1. Introduction
  2. Samsung Magician Software
  3. SSD drive Packaging identification
  4. Electronic Chips identification
  5. Crystal Disk Info Software
  6. Disk Speed Test
  7. Disk Storage Capacity Test
  8. Summary

1. Introduction:

This article represents your comprehensive reference guide for checking fake vs genuine Samsung SSD NVME drives. With rising demands on SSD drives for gaming computers and business demanding applications an opportunity has risen to scammers to take advantage of this increase in the demands and produce large numbers of fake SATA and m.2 NVME SSD drives. Of course, the more popular brands such as Samsung is primarily targeted due to its popularity and reliability. In this article we will show you different methods of identifying fake Samsung SSD drives and compare it to real ones. We will advise you on how you can avoid being scammed to save yourself money and the headache of data loss. We have produced a quick short YouTube video to demonstrate the differences between a fake Samsung SSD and genuine Samsung SSD drives.

2. Samsung Magician Software [Main Test]:

This method is your primary approach in order to detect and test if your purchased Samsung SSD drive is a genuine hard drive. This is the only method that is conclusive meaning that you do not need another method to be assured about the authenticity of the drive. Counterfeit Samsung drives will not be able to fool this software. When you have a genuine Samsung SSD drive, it will clearly show the word Genuine under the serial number, see the image below. You do not need to use the other methods described below if you have identified your drive as a genuine product.

samsung genuine SSD drive test
Samsung Magician Software – Please note the word Genuine under the serial number

There are however conditions for using the Samsung Magician Software successfully to check the authenticity of Samsung drives:

2.1 Internal Connection Only (SATA, M.2):

Your purchased Samsung SSD drive must be installed internally in your laptop or computer using SATA or M.2 NVME connection. If your drive is connected externally via a USB port or using adapters then it will not be detected by the software, or it will not show the full required authenticity details.

2.2 Retail Branded Models Only:

Only retail models are supported by this software, including: QVO, EVO, EVO Plus, SSD and PRO ranges only. As of 2024 the supported internal SSD drives are:

1. Samsung 990 Pro m.2 SSD hard drive.
2. Samsung 980 Pro m.2 SSD hard drive.
3. Samsung 970 Pro m.2 SSD hard drive.
4. Samsung 960 Pro m.2 SSD hard drive.
5. Samsung 860 Pro SATA SSD hard drive.
6. Samsung 850 Pro SATA SSD hard drive.
7. Samsung 840 Pro SATA SSD hard drive.
8. Samsung 970 Evo Plus m.2 SSD hard drive.
9. Samsung 990 Evo m.2 SSD hard drive.
10. Samsung 970 Evo m.2 SSD hard drive.
11. Samsung 960 Evo m.2 SSD hard drive.
12. Samsung 870 Evo SATA SSD hard drive.
13. Samsung 860 Evo SATA SSD hard drive.
14. Samsung 850 Evo SATA SSD hard drive.
15. Samsung 850 Evo m.2 SSD hard drive.
16. Samsung 850 Evo msata SSD had drive.
17. Samsung 980 m.2 SSD hard drive.
18. Samsung 870 QVO SATA SSD hard drive.
19. Samsung 860 QVO SATA SSD hard drive.

For a full up to date list of supported internal and external Samsung SSD drives please see the Samsung support website.

2.3 OEM Drives not Supported:

Samsung OEM SSD Drives are not supported by Samsung Magician Software. You may see some details about the drive but it will not be authenticated. OEM drives are variants of the Samsung retail range and marketed with different model numbers. These drives are used by major PC manufacturers such as HP, Lenovo, Dell, Acer and many others when assembling their computers.

OEM Samsung SSD drives models include: PM9A1, PM991A, PM863, PM883, SM863 and many others. In general, these drives are less frequently faked due to limited non-availability to end customers. You will see these drives removed from branded systems and sold separately. They represents a good value for money as they are at least identical in specs to retail models. On some business models their specs can exceed their retail counterparts. However, you still need to exercise caution when purchasing these drives.

3. SSD drive Packaging identification:

This is another significant method used to verify the authenticity of Samsung M.2 SSD drives. You need to observe the following in order to validate an authentic hard drive:

samsung ssd drive box content

3.1 Unique Serial Number on the Box:

Genuine Samsung SSD and M.2 hard drives are packaged in boxes that are sealed and containing the unique serial number of the drive together with the barcode printed on the box. When you open the packaging, you should compare the serial number printed on the drive and the on the box and if they match then you have a strong chance of a genuine SSD drive.

3.2 Instruction Booklets are included:

Instruction booklets are always included with the genuine product. If there are no instruction manual included in the packaging you have a fake Samsung SSD drive.

4. Electronic Chips identification:

If you have not managed to identify the authenticity of your Samsung drive using the above-described methods, then this is another robust way to identify if your Samsung SATA SSD or M.2 SSD drive is a genuine product. If you have a SATA drive then there are usually 3-4 screws on the back of drive behind the specs sticker that need to be removed to reveal the internal components of the drive. On the other hand M.2 SSD have a sticker that needs to be peeled to reveal the chips or controller identification. If Samsung is printed on the some of the electronic chips/controller then there is a high chance that your drive is genuine and made by Samsung.

samsung ssd chip identification

 

5. Crystal Disk Info Software:

This is a generic software that is used to display information about connected hard disk drives. If the information displayed does not show the correct brand and storage size then you have a counterfeit Samsung drive. However, if the drive information displayed are correct, it is not guaranteed that this is a genuine drive, therefore you need to use another method to confirm the authenticity of the tested Samsung SSD drive. This method is not a conclusive test which means that you need to use another method of identification for higher assurance that the drive is genuine.

ssd disk information check

6. Disk Speed Test:

This method is not conclusive as it relies on your PC having a decent performance. Using a hard drive speed test software such Crystal Disk Mark you can test the SSD data transfer speed. If the results show that data transfer is significantly less than the quoted data transfer figures by Samsung then there is a possibility that you may have a fake Samsung SSD drive. For example, in the figure below the speed data seems realistic for Samsung 860 Evo SATA drive, as the maximum speed expected of the drive is around 500 MB/S. However, this method is not conclusive so you still need to consider the other methods described above for more accuracy.

ssd disk speed test

7. Disk Storage Capacity Test:

Fake SSD drives display the correct claimed capacity when run under Microsoft Windows OS. However, this can be a fake capacity as the capacity number can be programmed into the firmware of the SSD drive and can be different from the real capacity. Therefore, there is a need to verify that the Samsung SSD drive has the correct storage size.

To verify disk capacity you need to use a third party software such as H2TESTW. The software will simply write 1GB files into the SSD drive and try to fill the whole storage area. If errors are generated then you know the storage capacity is fake. This test will only confirm the storage capacity but not the authenticity of the Samsung brand.

ssd storage capacity test

8. Summary:

In this article we showed you how to check if the Samsung SSD drive that you have purchased is a genuine drive. Samsung SSD drives are widely regarded as the best and most reliable brand and hence used in business class for demanding applications. Samsung SSD drives are also very popular with gaming computers as it provides cutting edge performance for the demanding modern games.

Due to its popularity, Samsung SSD drives are widely copied and sold cheaply online. Using the various methods described earlier you can be assured that your product is original and hence your data is safe. The most accurate method of testing is by using the official Samsung Magician Software, where the word genuine is displayed below the serial number of the drive. The next most accurate test is the packaging contents examination and the chips/controller identification. However, there are other methods that can also be used to distinguish  genuine vs fake Samsung SSD drive but you need to be careful as they are not conclusive therefore you need to use these other methods in combinations to increase test reliability.