LG Electronics, one of the leading smartphone-makers in the world, said Sunday it would crack down on counterfeiters, especially those copying its flagship premium smartphone G3 in China. 


According to the company, several G3 phones are now sold for about 100,000 won ($90) ― almost one-fifth the starting retail price ― via Chinese online shopping sites like Taobao and Baidu.

The vendors are even promoting the phones along with an additional replaceable battery and a certification of authentication, LG said.

Even though the phones may look authentic at a glance, they are actually made of cheap materials and are equipped with clumsy chips and batteries. 

LG said it would take stern action along with the Chinese police against the illegal fakes.

Counterfeiting of the G phones seems to be on the rise as it has gained a reputation as an alternative to Apple’s iPhone and Samsung’s Galaxy phones in recent years.

With the upcoming debut of its successor planned for the first half of this year, the G3 was named the best smartphone during the Mobile World Congress, the mobile industry’s largest gathering, held in March in Barcelona.

“We will ramp up efforts to prevent damage to consumers from fake phones,” said an LG official.

By Lee Ji-yoon (jylee@heraldcorp.com)