Counterfeit Calculator Identification Guide

How to Spot a Fake Casio scientific calculator

You can identify a counterfeit by checking the hardware, performance, and official digital authentication methods. 

  • The QR Code Test (Most Reliable):
    • On models like the Casio FX82AUPLUSII2 press MODE, then 0 to display a QR code on the screen. The FX991ESPLUS2 packaging has a hologram sticker with a QR code. Scanning it should lead to the Casio verification page.

Or on the calculator follow the FX82AUPLUSII2 instructions.

    • Scan this with your smartphone. A genuine product will link you to an Official Casio Authentication Page stating "Likely to be a genuine product."
    • Red Flag: If the QR code doesn't scan, leads to a generic website, or shows a warning message, it’s likely a fake.
  • The Solar Panel Check:FX991ESPLUS2
    • Many fakes have a "dummy" solar panel made of plastic with no real wires.
    • Test: Cover the solar panel with your hand while in a well-lit room. On a genuine Casio, a small sun icon on the screen should disappear or the screen might dim slightly. If there is no change or no sun icon at all, the panel is non-functional.
  • Physical Build Quality:
    • Keys: Genuine keys feel crisp and use high-quality printing. Counterfeits often have blurry fonts, misaligned text, or "mushy" buttons that fail to register inputs.
    • Casio calculators are stress tested to ensure they can withstand external pressures from being carried in a bag or dropped from a height.
  • Performance and Accuracy:
    • Fakes often use inferior chips, making them noticeably slower (sometimes 2–3x slower) at solving complex equations or integrals.
    • Accuracy: Some fakes have firmware errors that produce mathematically incorrect answers for specific complex functions.
  • Unapproved Functions
    • Counterfeit calculators may include functions that are not approved for use in NZQA examinations. The use of a non-approved calculator in NZQA examination may breach assessment regulations and could result in penalties ranging from a zero mark for the examination to cancellation of NCEA results. 

How to Avoid Fakes

  1. Buy from Authorised Sellers: Purchase only from reputable retailers or official Casio storefronts. Be extremely cautious of non-reputable listings on marketplaces like Trade Me, eBay, AliExpress, or third-party Amazon sellers.