A few weeks ago I missed a sale for the EP-TA845XBEGGB 45W charger, annoyed at not getting the discount I decided to take a chance on ordering one from eBay. There are multiple listings for this charger at prices of £15-25.
The charger I received looks very convincing and could easily trick someone into thinking they've scored a bargain genuine item. However it is a counterfeit.
The easiest way to tell is the weight of the charger, according to the specifications on samsung.com, it should weigh 120.42g, the fake I received weighs 92 grams.
Other ways to tell:
- The exterior packaging of the fake I received is printed on a textured cardboard. As far as I know all genuine Samsung chargers use smooth, semi-glossy cardboard.
- The fake has the barcodes printed directly onto the box. Genuine chargers have the barcode and serial number on a separate label, stuck to the packaging.
- There are some cosmetic differences on the charger itself:
- The overall fit and finish isn't quite as good as a genuine charger.
- A seam on the side is noticable and little sharp if you run your finger over it.
- The insulated plastic part of the plug pins isn't perfectly flush and aligned with the metal part.
- There are two visible black plastic pins poking throught the case of the charger which aren't there on a genuine unit.
If it looks too good to be true, it probably is. I expect many of the marketplace vendors on Amazon are also selling these fakes. Be careful out there, I'd recommend only buying direct from Samsung or a major retailer. Remember that a fake charger means fake safety certifications, don't risk your life or the lives of your loved ones. Saving a few pounds isn't worth a house fire.
