How to distinguish a Chinese iPhone from the original. Instructions: how to distinguish a new iPhone from a fake

Apple products are very popular all over the world today. In some countries (for example, the USA), thanks to attractive operator contracts, iPhone smartphones are one of the most common brands of mobile devices. In others (Russia and the countries of the post-Soviet space), a slightly different attitude has historically developed, and for many, owning such a device is considered an indicator of style.

This is not surprising: you can’t buy a brand new iPhone here for $200, and the income level is somewhat different from North America. At the same time, the stylish design of smartphones makes them attractive to consumers. Not every product from other companies, even more expensive ones, can boast of a combination of excellent functionality with sophisticated forms and thoughtful details down to the smallest detail.

Against this background, numerous mid-range Chinese manufacturers and semi-handicraft enterprises are massively producing smartphones and mobile phones that look very similar (or even identical) to original Apple devices. If, when purchasing on an online trading platform in the Middle Kingdom or a serious store, they honestly tell you that the device is a copy of the iPhone, then when purchasing a device second-hand or at a small retail outlet, there is a fairly high risk of encountering scammers who will sell such a product under the guise of a real Apple product. .

How to avoid becoming their victim and determine whether what you have in front of you is an original or a copy - our short article will help. We will list main criteria, which can be used to distinguish an original iPhone from a fake:

• Logo

The famous bitten apple, the Apple logo placed on the back cover, are designed with very high quality in original products. This is not a surface layer of paint or an ordinary sticker. The poor quality of this element allows you to quickly distinguish a cheap fake iPhone from the original. However, this does not always work with more expensive replica models.

• Brand store

App store icon

iPhone applications are distributed through the proprietary AppStore repository. When you launch this program, you are taken to the Apple software directory. Due to the closed source code of the iOS operating system, third-party developers cannot use it in their products, so counterfeits are based on a primitive home-made platform for Chinese processors or the Android OS. In the first case, launching the Appstore icon does anything but go to the store; in the second, the user ends up in the PlayMarket of a competing system from Google. Checking the store makes it possible to quickly distinguish a copy from the original.

• Interface

The iOS graphical shell has been carefully designed by designers. If you see angular fonts, blurry icons, inaccuracies and typos in signatures in your smartphone menu, this is a sure sign of a fake.

• Housing materials and design

You can distinguish an iPhone from a fake by its appearance. The body must be made of high-quality metal and plastic. All silvery elements are metal, not paint or spraying. The touch screen is covered with glass. You can check the material by placing your phone, for example, to your ear. Glass and metal will be a little cold, while plastic will be warmer.

The back cover of iPhones is non-removable; the SIM card slot is located at the end of the device and is hidden by a cover. If the design is different, rest assured that it is a fake.

• iTunes

When connected to a computer with iTunes installed, the smartphone should be detected by this program. If everything is connected correctly, but the software does not see the device, this is a sure way to distinguish a non-original device.

• Serial number

The most reliable way to distinguish an iPhone from a copy is to check it through the official website. All Apple products undergo registration in the manufacturer's database. You can use your iPhone's serial number to verify its authenticity.

Enter the code in the field and receive brief information about the device: model, technical support information, etc. To do this, follow the link https://selfsolve.apple.com/agreementWarrantyDynamic.do and enter the device serial number. You can find it in the settings menu of your smartphone, in the “About this device” section, which is located in the “Basic” subcategory.

Finally, we list the functional features that iPhones can never have (at least, as of July 2015):

• support for 2 SIM cards;
• connectors for a flash drive;
• microUSB interface;
• radio receiver;
• removable back panel;
• touch buttons “home”, “back” and “tasks” at the bottom of the screen (like Android OS);
• TV.

Knowing all these features, you will never fall for the bait of unscrupulous sellers and will always be able to distinguish a genuine, original Apple iPhone smartphone from its Chinese counterfeit.

