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The SoWhat Quasar 8: A Fake Phone Flooding the Kenyan Market

The Kenyan smartphone market, a critical hub for digital connectivity with over 64 million mobile subscriptions as of 2023 per the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), has become a prime target for counterfeit devices. Among these, the “SoWhat Quasar 8” has surfaced as a notable fake phone, deceiving buyers seeking affordable, stylish smartphones. This article explores why the SoWhat Quasar 8 is considered counterfeit, what marks it as a fake, compares it to the legitimate OPPO Find X8 Ultra it likely attempts to emulate, provides pricing and purchase options, and highlights the risks of buying fake phones.

Why the SoWhat Quasar 8 Is a Fake Phone

The “SoWhat Quasar 8” is not a genuine product from any recognized smartphone manufacturer, such as Samsung, OPPO, or Tecno, which hold significant market shares in Kenya (21.44%, growing presence, and 15.28%, respectively, as of March 2024). The “SoWhat” branding, paired with the model name “Quasar 8,” appears to be a fabricated attempt to mimic premium devices, possibly drawing inspiration from the naming conventions of high-end smartphones like the OPPO Find X8 Ultra, launched in 2024. Counterfeit manufacturers have created this device to exploit the demand for budget-friendly, premium-looking phones in Kenya, where counterfeit devices may account for 30–40% of the market. These fakes flood the market via informal channels—street vendors, unregulated online sellers, and social media marketplaces—luring consumers with low prices.

The choice of the OPPO Find X8 Ultra as the likely emulated phone reflects counterfeiters’ strategy to mimic a flagship device with advanced camera systems and cutting-edge technology, capitalizing on OPPO’s reputation for innovation and design in Kenya’s competitive market.

What Makes the SoWhat Quasar 8 Fake?

Several telltale signs expose the SoWhat Quasar 8 as a counterfeit:

• Suspicious Branding: The name “SoWhat Quasar 8” is not associated with any reputable manufacturer. It appears designed to sound futuristic or premium, mimicking names like OPPO’s Find X8 series, but lacks any official brand recognition.
• Poor Build Quality: The device often features cheap plastic materials, misaligned ports, loose buttons, and a flimsy finish, unlike the OPPO Find X8 Ultra’s premium aluminum alloy frame and glass back with a 6.82-inch AMOLED display. Genuine devices have a solid, sophisticated feel.
• Substandard Display: Its screen is typically dim, pixelated, or unevenly lit, lacking the vibrancy and clarity of the OPPO Find X8 Ultra’s 6.82-inch AMOLED LTPO display with a 120Hz refresh rate, 1440×3168 resolution, and 1600-nit peak brightness.
• Unreliable Software: The SoWhat Quasar 8 may run a glitchy, outdated, or modified Android-based system, potentially with pre-installed malware or bloatware, unlike OPPO’s ColorOS 15 on Android 14, which offers smooth performance and AI features like Circle to Search. Fakes often fail to replicate official ecosystems or provide updates.
• Invalid IMEI: The International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) is number, viewable by dialing *#06#, is often invalid or duplicated, or non-existent. Texting it to 1555, a free CA service, typically reveals it as fake.
• Shoddy Packaging: Counterfeit boxes show poor printing quality, misspellings, or fake logos, with unbranded, low-quality accessories, unlike OPPO’s professional packaging with branded chargers and detailed manuals.

These traits reveal the SoWhat Quasar 8 as a deceptive product preying on cost-conscious consumers in Kenya’s bustling market.

Comparison: SoWhat Quasar 8 vs. OPPO Find X8 Ultra

The SoWhat Quasar 8 likely attempts to emulate the OPPO Find X8 Ultra, a flagship smartphone launched by OPPO in 2024, known for its exceptional camera system, top-tier performance, and sleek design. Here’s a comparison:

Key Differences

The OPPO Find X8 Ultra features a 6.82-inch AMOLED LTPO display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, a quad-camera system tuned by Hasselblad with a 50MP main sensor, and a 6100mAh battery with 100W SuperVOOC charging. It runs ColorOS 15 on Android 14, offering AI features like photo editing and Touch to Share, with five years of updates. Its premium design includes an Action Shortcut button and IP68/IP69 resistance. In contrast, the SoWhat Quasar 8 is a shoddy knockoff, with inferior hardware, poor performance, and no legitimate software or support, often featuring a generic Android interface that fails to mimic ColorOS, lacking the advanced features and reliability of the genuine model.

