How to spot the fake SanDisk Ultra microSD card without opening packaging.

Hi!

 In this post i'm going to describe the specific points, which will assure you that the SanDisk Ultra micro SD memory card you have, is genuine. 

There is hundreds of posts of how to determine fake SanDisk card by testing it with H2Testw and checking serial with SanDisk Support but non of them provide helpful information of how to do this before opening the package and testing the card. 

When you opened a package it might be a reason for seller to decline your return request, or you may face a lot of arguing with the seller, which you want to avoid. 

 So here is some specific points at the blister pack to look at, to determine Genuine SanDisk card.  

Genuine is on the left.

      Let's start with inspecting the blister backing card rear part:

SanDisk uses heat seal process stick two parts of card together, and this machine applies significant pressure to the card, making very specific indentation all round the perimeter of the card, with two small half circles on the top of it. Fake blister producers usually utilise the self adhesive technology which is significantly cheaper and can be packed without machine or with very simple manual machines. Therefore you would unlikely find such an indentations on the fake card. The retail hook hole is usually is not clear when it is fake card and cutted part is not removed.

Another specific thing i noticed- SanDisk emboss their logo on top of the printed logo at the left top corner- it is not always perfectly match the printed and might be misaligned though - this is normal. 

 I believe it is additional security feature used by the SanDisk packaging team to fight counterfeit products.  Another specific embossing i noticed, was sort of cavities in a random shape to the top right corner, just where the tick boxes are. I think it is because of some technological process, but for sure it is not present to fake cards. 

Also do check the EAN ( Barcode numbers ) to match the product you purchased. As well as Part Numbers.  The latest SanDisk Ultra microSD product codes are:

SDSQUA4-032G-GN6MA - 32GB 120Mb/s

SDSQUA4-064G-GN6MA - 64GB 120Mb/s

SDSQUA4-128G-GN6MA - 128GB 120Mb/s

SDSQUA4-256G-GN6MA - 256GB 120Mb/s

        I seen many fake cards,  where packaging manufacturers not even bothered to change the barcodes or product codes and 16GB, 64GB and even 128GB cards has been marked with the 32GB card corresponding MPN/barcode.  Also very common mistake, which manufacturers of the copy cards make,  is to declare 100MB/s speed for 16GB and 32GB Ultra in RED/GREY design (product code  SDSQUAR-032G....). However the only 100MB/s 32GB card was WHITE/GREY card (SDSQUNR-032G....). If you see a red/grey card with 100MB/S speed it is 100% counterfeit.

      Now let's look at the front part:

Genuine blister have slight indentations on sides as below.

Fake one is all way straight with no indents.

Look thorough the plastic blister which holds the card - you should be able to see very tiny dots on the sealing film, which seas the blister with the card and adapter. These dots are part of the sealing process.

The fake SanDisk Ultra does not have back sealing film as they usually use the clamshell type blister, again because it is easier to pack and does not require complicated machines. 

Inspect the quality of print - Genuine SanDisk Ultra microSD card does have high resolution print with no faded or non readable areas.  Also i suggest to check the text ULTRA - it have a colour gradient- from darker at the bottom to lighter at the top. MicroSD memory card copies usually does not have this. Also general fonts, misalignment and logos misplacement are present if the card is fake. 

     That's all visual differences i noticed, and if you satisfied with what you see from outside, next step is to open blister.  Cut it with scissors at the top (there is a cut line on the back) - please do not force the card out in the way you take the pills from blister - you most likely will end up with broken memory card.

Take out the PET blister and inspect. First of all it should not be a clamshell, but the PET thermoformed blister, heat sealed with the transparent PP film at the back. If it does not have such film, then most likely it is not a genuine SanDisk Ultra microSD Memory card.  It also should have a polymer recycling symbol (PET), couple of technological markings (probably cavity and batch numbers) and OPEN  mark at the corner. This is the place where you should pull the film off to take the card out. 

     If there is something what ring the bells, you can see the serial number and batch details thorough the film, without taking the card out. 

 So if you still in doubt, please contact the SanDisk Customer Support for help. 

Please note they not always are able to give you a 100% assurance as they only have images to check, and even might say that the genuine card is fake. So if you think the seller, you bought it from, is reputable and card should be genuine, please ask CS to raise it to L2 Engineer to double check. These guys are highly experienced and will give you very precise answer, matching the production codes to database. This might take few days though. 

I hope this article would be helpful. 

 Feel free to contact me should you have any questions, or you have a suggestion of the topic you willing to read the information about. And i will do my best to write such a blog for you! 

 And certainly please feel free to visit my webshop to purchase genuine SanDisk Ultra microSDHC and microSDXC memory cards, as well as other models, like SanDisk Extreme, Extreme Pro, High Endurance and the Nintendo Switch Licensed Memory cards. 100% Genuine SanDisk  :)

Thanks for reading!