If you buy a new iPhone 8 256 Gb Rose Gold on the day of release, you still run the risk of running into a fake. A box packed in film is not at all a guarantee that you are not buying a “Frankenstein” assembled from spare parts from a dozen dead iPhones.

To bookmarks

In this large-scale guide, representatives of the service damprodam.ru, which deals with the purchase and trade-in of iPhones, talked about how to distinguish the correct new iPhone from a fake. And in general, what iPhones can be found on the “counters” of online stores in Russia.

Option No. 1: “white” iPhone (PCT)

The most “legal” option for purchasing a smartphone is a “white” phone with a PCT or EAC certificate. Many people get confused, but Rostest and EAC are absolutely similar certifications (the latter unites the Russian Federation, Balarus and Kazakhstan). The PCT marking should always be on the device box:

A phone with a PCT is a phone officially imported into Russia, which is sold at a recommended retail price, supports all necessary Russian frequencies and works with all Russian SIM cards. A phone officially imported into Russia must have instructions in Russian.

Many people think that Rostest physically tests imported phones. In fact, no tests are performed. The “PCT” sticker means that the supplier has notified the FSB that the devices contain encryption elements. Plus, I paid customs duty - a tax for importing goods. And finally, I issued a certificate of compliance of the device with the technical regulations of the Customs Union.

The main advantage of the “white” phone is that the iPhone with the PCT/EAC marking has a 2-year warranty, not 1 year.

Pros:

Guaranteed performance with all Russian operators and LTE frequencies

Minuses:

The phone is 10-20% more expensive than a “gray” device

2. iPhone from Europe (“without PCT”)

The second “quality” version of the iPhone are models that were brought by you personally or by a seller from Europe. They work fully in Russia, but have only a one-year warranty. But they are also serviced by official Russian Apple service centers.

Physically, they are no different from the “white” iPhones, they were made in the same factories, but they did not pay customs duties for them. And therefore they are 10-20% cheaper. If you buy an iPhone 7, you can save up to 10 thousand rubles.

But when buying any “gray” phone, you always need to check the model of the device (and know which region corresponds to which model). Some foreign iPhone models may not support Russian LTE frequencies or may not work with Russian cellular operators at all.

Pros:

- “Gray” phones from Europe are 10-20% cheaper than “white” ones, but technically they are no different from them

Minuses:

You support the informal market and do not pay additional customs duties

The warranty on the “gray” phone is not two years, but one year

How can I tell which country my iPhone is from?

Information about the country is carried by the last two Latin letters in your model code. You can find the code on the box or in the settings menu at: “Settings – General – About this device.”

What do the letters next to the model number mean:

A – CanadaAB – Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Jordan, EgyptAE – Saudi Arabia, UAE, QatarB – Great Britain and IrelandBG – Bulgaria and so on. For Russia these are the letters RU

3. iPhone from the USA, UAE, Asia and other countries except Europe

Non-European phones can be a problem even if the device is “verbally” unlocked and should work worldwide. There are also often problems with the warranty for such devices. Apple's official warranty only works in the country where it was officially released for sale - and Russia, according to Apple's classification, only belongs to the European region.

It's a little easier if you buy an iPhone for the US market from a Russian store. Then it is covered by the warranty of the store itself. If the store closes, then the problem of the warranty claim falls on your shoulders. In rare cases, such phones may come with a worldwide warranty, which is also 1 year.

There are cases when iPhones locked to an American operator cannot update to the new version of iOS. Or they simply stop working with Russian SIM cards. True, Apple is now moving towards “equalizing” the characteristics for all countries, and such problems more often arise with early models (up to the 5th). But there is still a risk of problems. The list of models supported in Russia can be found below.

Pros:

The price is usually 10-20% lower

Minuses:

It is necessary to check the model of the device before purchasing

The warranty applies only to the region of purchase. We bought an iPhone for the US market - the warranty is valid only in the US, even if the phone itself was purchased on Gorbushka

There is a risk of blocking or inoperability with Russian SIM cards or LTE frequencies

How to find out your iPhone model?

