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The Inffinx Hot 18: 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), is increasingly plagued by counterfeit devices. Among these, the “Inffinx Hot 18” has surfaced as a notable fake phone, deceiving buyers seeking the affordability and vibrant features of the reputable Infinix brand. This article explores why the Inffinx Hot 18 is considered counterfeit, what marks it as a fake, compares it to the legitimate Infinix Hot 40i it likely attempts to emulate, provides pricing and purchase options, and highlights the risks of buying fake phones.

Why the Inffinx Hot 18 Is a Fake Phone

The “Inffinx Hot 18” is not a genuine product from Infinix Mobile, a brand under Transsion Holdings, established in 2013 and known for its Hot, Note, and Zero series. As of June 14, 2025, no “Inffinx Hot 18” exists in Infinix’s official lineup; the Hot series includes models like the Infinix Hot 40i, launched in December 2023, but no Hot 18 has been released or announced. Counterfeit manufacturers have fabricated the Inffinx Hot 18 to exploit Infinix’s 10.1% market share in Kenya, capitalizing on the Hot series’ reputation for budget-friendly devices with large displays and strong batteries. The misspelled “Inffinx” with an extra “f” mimics Infinix’s branding, and the “18” falsely suggests a newer model. These fakes flood the market via informal channels—street vendors, unregulated online sellers, and social media marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace—luring consumers with low prices. The CA estimates that 30–40% of mobile phones in Kenya are counterfeit, posing significant risks to consumers and the economy.

What Makes the Inffinx Hot 18 Fake?

Several telltale signs expose the Inffinx Hot 18 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, similar to fake “Hotwav” phones noted in Kenyan markets.
• Poor Build Quality: Unlike Infinix’s durable designs with quality plastic builds and IP53 splash resistance, the fake uses cheap, flimsy plastic, with uneven edges, loose buttons, and a shoddy finish. The Infinix Hot 40i has a solid 190g 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 Hot 40i’s 6.56-inch IPS LCD with a 90Hz refresh rate, 720 x 1612 resolution, and 480 nits brightness.
• Unreliable Software: It typically runs a glitchy, modified, or outdated Android-based system, often loaded with bloatware or malware, disguised as Infinix’s XOS 13 on Android 13. Fakes lack official app store access or updates, unlike the Hot 40i’s optimized software, a concern echoed in warnings about fake Infinix phones in other markets.
• 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 a 33W charger.

These traits reveal the Inffinx Hot 18 as a deceptive product, preying on consumers’ trust in Infinix’s affordability.

Comparison: Inffinx Hot 18 vs. Infinix Hot 40i

The Inffinx Hot 18 likely attempts to emulate the Infinix Hot 40i, a budget smartphone launched in December 2023, known for its large display, 50MP camera, and robust battery life. Here’s a comparison:

Key Differences

The Infinix Hot 40i features a 6.56-inch IPS LCD with a 90Hz refresh rate, a Unisoc T606 processor, and a 50MP dual-camera system with a 32MP front camera, supporting 1080p video. It has a 5000mAh battery with 33W fast charging, runs Android 13 with XOS 13, and includes NFC, a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, and a Magic Ring feature for notifications. Available in Starlit Black, Palm Blue, Horizon Gold, and Starfall Green, it offers IP53 splash resistance and a premium design for its price range. In contrast, the Inffinx Hot 18 is a shoddy knockoff, with inferior hardware, poor performance, and no legitimate software or support, often lacking NFC, IP53 resistance, or fast charging, as noted in counterfeit Infinix warnings.

Comparison: Infinix Hot 40i vs. Huawei Y7 Prime 2019

To provide further context, since the user mentioned the Huawei Y7 Prime 2019, here’s a brief comparison between the Infinix Hot 40i (the legitimate phone the fake is emulating) and the Huawei Y7 Prime 2019, a budget smartphone launched in January 2019:

The Infinix Hot 40i offers a newer processor, faster charging, a higher-resolution camera, and modern software with Android 13, while the Huawei Y7 Prime 2019, though reliable, runs outdated Android 8.1 without Google services due to Huawei’s U.S. sanctions. The Hot 40i’s NFC and IP53 rating give it an edge for budget buyers, while the Y7 Prime 2019’s ceramic-like design appeals to those prioritizing aesthetics.

Prices and Where to Buy

Infinix Hot 40i

• Price: Approximately KSh 13,000–16,500, depending on the retailer, storage variant (4GB/128GB, 8GB/256GB), and promotions. For example, Phones Store Kenya lists it at KSh 13,000, MobileHub Kenya at KSh 15,800–16,500, and Gadgets Leo at KSh 14,000.
• 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 Hot 40i
  • Phone Place Kenya: Stocks authentic devices, fast delivery in Nairobi and beyond.
    • Link: Phone Place Kenya – Infinix Hot 40i
  • Gadgets Leo: Offers genuine Infinix phones, countrywide delivery.
    • Link: Gadgets Leo – Infinix Hot 40i
  • MobileHub Kenya: Reliable for original phones, often with warranties.
    • Link: MobileHub Kenya – Infinix Hot 40i
  • Phones Store Kenya: Provides countrywide delivery.
    • Link: Phones Store Kenya – Infinix Hot 40i

Huawei Y7 Prime 2019

• Price: Approximately KSh 16,000–18,000, depending on the retailer, storage variant (3GB/32GB, 3GB/64GB), and condition. For example, Phone Place Kenya lists it at KSh 16,500, Spenny Technologies at KSh 16,000, and The Standard reported a retail price of KSh 17,999 at launch.
• 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 – Huawei Y7 Prime 2019
  • Phone Place Kenya: Stocks authentic devices, fast delivery in Nairobi and beyond.
    • Link: Phone Place Kenya – Huawei Y7 Prime 2019
  • Phones Store Kenya: Offers genuine Huawei phones, countrywide delivery.
    • Link: Phones Store Kenya – Huawei Y7 Prime 2019
  • Spenny Technologies: Reliable for original phones, competitive pricing.
    • Link: Spenny Technologies – Huawei Y7 Prime 2019

Inffinx Hot 18

• 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 on platforms like Jiji.co.ke.
• 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 Hot 40i and Huawei Y7 Prime 2019 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 Hot 18 carries significant risks:

• Poor Performance: Fake phones deliver sluggish operation, with laggy apps, poor call quality, and unreliable features (e.g., low-resolution cameras), frustrating daily use, as seen in reports of counterfeit Infinix devices with inferior displays.
• 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 or Huawei 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, requiring frequent replacements, negating initial savings, as noted in personal accounts of counterfeit purchases like Hotwav phones.

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 verify a phone’s IMEI, inspect its quality, and buy only from trusted sources to mitigate these risks.

Conclusion

The Inffinx Hot 18 is a counterfeit phone flooding the Kenyan market, exploiting Infinix’s trusted name with a misspelled brand and fabricated model name. Its shoddy build, substandard display, and dubious software set it apart from the genuine Infinix Hot 40i, a reliable budget smartphone with modern features, which competes closely with the Huawei Y7 Prime 2019 in Kenya’s budget segment. While the fake tempts with a low price (KSh 5,000–10,000), the authentic Infinix Hot 40i (KSh 13,000–16,500) and Huawei Y7 Prime 2019 (KSh 16,000–18,000) offer 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.

SARABI MAISHA MAGIC PLUS SEASON 1 EPISODE 46