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The Opopo A78s: A Fake Phone Flooding the Kenyan Market

The Kenyan smartphone market, a vital 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 “Opopo A78s” has surfaced as a notable fake phone, deceiving buyers seeking the affordability and quality of the reputable OPPO brand. This article explores why the Opopo A78s is considered counterfeit, what marks it as a fake, compares it to the legitimate OPPO A78 4G it likely attempts to emulate, provides pricing and purchase options, and highlights the risks of buying fake phones.

Why the Opopo A78s Is a Fake Phone

The “Opopo A78s” is not a genuine product from OPPO, a Chinese tech company founded in 2004, known for its A-series, Reno, and Find smartphones. As of June 14, 2025, no “Opopo A78s” exists in OPPO’s official lineup; the A-series includes models like the OPPO A78 4G, launched in August 2023, but no A78s variant has been released. Counterfeit manufacturers have fabricated the Opopo A78s to exploit OPPO’s growing 7.81% market share in Kenya, capitalizing on the A78 4G’s reputation for a vibrant AMOLED display and fast charging. The misspelled “Opopo” repeats the “o” instead of “OPPO,” misleading buyers with a fake model name. 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 significant risks to consumers and the economy.

What Makes the Opopo A78s Fake?

Several telltale signs expose the Opopo A78s as a counterfeit, as seen in similar cases with fake OPPO devices:

• Misspelled Branding: The name “Opopo” repeats the “o” instead of “OPPO,” a deliberate trick to mimic the legitimate brand while evading trademark laws, similar to a reported fake OPPO A78 5G misidentified as an OPPO A8.
• Poor Build Quality: Unlike the OPPO A78 4G’s sleek design with a glass front, plastic frame, and 180g weight, the fake uses cheap, flimsy plastic, with uneven edges, loose buttons, and a shoddy finish. It lacks the premium feel and durability of the genuine model’s 7.9mm slim profile.
• Substandard Display: The screen is often dim, pixelated, or uses a low-quality LCD, lacking the clarity of the A78 4G’s 6.43-inch AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate, 1080 x 2400 resolution, 430 nits brightness, and 800 nits peak.
• Unreliable Software: It typically runs a glitchy, modified, or outdated Android-based system, often loaded with bloatware or malware, disguised as OPPO’s ColorOS 13.1 on Android 13. It lacks official app store access, updates, or features like Auto Pixelate, unlike the A78 4G’s optimized software with 48-month fluency protection. Fakes may falsely display inflated storage (e.g., 512GB ROM) while actually having less (e.g., 64GB), as reported in a fake OPPO A78 case.
• Invalid IMEI: The International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number, viewable by dialing *#06#, is often invalid or duplicated, or it may correspond to a different model (e.g., OPPO A8). Texting it to 1555, a free CA service, or checking OPPO’s official website typically confirms it as fake.
• Shoddy Packaging: Counterfeit boxes feature blurry logos, misspellings, or poor-quality printing, with cheap, unbranded accessories, unlike OPPO’s professional packaging with a 67W SUPERVOOC charger, as noted in counterfeit Infinix warnings about packaging differences.

These traits reveal the Opopo A78s as a deceptive product, preying on consumers’ trust in OPPO’s reputation for value and performance.

Comparison: Opopo A78s vs. OPPO A78 4G

The Opopo A78s likely attempts to emulate the OPPO A78 4G, a budget smartphone launched in August 2023, known for its AMOLED display, Snapdragon 680 processor, and 67W fast charging. Here’s a comparison:

Key Differences

The OPPO A78 4G features a 6.43-inch AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 processor, and a 50MP dual-camera system with an 8MP front camera, supporting 1080p video. It has a 5000mAh battery with 67W SUPERVOOC charging, runs ColorOS 13.1 on Android 13, and supports NFC, dual SIM, and microSD expansion up to 1TB. Its in-display fingerprint sensor and 48-month fluency protection ensure a smooth experience. Available in Aqua Green and Mist Black, it offers durability and value. In contrast, the Opopo A78s is a shoddy knockoff, with inferior hardware, no fast charging, and no legitimate software or support, often falsely displaying higher specs (e.g., 512GB storage) while delivering far less, as seen in similar fake OPPO cases.

Prices and Where to Buy

OPPO A78 4G

• Price: Approximately KSh 20,000–27,000, depending on the retailer, storage variant (8GB/128GB, 8GB/256GB), and promotions. For example, Gadgets Leo lists it at KSh 20,000, MobileHub Kenya at KSh 26,000, and Phones Store Kenya at KSh 27,000 for the 8GB/256GB model.
• 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 A78 4G
  • Phone Place Kenya: Stocks authentic devices, fast delivery in Nairobi and beyond.
    • Link: Phone Place Kenya – OPPO A78 4G
  • Gadgets Leo: Offers genuine OPPO phones, countrywide delivery.
    • Link: Gadgets Leo – OPPO A78 4G
  • MobileHub Kenya: Reliable for original phones, often with warranties.
    • Link: MobileHub Kenya – OPPO A78 4G
  • Phones Store Kenya: Provides countrywide delivery.
    • Link: Phones Store Kenya – OPPO A78 4G

Opopo A78s

• Price: Often sold for KSh 5,000–15,000, a suspiciously low price that attracts budget buyers, far below the cost of genuine budget smartphones, as noted in warnings about fake OPPO phones with inflated specs.
• 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 OPPO A78 4G 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 Opopo A78s 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 fake OPPO devices with mismatched hardware.
• 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, requiring frequent replacements, negating initial savings, 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 verify a phone’s IMEI by texting to 1555 or checking OPPO’s official website, inspect its quality, and buy only from trusted sources to avoid these dangers.

Conclusion

The Opopo A78s is a counterfeit phone flooding the Kenyan market, exploiting OPPO’s trusted name with a misspelled brand and non-existent model to mislead buyers. Its shoddy build, substandard display, and dubious software set it apart from the genuine OPPO A78 4G, a reliable budget smartphone with fast charging and a vibrant AMOLED display. While the fake tempts with a low price (KSh 5,000–15,000), the authentic OPPO A78 4G (KSh 20,000–27,000) offers value, safety, and performance, available at trusted outlets like Jumia, Phone Place Kenya, and Gadgets Leo. 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 47