Your phone model is also indicated on the box:

And on the phone itself, on the back side:

Which models are adapted for Russia (repair or replacement of other models may be refused, and they may also have problems with LTE or cellular communications): iPhone 7 And iPhone 7 Plus. Models A1778 and A1784 iPhone 6s And iPhone 6s Plus. Models A1688 and A1687 iPhone SE. Models A1723 and A1724 iPhone 6 And iPhone 6Plus. Models A1586 and A1524 iPhone 5s. Model A1457.

4. Refurbished by Apple

“Refurbished” iPhones are devices that were previously sold, but then returned to Apple due to a defect. Or which users exchanged for new ones as part of promotions, or returned within the first couple of weeks of use. The thing about a “real” refurbished iPhone is that it has undergone a full screen, case and battery replacement at the Apple factory.

Such models are usually 15-25% cheaper. Moreover, both new models and those that are no longer produced.

All refurbished iPhones have the same warranty as regular iPhones - that is, a year (in Russia - two), plus free telephone consultations in the first 90 days. If any warranty incident occurs with the Refurbished iPhone, Apple will repair it free of charge at an authorized service center or simply return the money.

How does the process of “restoring” such an iPhone take place at Apple factories?

All iPhones that fall under the restoration procedure undergo thorough diagnostics and are subject to performance tests according to the same requirements as tests for new products. All problematic parts in the device are replaced, and a new case and display are also installed. Next, the iPhone is returned marked “like new” to store shelves with an official warranty.

A refurbished product is no different in appearance from a new one, with the exception of packaging. All such products now come in plain white boxes with an "Apple Certified Refurbished" guarantee.

This iPhone receives a new serial number, and a new number is assigned to each replaced part. The latest software is installed on the gadget. Each product comes with an original operating system and a standard software package.

Pros:

The phone is 15-20% cheaper

The device has been fully tested and major parts replaced at the official Apple factory

Minuses:

You are buying a phone that has already been restored. Even at the official Apple factory.

Where can you see which iPhone you are buying: new or refurbished?

Go to your phone settings: “Settings → General → About this device.” The model number is displayed there. You need to check the first letters at the beginning of the serial number:

“M” means that the gadget is new, purchased in a store.

“N” - initially registered in warehouse stocks as a replacement model, may be a new device, or maybe “refurbished”.

“F” means that the smartphone is definitely one of the restored ones, that is, “refurbished”.

5. Chinese Refurbished

It's an iPhone clone. The Chinese or underground services are buying up “dead” iPhones. They take the only part that cannot be faked - the motherboard - and add real parts to it, such as a working battery, a new-looking but plastic non-original case. Next, they pack them in a new box, which they make themselves. They put a kit there in the form of Chinese headphones and a charger, and sell it under the guise of a new device. Those who have less impudence - under the guise of a Refurbished phone.

It is not easy for a non-professional to distinguish such a phone from the original. What to look for first: poor-quality box and packaging, creeping fonts, small gaps between the case and the screen and other visual flaws.

Minuses:

This phone is one big minus

Pros:

None

Once again, briefly:

1. “White” PCT models purchased in Russia from official partners have a warranty of not one, but two years.

2. Models purchased in Russia in unofficial stores (of which there are plenty on Yandex.Market) or in Europe, but with a model number adapted for Russia, have a 1-year warranty. They can be repaired in Russia at the SC in the same way as PCT models.

3. Models from the USA and other countries (except Europe) can be repaired under warranty only in the country where this model is officially sold. Well, or for money at any service center. In rare cases, such phones may come with a worldwide warranty, which is also 1 year.

4. Never trust only the appearance of the phone and its box. Check IMEI, model number, call statistics.

PR-disclaimer as the authors of the post: don’t fool yourself and trade-in your old phones at damprodam.ru If you have a seven, we’ll give you at least 30 thousand for it, even for 32 Gb. We won’t press you for a discount on your purchase, promise a meeting “in the center of the hall” and not show up. Valuation of an old smartphone immediately on the website online. Then the master himself comes to you. You only pay the difference between the old and new iPhone.

