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The Inffinx Smart 9: 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 Smart 9” 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 Smart 9 is considered counterfeit, what marks it as a fake, compares it to the legitimate Infinix Smart 8 it likely attempts to emulate, provides pricing and purchase options, and highlights the risks of buying fake phones.

Why the Inffinx Smart 9 Is a Fake Phone

The “Inffinx Smart 9” 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 12, 2025, no “Inffinx Smart 9” exists in Infinix’s official lineup; the Smart series includes models like the Infinix Smart 8, launched in November 2023, but no Smart 9 has been released. Counterfeit manufacturers have fabricated the Inffinx Smart 9 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 misspelled “Inffinx” with an extra “f” mimics Infinix’s branding, capitalizing on the Smart 8’s reputation for affordability and modern features. 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 account for 30–40% of devices in circulation, posing risks to consumers and the economy.

What Makes the Inffinx Smart 9 Fake?

Several telltale signs expose the Inffinx Smart 9 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 durable designs with quality plastic builds and IP54 splash resistance, the fake uses cheap, flimsy plastic, with uneven edges, loose buttons, and a shoddy finish. The Infinix Smart 8 has a solid, lightweight 189g build, which fakes fail to replicate.
• Substandard Display: The screen is often dim, pixelated, or uses a low-quality LCD, lacking the clarity of the Infinix Smart 8’s 6.6-inch IPS LCD with a 90Hz refresh rate, 720 x 1612 resolution, and 500 nits brightness.
• Unreliable Software: It typically runs a glitchy, modified, or outdated Android-based system, often loaded with bloatware or malware, disguised to resemble Infinix’s Android 13 Go Edition with XOS 13. Fakes lack access to official app stores or updates, unlike the Smart 8’s optimized software.
• 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 Infinix’s professional packaging with branded chargers.

These traits, as noted in warnings about fake Infinix phones in other markets, reveal the Inffinx Smart 9 as a deceptive product preying on consumers’ trust in Infinix’s affordability.

Comparison: Inffinx Smart 9 vs. Infinix Smart 8

The Inffinx Smart 9 likely attempts to emulate the Infinix Smart 8, a budget smartphone launched in November 2023, known for its vibrant display, reliable battery, and modern design. Here’s a comparison:

Key Differences

The Infinix Smart 8 features a 6.6-inch IPS LCD with a 90Hz refresh rate, a Unisoc T606 processor, a 13MP dual-camera system, and a 5000mAh battery with 10W charging, running Android 13 Go Edition with XOS 13. It supports 4G connectivity, a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, and a Magic Ring feature similar to Apple’s Dynamic Island, available in Timber Black, Shiny Gold, and other colors. Its IP54 splash resistance and durable build make it a standout budget device. In contrast, the Inffinx Smart 9 is a shoddy knockoff, with inferior hardware, poor performance, and no legitimate software or support, often lacking IP54 resistance or the Magic Ring, as seen in counterfeit Infinix devices reported in other markets.

Prices and Where to Buy

Infinix Smart 8

• Price: Approximately KSh 11,000–15,000, depending on the retailer, storage variant (3GB/64GB, 4GB/128GB), and promotions. For example, Phones Store Kenya lists it at KSh 11,000, MobileHub Kenya at KSh 12,500, and Jumia Kenya at KSh 14,500.
• 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 – Infinix Smart 8
  • Phone Place Kenya: Stocks authentic devices, fast delivery in Nairobi and beyond.
    • Link: Phone Place Kenya – Infinix Smart 8
  • Phones Store Kenya: Offers genuine Infinix phones, countrywide delivery.
    • Link: Phones Store Kenya – Infinix Smart 8
  • MobileHub Kenya: Reliable for original phones, often with warranties.
    • Link: MobileHub Kenya – Infinix Smart 8

Inffinx Smart 9

• Price: Often sold for KSh 5,000–10,000, a suspiciously low price that attracts budget buyers, far below the cost of genuine budget smartphones, as noted in warnings about fake Infinix phones.
• 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.

Note: Prices for the Infinix Smart 8 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 Inffinx Smart 9 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 Infinix devices.
• 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 Infinix 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 offers a free IMEI verification service by texting the number to 1555 and plans to establish an online platform linked to the GSMA global device database to verify phone authenticity. Consumers should inspect device quality, avoid suspiciously cheap deals, and buy only from trusted sources to mitigate these risks.

Conclusion

The Inffinx Smart 9 is a counterfeit phone flooding the Kenyan market, exploiting Infinix’s trusted name with a misspelled brand to mislead buyers. Its shoddy build, substandard display, and dubious software set it apart from the genuine Infinix Smart 8, a reliable budget smartphone with modern features. While the fake tempts with a low price (KSh 5,000–10,000), the authentic Infinix Smart 8 (KSh 11,000–15,000) offers value, safety, and performance, available at trusted outlets like Jumia, Phone Place Kenya, and MobileHub Kenya. 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 28