How to know if the cell phone is approved

When browsing the internet, consumers can easily find a wide variety of cell phones in online stores. Due to the vast number of options, it is essential to pay attention to some details to avoid purchasing a irregular cell phone, that is, a smartphone that does not meet the criteria of Anatel for proper marketing and use.

Given that 90% of cell phones purchased in the country come from marketplaces such as Mercado Livre e AmazonBelow is this tutorial from showmetech will show you what the main details are to identify a irregular cell phone, your rights as a consumer, in addition to the project Cool Cell Phone, from the Federal Government.

What is an irregular cell phone?

Objectively, a irregular cell phone is a telephone device that has not been certified by the telecommunications regulatory agency of the current country — in Brazil, the Anatel (National Telecommunications Agency).

This cell phone could be the result of theft, forgery or loss, not receiving the necessary certifications to be sold within the strictness of regulatory law. Despite this, according to research carried out by Abinee, the Brazilian Association of the Electrical and Electronic Industry, approximately 25% of cell phones sold in Brazil are irregular.

The numbers released by the association indicate that 10% of cell phone sales volume in 2023 — around 6,2 million devices — were sold on the parallel market, representing a considerable share of the electronics sector.

The impact is felt in Brazilian coffers, as soon as there is a large loss of revenue. According to calculation of Abinee, the government stops collecting more than $ 4 billion in federal taxes.

The margin of irregular cell phones in the Brazilian market has reached a considerable level. In the third quarter of last year, research by IDC Brazil (International Data Corporation) found that there was a 15% increase in the volume of sales of irregular devices in the country.

Border inspection is not sufficient to curb this very serious problem. When you see news about the seizure of cargo containing a thousand devices, it is just a drop in the ocean.

Humberto Barbato, president of Abinee

According to Abinee, smartphones from Xiaomi are the most smuggled, followed by brands Oppo e realme, all of Chinese origin

Risks of buying irregular cell phones

The risks of purchasing an irregular cell phone are diverse. Among them, the possibility of overheating, shocks and even device explosion. This is due to the low quality of the components used in the manufacture of mobile phones.

Furthermore, the performance of these devices is notably worse than an original cell phone. By the use of cheaper components, the good use of these devices is compromised by poor fluidity, crashes and the risk of security breaches. This can lead to vulnerabilities that can be exploited by malware, viruses and other threats.

Another factor to be taken into consideration is the possibility of a lack of connectivity with mobile phone operators. Irregular cell phones may not be compatible with all communications networks or may have interoperability issues with other devices and services. This may result in difficulties making calls, sending messages or accessing the Internet.

Due to their unknown origin, cell phones not certified by Anatel may generate restrictions based on the law, which may result in fines, in addition to the seizure of the device.

It is worth mentioning that, when purchasing an illegal cell phone, the other accessories that make up the device kit (charger, cables and headset) will also be parallel, compromising the experience with using the cell phone, as they are accessories of low quality, paying greater attention to the charger, which could overheat, cause damage to the phone, as well as, as a last resort, explosions and fire.

Legal Cell Project

Federal government initiative, the project Cool Cell Phone promotes the fight against the sale of irregular cell phones, not approved by Anatel, acquired illegally or of illegal origin. The project aims to protect consumers from scams, favoring the legal trade of mobile devices.

To help citizens, the 'Cool Cell Phone' provides information to consumers on how to identify irregular cell phones and what their rights are when purchasing telephone equipment. Furthermore, the website advises consumers who have purchased an irregular cell phone on how to proceed in the situation.

From the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) of the device, it is possible to access through the website the checking the status of the device, being able to verify its legality before Anatel.

How to detect an irregular cell phone?

Suspect abnormally low price

According to research by Abinee, irregular cell phones cost around 38% less than original ones. This value, well below that charged by Mercado Livre and Amazon ads, for example, tends to impress consumers, who choose to purchase, believing they are getting a good deal.

However, the value well below the market should raise suspicions about the origin and originality of the product, especially outside the period of major promotions, such as Black Friday.

Note, below, the big price difference between the 15 GB Iphone 128 from the official store Apple (image below) and the same device offered in Amazon – for cash payment. The price difference is R$2450, about 32,65% down.

Clearly, this price difference, although considerable, does not indicate that the product advertised on Amazon is counterfeit. However, greater attention to the details mentioned in the text is necessary for the consumer to purchase an official and reliable product.

Price in the Apple store – Iphone 15 128 GB

Value on Amazon – Iphone 15 128 GB

Check IMEI before purchase

O IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is the global and unique identification number for each cell phone. This number can be consulted before the consumer makes the purchase. This guidance is present in the project Cool Cell Phone, where the query the IMEI status can be done.

Request the issuance of an invoice

At the time of purchase, the requirement of issuance of invoice is proof that the acquisition was made, containing information on the receipt such as date of purchase, product description, amount paid and seller details, mainly CNPJ, which is essential to resolve any problems, such as warranty, exchanges or returns.

Furthermore, being in possession of the invoice is necessary to activate the product's warranty in the event of a defect occurring within the current period stipulated by the manufacturer, making it possible to repair the product free of charge. Without the note, it will be difficult to prove the purchase, which may prevent technical assistance or replacement of the device, based on the guidelines of the Consumer Protection Code.

Confirm that there is approval from Anatel

The query of IMEI the site Anatel It is also proof that the cell phone is regular and original from an authorized factory. On the website it is possible to consult the approval, which attests to the legality of the product.

Another way to check the Anatel approval It is due to the existence of seals from the regulatory agency on the manual, on the sealed packaging of the product, on the cell phone and/or on the component accessories (chargers and the like).

Confirm return and warranty policy

It is extremely important to check the return policy and warranty of products before purchasing. For the Consumer Protection Code, who purchased the cell phone through an online purchase — that is, marketplaces , the Amazon, Mercado Livre e Kabum! — has the right to repentance, valid for seven calendar days after delivery of the product or service.

The consumer is also entitled to exchange, repair or refund the device within 90 days of purchase, depending on the nature of the defect presented.

To take these measures, it is essential to present proof of purchase, in order to claim the rights guaranteed in the CDC.

Check seller and product reviews

In the profiles of sellers of marketplaces and other online stores, the seller is evaluated for each sale made, receiving ratings from consumers. The index of good or bad ratings helps the consumer decide whether or not to purchase, based on the testimonials of other consumers who previously purchased products from that seller.

Therefore, give preference to sellers with good ratings and who have been on the platform for longer. These indexes favor the store's reputation, which gives more evidence that the product is original and sold legally.

Check authenticity seals and certifications

Verification of authenticity seals and certifications is necessary to certify the authenticity of the cell phone at the time of purchase. As we mentioned, Anatel seals prove that the product is legal, has been approved by the regulatory agency and is free to be sold in Brazil.

The seals and certifications also prove that the product is compatible with operators operating in the country, ensuring that the device will be able to access services offered by third parties.

Compare photos and specifications with official company websites

When purchasing a cell phone from online retail stores, make a detailed analysis of the photos published in the ad, with photos available on the company's official website. Confirm that the photos match, actually show the same product, analyze the available colors, format, sizes and other specifications.

Pay attention to low-resolution photos that show another similar product, or that may represent some characteristic that differs from the original product.

Below, we summarize the main doubts regarding illegal cell phones, and how to ensure that your device is legal and approved by Anatel:

Sources: Examination, Anatel, Living, Telcomp, Mustr, Abinee.

See also:

The illegal smartphone market is growing at worrying levels and is already threatening manufacturers

reviewed by Glaucon Vital in 2 / 5 / 24.