There are different types of fakes: some can be seen from a kilometer away, while others are practically indistinguishable from the original, especially for an inexperienced user. If this is your first iPhone, and you haven’t used smartphones in general or have used them little, it’s better not to save money and buy a new iPhone in a store.

It’s worth using the device for a while before meeting with the seller. Take it from your friends, twirl it in your hands, go online, play - in general, get at least a little used to it. Then, when purchasing, you will immediately notice something is wrong. This tip will help you identify an iPhone 6s that is genuine and not fake.

1. Obvious hack: microUSB, memory card slot, antenna, removable cover, two SIM cards

Such fakes are now very rare, but still check your smartphone for very obvious discrepancies with the original. There has never been a microUSB connector in the iPhone; the iPhone 6s uses Lightning. In the photo Lightning is on top, microUSB is on the bottom.

Leave immediately if it turns out that the iPhone they are trying to sell you has a removable back cover or has a slot for memory cards. Also remember that there were no Apple smartphones with two SIM cards: only fakes can have two (or even three) SIM cards.

2. Box

Often, the boxes of counterfeit iPhones are slightly different from those in which the original ones are packaged. It is easy to distinguish the original iPhone 6s from the box. Carefully watch the video of Apple blogger Wylsacom unboxing the iPhone 6s. Pay attention to all the details of the box and packaging. If they sell you something different, don't buy it!

3. Build quality

Apple pays close attention to ensuring that its smartphones are assembled perfectly. “Counterfeiters” often don’t care about this. Take the original smartphone in your hands, twist it, press it in different places - see how it behaves. Then do the same with the iPhone you are purchasing. If it creaks, wobbles and almost falls apart in your hands, this is an obvious fake.

4. Operating system

If the smartphone looks similar to the original one, this does not mean that you no longer have to worry. The case and box are relatively easy to fake, but with the software part it’s more difficult. Fake iPhones use the Android operating system, which is styled like iOS.

The seller may say that he has already unlinked his Apple ID from the smartphone, and it will not be possible to check the system. There are two ways to avoid this:

1. agree with the seller that he will bring an activated iPhone 6s, and if you buy it, he will simply unlink it in front of you;
2. Create your Apple ID before purchasing, and use it to activate your iPhone when you meet.

For everything to work out, you need to meet the seller where there is internet. Make an appointment in a cafe with public Wi-Fi or share the Internet from your smartphone.

To identify an iPhone 6s and not a Chinese counterfeit, go to the App Store. If it's not the App Store, but Google Play, it's a fake. In the screenshots below, the App Store is on the left, Google Play is on the right.

Check the IMEI in Settings (General - About device), on the box and on the back of the smartphone. The number must match in all three cases.

Punch the serial number, look for it in Settings - About the device. Enter it in a special section of the official Apple website. Here you can check the smartphone model, whether it is still under warranty and whether it is activated.

5. SIM card

Pre-cut your SIM card to the nano SIM format or get a new set from your mobile operator office. After checking, insert the SIM card into the iPhone and check if it works: make a call or access the Internet via a mobile network. The smartphone may be locked to an American operator, and then it will not work with our SIM cards.

How to distinguish an original iPhone 6s from a fake

1. Make sure that the smartphone does not have microUSB, a slot for memory cards, an antenna, a second SIM, and that the back cover is not removable.
2. Check if the box is original.
3. Check the build quality of your smartphone.
4. Make sure your smartphone runs on iOS and not Android in disguise.
5. Compare the IMEI on the box, the case and from the settings - it should match.
6. Enter the device serial number on the official Apple website.
7. Make sure that the smartphone makes calls and accesses the Internet with your SIM card.

iPhone has long become a popular product in the market. Very often you can find fakes that are similar to the original. More recently, it was possible to distinguish a fake quite easily: a crack in the case, a poor-quality image on the screen. Now craftsmen have learned to copy the gadget almost perfectly. However, there are several ways to help distinguish a Chinese iPhone.

