UHONDO!!!

The Huwai Mate 45: 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 “Huwai Mate 45” has surfaced as a notable fake phone, deceiving buyers seeking the premium features and reliability of the reputable Huawei brand. This article explores why the Huwai Mate 45 is considered counterfeit, what marks it as a fake, compares it to the legitimate Huawei Mate 40 Pro it likely attempts to emulate, provides pricing and purchase options, and highlights the risks of buying fake phones.

Why the Huwai Mate 45 Is a Fake Phone

The “Huwai Mate 45” is not a genuine product from Huawei, a Chinese multinational founded in 1987, known for its Mate, Pura, and Nova series smartphones. As of June 16, 2025, no “Huwai Mate 45” exists in Huawei’s official lineup. The Mate series includes models like the Huawei Mate 40 Pro, launched in October 2020, but no Mate 45 has been announced or released. Counterfeit manufacturers have fabricated the Huwai Mate 45 to exploit Huawei’s reputation in Kenya, where premium smartphones are sought after despite budget constraints. The misspelled “Huwai” omits the “e” from “Huawei,” and the “Mate 45” falsely suggests a newer model, likely emulating the Mate 40 Pro’s sleek design, advanced camera system, and 5G capabilities. 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 Huwai Mate 45 Fake?

Several telltale signs expose the Huwai Mate 45 as a counterfeit, consistent with reports on fake smartphones in Kenya:

• Misspelled Branding: The name “Huwai” omits the “e” from “Huawei,” a deliberate trick to mimic the legitimate brand while evading trademark laws, similar to other counterfeits like “Samssung” or “Apel” noted in Kenyan markets.
• Poor Build Quality: Unlike the Huawei Mate 40 Pro’s premium construction with a glass front and back (Gorilla Glass), aluminum frame, and IP68 water/dust resistance, weighing 212g, the fake uses cheap plastic or low-grade metal, with uneven edges, loose buttons, and a flimsy finish. It lacks the solid feel of the genuine model’s 158 x 72.5 x 9 mm build.
• Substandard Display: The screen is often dim, pixelated, or uses a low-quality LCD, lacking the vibrancy of the Mate 40 Pro’s 6.76-inch OLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate, 1344 x 2772 resolution, and ~456 ppi.
• Unreliable Software: It typically runs a glitchy, modified, or outdated Android-based system with bloatware or malware, disguised as Huawei’s EMUI 11 on Android 10 (without Google services). It lacks official app store access, updates, or features like the Mate 40 Pro’s AI-enhanced camera modes, as noted in reviews.
• 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, a critical verification step in Kenya.
• Shoddy Packaging: Counterfeit boxes feature blurry logos, misspellings, or poor-quality printing, with cheap, unbranded accessories, unlike Huawei’s professional packaging with a 66W SuperCharge charger, as described for the Mate 40 Pro.

These traits reveal the Huwai Mate 45 as a deceptive product, preying on consumers’ trust in Huawei’s premium Mate series.

Comparison: Huwai Mate 45 vs. Huawei Mate 40 Pro

The Huwai Mate 45 likely attempts to emulate the Huawei Mate 40 Pro, a flagship smartphone launched in October 2020, known for its Kirin 9000 5G chipset, 50MP triple-camera system, and 90Hz OLED display. Here’s a comparison:

Key Differences

The Huawei Mate 40 Pro features a 6.76-inch OLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate, a Kirin 9000 5G chipset for top-tier performance, and a triple-camera system with a 50MP main sensor, 20MP ultrawide, and 12MP periscope telephoto (5x optical zoom), supporting 4K video with Leica optics. It runs EMUI 11 on Android 10 (without Google services due to U.S. sanctions), offers a 4400mAh battery with 66W fast charging, and supports 5G, NFC, and infrared. Available in Black, Mystic Silver, White, Green, and Yellow, it boasts IP68 resistance and a premium design. In contrast, the Huwai Mate 45 is a shoddy knockoff, with inferior hardware, no advanced connectivity (e.g., 5G, NFC), and no legitimate software or support, often falsely displaying higher specs while delivering poor performance, as noted in counterfeit phone reports.

Prices and Where to Buy

Huawei Mate 40 Pro

• Price: Approximately KSh 103,000–111,999, depending on the retailer and storage variant (8GB/256GB). For example, MobileHub Kenya lists it at KSh 103,000, Phones & Tablets Kenya at KSh 105,000, and Mobile Pro Kenya at KSh 111,999. Prices may vary due to limited stock, as the Mate 40 Pro is an older 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 – Huawei Mate 40 Pro
  • Phone Place Kenya: Stocks authentic devices, fast delivery in Nairobi and beyond.
    • Link: Phone Place Kenya – Huawei Mate 40 Pro
  • MobileHub Kenya: Reliable for original phones, often with warranties.
    • Link: MobileHub Kenya – Huawei Mate 40 Pro
  • Phones & Tablets Kenya: Offers competitive pricing and delivery.
    • Link: Phones & Tablets Kenya – Huawei Mate 40 Pro

Huwai Mate 45

• Price: Often sold for KSh 10,000–30,000, a suspiciously low price that attracts budget buyers, far below the cost of genuine flagship smartphones, as noted in listings for questionable Huawei phones on Jiji.co.ke starting at KSh 4,000 for older models.
• 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 Huawei Mate 40 Pro may vary based on stock, taxes, condition (new or refurbished), and promotions. Always confirm with the retailer for the latest pricing and availability. Due to U.S. sanctions, newer Huawei models may have limited availability in Kenya, increasing reliance on older models like the Mate 40 Pro.

Why People Should Avoid Fake Phones

Purchasing counterfeit devices like the Huwai Mate 45 carries significant risks:

• Poor Performance: Fake phones deliver sluggish operation, with laggy apps, poor call quality, and unreliable features (e.g., low-resolution cameras producing blurry images), frustrating daily use, as seen in reports of counterfeit devices with inferior hardware.
• 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 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 accounts of counterfeit purchases in Kenya.

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 critical. The CA offers a free IMEI verification service by texting the number to 1555 and plans to launch a web-based 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 avoid scams, especially on platforms like Jiji.co.ke or Facebook Marketplace, where fake phones are rampant.

Conclusion

The Huwai Mate 45 is a counterfeit phone flooding the Kenyan market, exploiting Huawei’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 Huawei Mate 40 Pro, a flagship smartphone with a 90Hz OLED display, Kirin 9000 5G chipset, and advanced camera system. While the fake tempts with a low price (KSh 10,000–30,000), the authentic Huawei Mate 40 Pro (KSh 103,000–111,999) offers value, safety, and performance, available at trusted retailers 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.

BWANA CHAIRMAN MAISHA MAGIC PLUS SEASON 1 EPISODE 27