If you just bought an iPhone and you have doubts whether it is original from Appleyou should know that there are very simple ways to check it. If at first it raises doubts, it is a clear symptom, even if its defects may be of factory origin and simply be a defective unit.
Fake iPhones are unfortunately one of the most common scams and They usually occur when shopping in unreliable stores. or on second-hand buying and selling portals. That’s why we recommend testing certain elements that will ultimately determine whether the iPhone is real or not.
How to Tell if an iPhone is Genuine Apple
From visual inspection to testing iPhone capabilities. Top tips to check if iPhone is fake or not.
Examine the design and its qualities
There are some very well built iPhone copies, but others are noisy. It is recommended to take a look at the Apple website to know what each model looks like and therefore take a look at your device.
During these visual inspections, it is also advisable test iphone buttons and whether these work well or even if there are problems. Muting the terminal is often a simple fix against counterfeits and does not provide the real utility it should.
Check the serial number
The iPhone serial number or IMEI alone won’t tell you anything, but it will tell you when You enter it on the Apple website under the pretext of checking if it has a warranty. Once you enter this website, you have to enter the number and if a message appears warning you that the number does not exist, it will be clear to you that it is a fake.
Now we must warn you that Some scammers use real serial numbersso finding out that your serial number exists is not an indication of anything either. Rather, this recommendation is to make sure that if the number is fake, you can immediately know that the iPhone is also fake.
Open the App Store
Fake iPhones often look similar to iOS, but Basically, they are prettified versions of Android. A strange but effective way to check this is to open the App Store, since this app store is only available on original iPhones. If when you open it, Google Play or any other strange-looking store appears, there is no doubt: it is a fake iPhone.
Test performance
iPhones usually have powerful processors to perform all types of tasks reliably, even on slightly older models. In fake iPhones, this is an obvious reduction, since they usually add low-performance chips. It is therefore advisable open multiple apps at once, interact with them, and navigate menus of the device.
If you notice that it slows down very obviously and even freezes, it is probably a fake iPhone. Again, we remind you that it could be a simple factory defect, although the truth is that if there are other indications that it is a fake, it is very likely that it is.
Connect AirPods
Animation that should appear on iPhone when you open nearby AirPods (Image: Apple)
You may not have AirPods, but if you have a family member or friend who can lend them to you for the occasion, they can be useful for verifying the authenticity of the iPhone. And that’s it When you open the case near the iPhone, an animation should appear. If nothing shows up, the chances that the iPhone is fake (or even the AirPods are fake) increase dramatically.
Of course, as we already said when talking about the serial number, scammers sometimes manage to play their cards right and imitate these animations. So, don’t trust it completely if the animation appears and much less if you notice that it is not exactly the same as the one that appears on other iPhones. This technique will only serve to check if it is false when it does not appear.
Test the camera
Like the processor, cameras are usually of poor quality in fake iPhones and hence it is advisable try them in all types of scenarios. In good conditions, backlight, low light, selfies…
If you notice that the resolution is generally very poor or even that despite several lenses, only one works, you will find another indication that the iPhone is fake. This is especially noticeable when it comes to zoom, because counterfeits are usually not equipped with telephoto lenses.
Go to an official Apple store
This is the last recommendation because it is the most tedious and can sometimes be more complex because of the travel if you do not have a store nearby. In the Apple Store and other authorized stores (including technical services) have tools to verify originality. They will be able to definitively dispel your doubts.
What to do if you find that the iPhone is a fake
If you have already confirmed that the iPhone you purchased is a raw copy, it is recommended to take some steps to report it. We do not know if you will be able to recover the money invested due to the complexity of these cases, since there is often a whole network of criminals behind it, but at least you will be able to testify so that the investigation can be carried out.
Report on the platform where you purchased it
If you purchased the iPhone in peer-to-peer sales platforms type Wallapop, Vibbo or Milanuncios, it is advisable to report the user who sold it to you and report that it is a fraud. And even if this user no longer exists (they usually delete it after each sale), it is still important that you contact the platform to report the incident.
Report to the police
This is a complete scam and as such it is recommended report in a barracks. It is recommended to take the fake iPhone as evidence and also collect other information related to the scammer: phone numbers, profile on buying and selling platforms, screenshots, etc. Everything will be useful to file the complaint.
Cover image | Bagus Hernawan on Unsplash
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