If you have absolutely no time or desire to independently check the authenticity of the iPhone, then you can purchase your treasured smartphone from an official dealer. Of course, the price will be significant, but you can be completely sure that the device is original. You can also buy an iPhone directly on the company's official website.

What to do when there is no money to purchase a new smartphone, but there is a chance to buy a used iPhone? Before purchasing, you need to check the device to understand whether it is original or not.

Checking the serial number

When buying an iPhone, you need to take a phone with Internet access with you. With it you can check the gadget.

1. First you need to go to settings, select “Basic”, then “About device” and look at the serial number.
2. Open the link “https://selfsolve.apple.com/agreementWarrantyDynamic.do”.
3. On the website you will need to enter the serial number in the appropriate field, after which the necessary information will appear.
4. If the iPhone is original, then 3 points will be shown, but if it is a fake, then a message will appear that the serial number is incorrect.

Note! You should check the serial number several times to ensure that you do not make a mistake when entering it.

Checking the operating system

You shouldn’t check the OS on your gadget just based on visual signs. On Chinese fakes, iOS looks almost the same as on the original. However, you can still see some shortcomings. For example, very often in the Notes application there is an inscription: “No note.” Before purchasing, it is advisable to go to the settings, go to “Basic”, and then “About the device”. Next you need to pay attention to the version, serial number, model. They should look similar to the screenshot below. Although this is also not an ironclad guarantee, since this too can be faked.

Another verification method

A fairly reliable way to check is to connect your iPhone to iTunes. You must first download the software from the official website and connect the gadget. If the program detects the device, then everything is fine.

In a word, when buying a smartphone, you need to thoroughly check it so as not to become another “lucky” Chinese owner.

Modern gadgets are being counterfeited more and more often. And therefore every buyer should watch what he is buying. No one is safe from fakes. Not critical if we are talking about an inexpensive device. But if you have to spend money on luxury gadgets, encountering counterfeits will bring a lot of unpleasant emotions. All this can be avoided. We will try to answer how to distinguish a Chinese iPhone from the original. Apple products are counterfeited very often. But, following simple rules, the user will be able to distinguish a fake from the original.

Price

Let's start with the simplest thing - the price. Apple produces expensive devices. The newer the phone, the more expensive it is. In Russia they even began to complain about the cost of the iPhone 8.

How to distinguish a Chinese iPhone from the original? If the price of the device is too low, it indicates that this is a fake. Chinese analogues are indeed sold very cheaply. At the cost of an original iPhone, it is almost impossible to find a fake in Russia.

Equipment

How to distinguish a Chinese iPhone 5S from the original? It is worth paying attention to the box from the device and the packaging. Often it is in these areas that punctures are detected.

The iPhone box is made of durable and high-quality cardboard. There should be an inscription "iPhone" on the sides.

The original equipment is standard. Namely:

• headphones;
• cable for connecting to a PC;
• charging block;
• instructions;
• clip for SIM-cards;
• Apple stickers (2 pieces);
• warranty card.

All components will be branded. They are neatly folded in a box. No chaos or scattered components.

Weight

How to distinguish a Chinese iPhone 7 from the original? Just like any other version of Apple smartphones. Counterfeits are released with the same errors and shortcomings. Unfortunately, not everyone pays attention to them.

To avoid buying a Chinese counterfeit iPhone, the buyer must pick up the phone and inspect it. Usually counterfeit devices are lighter. This rule also applies to the charger. Ideally, its weight is about 60 grams. If the “charger” in the iPhone box seems weightless, this is a fake.

External flaws

How to distinguish a Chinese iPhone 4S from the original? You should carefully consider the device. Without this, it will not be possible to bring the idea to life.

If you look closely at counterfeit Apple products, you will notice that they have a number of flaws. Experienced buyers will immediately recognize a fake. After all, the original iPhones:

• no support for multiple SIMs;
• no retractable antenna;
• no radio;
• There is no slot for a memory card.