Prices and Where to Buy

OPPO Find X8 Ultra

• Price: Approximately KSh 100,000–130,000, depending on the retailer, region, and storage variant (e.g., 12GB/256GB, 16GB/1TB). Based on global pricing (from $1007.02 or ~KSh 130,000), Kenyan prices may align similarly, though import taxes could increase costs.
• Where to Buy: Available from reputable online and physical stores in Kenya, including:
  • Jumia Kenya: A trusted platform for electronics with fast delivery.
    • Link: Jumia Kenya – OPPO Find X8 Ultra
  • Phone Place Kenya: Stocks authentic devices, fast delivery in Nairobi and beyond.
    • Link: Phone Place Kenya – OPPO Find X8 Ultra
  • Avechi: A reliable shop for original phones, often with warranties.
    • Link: Avechi – OPPO Find X8 Ultra
  • Price in Kenya: Offers genuine OPPO phones, countrywide delivery.
    • Link: Price in Kenya – OPPO Find X8 Ultra

SoWhat Quasar 8

• Price: Often sold for KSh 5,000–15,000, a suspiciously low price that attracts budget buyers, far below the cost of genuine flagship smartphones.
• Where to Buy: These fakes are not available from reputable retailers but are commonly found in informal markets (e.g., downtown Nairobi’s Mfangano Street, Tom Mboya Street), unverified online sellers, or dubious platforms like social media marketplaces (e.g., Facebook Marketplace) and classifieds sites like Jiji.co.ke. No legitimate links exist, as these are counterfeit products not endorsed by trusted stores.

Note: Prices for the OPPO Find X8 Ultra may vary based on stock, taxes, condition (new or used), and promotions. Always confirm with the retailer for the latest pricing and availability.

Why People Should Avoid Fake Phones

Purchasing counterfeit devices like the SoWhat Quasar 8 carries significant risks:

• Poor Performance: Fake phones deliver sluggish operation, with laggy apps, poor call quality, and unreliable features, frustrating daily use, as seen in reports of counterfeit OPPO devices with low-quality displays and slow chipsets.
• Safety Hazards: Low-quality batteries and components may overheat, leak, or explode, posing health risks to users and property, a concern highlighted by the CA regarding counterfeit phones’ potential harmful radiation.
• Security Threats: Counterfeit software often harbors malware, risking theft of personal data—contacts, photos, bank details—exposing users to fraud. Over 150 million counterfeit smartphones are sold annually with compromised security features.
• No Warranty or Support: Fakes lack manufacturer backing, leaving buyers without recourse if the device fails, unlike genuine OPPO devices with a one-year warranty from trusted retailers.
• Economic Impact: Buying counterfeits fuels illegal trade, costing Kenya an estimated KSh 30 billion annually in tax evasion and harming legitimate businesses, with mobile phones accounting for 51.8% of ACA seizures.
• Short Lifespan: Fake phones degrade quickly, negating initial savings as users must replace them sooner, as noted in personal accounts of counterfeit purchases.

The Communications Authority of Kenya and the Anti-Counterfeit Authority actively seize fake goods, such as the KSh 10 million worth of counterfeit phones confiscated in Nairobi in 2019, but consumer vigilance is crucial. The CA plans to establish an online platform linked to the GSMA global device database to verify phone authenticity using IMEI numbers. Until then, consumers should verify a phone’s IMEI by texting to 1555, inspect its quality, and buy only from trusted sources to avoid these dangers.

Conclusion

The SoWhat Quasar 8 is a counterfeit phone flooding the Kenyan market, exploiting consumer demand for premium, affordable smartphones. Its suspicious branding, shoddy build, and dubious software set it apart from the genuine OPPO Find X8 Ultra, a reliable, feature-rich flagship device. While the fake tempts with a low price (KSh 5,000–15,000), the authentic OPPO Find X8 Ultra (KSh 100,000–130,000) offers value, safety, and performance, available at trusted outlets like Jumia, Phone Place Kenya, and Avechi. Avoid fake phones to protect your safety, data, and wallet—stick to reputable retailers and verify authenticity before buying.

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