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The Inffinx Note 20: 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 “Inffinx Note 20” has surfaced as a notable fake phone, deceiving buyers seeking the affordability and quality of the reputable Infinix brand. This article explores why the Inffinx Note 20 is considered counterfeit, what marks it as a fake, compares it to the legitimate Samsung Galaxy Note 20 it likely attempts to emulate, provides pricing and purchase options, and highlights the risks of buying fake phones.

Why the Inffinx Note 20 Is a Fake Phone

The “Inffinx Note 20” is not a genuine product from Infinix Mobile, a brand under Transsion Holdings, established in 2013 and popular in Kenya for its budget-friendly smartphones. As of June 11, 2025, no “Inffinx Note 20” exists in Infinix’s official lineup; the Note series includes models like the Infinix Note 40 Pro 5G and Note 30 VIP, but no Note 20 has been released. Counterfeit manufacturers have fabricated the Inffinx Note 20 to exploit Infinix’s popularity in Kenya, where the brand competes with Samsung (21.44% market share) and Tecno (15.28%) as of March 2024. The name “Note 20” mimics Samsung’s flagship Galaxy Note 20 series, leveraging its premium reputation to mislead buyers. These fakes flood the market via informal channels—street vendors, unregulated online sellers, and social media marketplaces—luring consumers with low prices. The CA and Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) estimate that counterfeit phones may account for 30-40% of devices in circulation, posing risks to consumers and the economy.

What Makes the Inffinx Note 20 Fake?

Several telltale signs expose the Inffinx Note 20 as a counterfeit:

• Misspelled Branding: The name “Inffinx” adds an extra “f” to “Infinix,” a deliberate trick to mimic the legitimate brand while evading trademark laws.
• Poor Build Quality: Unlike Infinix’s sturdy designs or Samsung’s premium glass and metal construction, the fake uses cheap, flimsy plastic, with uneven edges, loose buttons, and a shoddy finish, often described as a fingerprint magnet unlike Samsung’s matte finish.
• Substandard Display: The screen is often dim, pixelated, or unevenly lit, lacking the vibrancy of Infinix’s IPS LCD or Samsung’s 6.7-inch Super AMOLED Plus display with a 60Hz refresh rate and 1080 x 2400 resolution.
• Unreliable Software: It typically runs a glitchy, modified, or outdated Android-based system (e.g., Android 7 or older), often loaded with bloatware or malware, unlike Infinix’s XOS or Samsung’s One UI 2.5 on Android 10 (upgradable to Android 13). Fake devices may mimic Samsung’s UI but lack features like Motion Smoothness or the 120Hz refresh rate test via TestUfo.
• Invalid IMEI: The International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number, viewable by dialing *#06#, is often invalid or duplicated. Texting it to 1555, a free CA service, typically confirms it as fake.
• Shoddy Packaging: Counterfeit boxes feature blurry logos, misspellings, or poor-quality printing, with cheap, unbranded accessories, unlike Samsung’s professional packaging or Infinix’s branded boxes. Some fakes include mismatched box sizes or non-standard covers.

These traits, as noted in reports of counterfeit Samsung Galaxy Note devices, reveal the Inffinx Note 20 as a deceptive product preying on consumers’ trust in Infinix and Samsung’s reputations.

Comparison: Inffinx Note 20 vs. Samsung Galaxy Note 20

The Inffinx Note 20 likely attempts to emulate the Samsung Galaxy Note 20, a flagship smartphone launched by Samsung in August 2020, known for its S Pen functionality, premium design, and powerful performance. Here’s a comparison:

Key Differences

The Samsung Galaxy Note 20, launched in August 2020, features a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED Plus display, an Exynos 990 or Snapdragon 865 5G+ processor, a triple-camera system with 8K video recording, and a 4300mAh battery with fast and wireless charging, running One UI 2.5 on Android 10. It includes a functional S Pen with Bluetooth and gesture controls, IP68 water/dust resistance, and premium materials like Gorilla Glass 5, available in Mystic Bronze, Mystic Green, and Mystic Gray. In contrast, the Inffinx Note 20 is a shoddy knockoff, with inferior hardware (e.g., MediaTek MTK6580 processor, 2GB RAM, 16GB ROM), poor cameras, and no legitimate software or support. Its stylus, if included, lacks S Pen functionality, and the device fails performance benchmarks like Geekbench, often scoring significantly lower than the genuine Note 20.

Prices and Where to Buy

Samsung Galaxy Note 20

• Price: Approximately KSh 78,000–82,500 for new or refurbished units, depending on the retailer, condition, and storage variant (e.g., 8GB/256GB). MobileHub Kenya lists it at KSh 78,000–82,500, though prices may be higher for new units due to its discontinuation.
• 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 – Samsung Galaxy Note 20
  • Phone Place Kenya: Stocks authentic devices, fast delivery in Nairobi and beyond.
    • Link: Phone Place Kenya – Samsung Galaxy Note 20
  • Avechi: A reliable shop for original phones, often with warranties.
    • Link: Avechi – Samsung Galaxy Note 20
  • PigiaMe: Offers genuine Samsung phones from trusted sellers.
    • Link: PigiaMe – Samsung Galaxy Note 20

Inffinx Note 20

• Price: Often sold for KSh 5,000–15,000, a suspiciously low price that attracts budget buyers, far below the cost of genuine smartphones, as seen in reports of fake Galaxy Note clones priced around £600 (~KSh 80,000 in 2021, far below market value).
• Where to Buy: These fakes are not available from reputable retailers but are commonly found in informal markets (e.g., 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. A 2019 ACA raid on Mfangano Street seized KSh 10 million worth of fake Samsung phones, highlighting these hotspots.

Note: Prices for the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 may vary based on stock, taxes, condition (new or refurbished), and promotions. As a discontinued model, new units are scarce, and prices reflect remaining or refurbished stock. Always confirm with the retailer for the latest pricing and availability.

Why People Should Avoid Fake Phones

Purchasing counterfeit devices like the Inffinx Note 20 carries significant risks:

• Poor Performance: Fake phones deliver sluggish operation, with laggy apps, poor call quality, and unreliable features, frustrating daily use. They often fail to run high-end games or switch apps smoothly, as noted in reports of fake Samsung devices.
• Safety Hazards: Low-quality batteries and components may overheat, leak, or explode, posing health risks to users and property. The CA warns that counterfeit phones may emit harmful radiation due to untested components.
• 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 Samsung 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. Mobile phones account for 51.8% of ACA seizures.
• Short Lifespan: Fake phones degrade quickly, with poor battery life and fragile components, negating initial savings as users must replace them sooner, as seen 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 Inffinx Note 20 is a counterfeit phone flooding the Kenyan market, exploiting Infinix’s trusted name while mimicking the Samsung Galaxy Note 20’s flagship appeal. Its misspelled branding, shoddy build, and dubious software set it apart from the genuine Galaxy Note 20, a reliable, feature-rich smartphone. While the fake tempts with a low price (KSh 5,000–15,000), the authentic Galaxy Note 20 (KSh 78,000–82,500) 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.

KINA MAISHA MAGIC EAST SEASON 5 EPISODE 23