Accordingly, if the user finds support for the listed features, he is faced with a fake. Also, the iPhone does not have a Mobile TV program.

Lid

Another feature that you will have to pay attention to is the body of the phone. From it it is sometimes possible to understand which smartphone a person is dealing with.

How to distinguish a Chinese iPhone from the original? Often, the case of fakes does not look very neat, and the back panel is easily removed. This shouldn't happen. Original iPhones are monoblocks that can only be opened by a specialist.

Headset

How to distinguish a Chinese iPhone 5 from the original? As we have already said, the device must have a complete set. Sometimes fakes are also packed to the maximum. But this does not mean that the buyer is looking at the original.

operating system

It would be a good idea to not only inspect the product you are purchasing, but also include it. If the seller refuses this service, most likely we have a fake. But why? How to distinguish a Chinese iPhone from a fake?

It is necessary to carefully study the operating system of the device. Apple officially releases smartphones running iOS. This is unique software.

Fake smartphones run either unknown Chinese operating systems or Android. At the same time, translation into Russian very often encounters errors. And the operating system itself contains Chinese characters.

By application

But that is not all. Today, owners of Apple devices advise each other on another rather interesting method of checking a device for originality. To do this you will have to turn on the phone.

How to distinguish a Chinese iPhone from the original? The buyer just needs to open the AppStore. The original smartphone will open the corresponding application. It may request data from AppleID.

Counterfeits also have an AppStore. Only when you launch it does the Play Market open. This is a clear sign that a person is buying a fake. Original iPhones do not face this problem.

Settings

Don't rush and turn off the device. In order to answer how to distinguish the Chinese iPhone 6 from the original, you can go a different way. Faster and more efficient.

This is about checking your phone settings. Original Apple products have an “About the device” item. It contains the serial number of the device and its model. Chinese analogues do not provide such information.

iTunes and checks

Many owners of "apple" devices use another trick. It helps to quickly understand what kind of device is in front of us - an original or a fake.

It's about connecting to iTunes. It is enough to connect the iPhone to the PC and run the appropriate program. A genuine "apple" device is recognized in iTunes. When connecting a Chinese analogue, the software will not "see" the phone.

number check

Particularly cunning buyers can 100% find out what kind of device is in front of them. The technique proposed below is not entirely convenient, but it is guaranteed to indicate whether the person in front of him is a fake or not.

We are talking about checking the serial number of the "apple" phone for service. To bring the idea to life, you will have to connect to the Web.

How to distinguish a Chinese iPhone from the original? Required:

1. Go to "Settings" - "General" - "About device" on your phone.
2. Click on "Serial number".
3. Copy the resulting combination.
4. Open the website checkcoverage.apple.com.
5. Enter the "serial number" into it.
6. Click on the "Check" button.

The screen will display information about whether the device is supported by Apple. If not, then we have a Chinese fake. Otherwise the serial number will be verified.

We verify the data

When purchasing Apple devices, you should check all possible data about the device. After all, Apple devices are counterfeited extremely often.

Attentive buyers always check the data on the boxes with the information in the smartphone operating system. If some components do not match, the user has a fake iPhone in his hands. It's not as difficult as it seems!

Refurbished or fake?

We found out how to distinguish a Chinese iPhone from the original. But today, counterfeits are found not only among new devices. Stores counterfeit refurbished Apple phones.

How to detect a fake? You have to remember that:

• the restored iPhone has an ideal case, a new battery and a screen that fits tightly to the rest of the components;
• on the box with the iPhone there is no engraving of the phone, but there is the inscription “Refurbished” in English;
• the original device is supplied in high-quality boxes and fully equipped;
• All connectors on a genuine Apple phone are clean;
• The camera of a real smartphone is located exactly in the center of the designated area on the back panel of the device.

In addition, the original refurbished iPhone comes with a one-year warranty. Therefore, you can check by serial number. All of the above techniques will help you make the right choice.