devices.
5. Economic Consequences: The trade in counterfeit phones costs Kenya an estimated Ksh 30 billion annually in tax evasion and undermines legitimate retailers and manufacturers, affecting the economy and consumer confidence.
6. Consumer Deception: Fake phones are designed to deceive buyers by mimicking the branding and appearance of genuine devices. The misspelling “Infinixx” and low prices are tactics to lure unsuspecting consumers, resulting in financial loss due to poor functionality and lack of longevity.

How to Avoid Buying a Fake Phone in Kenya

To ensure you purchase a genuine Infinix smartphone, follow these steps:

1. Verify the IMEI: Dial *#06# to retrieve the phone’s IMEI number and send it via SMS to 1555, a free service by the CA. A response will confirm the phone’s make and model. If the details don’t match or indicate an unrecognized device, it’s likely fake. Alternatively, check the IMEI on Infinix’s official warranty page.
2. Buy from Reputable Retailers: Purchase from trusted sources like Jumia Kenya, Phone Place Kenya, Gadgets Leo, Phones Store Kenya, Avechi Kenya, or Badili Kenya, which offer warranties and verified products. Avoid street vendors or unverified platforms like Jiji, known for selling counterfeits.
3. Inspect the Device: Check for high-quality materials (e.g., sturdy plastic frame, glass front), accurate branding (correct “Infinix” spelling), and official packaging. Counterfeit phones often have misspellings, low-quality displays, or flimsy construction. Test XOS 13 features like Smart Panel or Google Play Store access, which fakes cannot replicate reliably.
4. Check Seller Reputation: Review ratings and feedback on platforms like Jumia to ensure the seller is trustworthy. Be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true, such as smartphones priced below Ksh 10,000.
5. Demand a Warranty and Receipt: Genuine sellers provide warranties and receipts. If a seller cannot offer these, it’s a red flag. Infinix phones from authorized retailers come with a 1-year warranty.
6. Verify Specifications: Use apps like CPU-Z or AnTuTu to check the phone’s internal specifications after a factory reset to ensure they match the advertised details, as counterfeiters may manipulate benchmark apps.

Conclusion

The Infinixx Smart 8 is a counterfeit smartphone flooding the Kenyan market, exploiting Infinix’s reputation with its misspelled branding and non-existent model name. Its inferior build quality, fake software, and lack of official support make it a risky purchase compared to the genuine Infinix Smart 8, which offers a 6.6-inch 90Hz display, reliable Unisoc T606 performance, and a 5000mAh battery for Ksh 11,400–13,500 at trusted retailers like Jumia, Phone Place Kenya, and Gadgets Leo. Consumers should avoid fake phones due to their poor performance, security vulnerabilities, safety hazards, and economic impact. By verifying IMEI numbers, buying from authorized retailers, and staying vigilant, Kenyans can protect themselves from counterfeit scams and enjoy a reliable, high-quality smartphone experience.

Sources:

• Infinix Official Website
• GSMArena
• Jumia Kenya
• Phone Place Kenya
• Gadgets Leo
• Phones Store Kenya
• Avechi Kenya
• Badili Kenya
• Communications Authority of Kenya
• Citizen Digital
• Techish Kenya
• Patabay Kenya

KINA MAISHA MAGIC EAST SEASON 5 EPISODE 14