Samsung 870 EVO Fake Drives Circulate With 120GB Real Capacity

Counterfeit Samsung 870 EVO SSDs are circulating with fake 2TB labels but only 120GB real capacity. Learn how to verify authenticity and avoid data loss.

Counterfeit Samsung 870 EVO drives are flooding the market, posing a direct risk to buyers seeking reliable storage. These fake units mimic the appearance of genuine products but contain significantly reduced internal capacity. Users who purchase these drives face immediate data loss once the hidden storage limit is exceeded. This alert matters because standard retail channels may inadvertently sell these defective devices to unsuspecting consumers.

Close up of a 2.5 inch SATA SSD drive — Counterfeit drives often look identical to genuine Samsung 870 EVO units.

Counterfeit units report 2TB size but fail after 120GB

The counterfeit devices are physically identical to the legitimate 2.5-inch SATA SSDs in terms of casing and connector layout. Software tools like CrystalDiskInfo incorrectly identify the drive model as 'SSD 2TB' rather than the authentic 870 EVO name. This software-level deception allows the fakes to bypass basic visual inspection and initial system checks.

Internal testing reveals that the fake drives use a Realtek RayMX RM1135T controller instead of Samsung's proprietary hardware. The actual usable capacity is approximately 120GB, despite the drive reporting a 2TB size to the operating system. Data writing works normally until the 120GB threshold is reached, at which point speeds drop to 0KB/s and writes fail completely.

These counterfeit drives can pass basic benchmark tests because the SATA 6Gbps interface standard limits the maximum transfer speed. The limited bandwidth masks the true performance deficiency during short-duration tests, making the drive appear functional. Verification requires using Samsung Magician software or third-party tools like H2testw to stress-test the full reported capacity.

AKIBA warns consumers to be vigilant during periods of high SSD demand when counterfeiters often target price surges. The source notes that these fake drives are difficult to distinguish by appearance alone, requiring technical verification. Buyers should always verify drive authenticity using official manufacturer tools before relying on the storage for critical data.