How to distinguish an original iPhone 5 from a fake. How to distinguish a real iPhone Xs from a fake

A few years ago, a fake iPhone was easily identified by the characteristic cracking sound of the case and a blurry image. Now craftsmen have learned to make devices that are outwardly indistinguishable from the original. Therefore, we have to understand a little deeper. To learn how to distinguish an original iPhone 5S from a fake, read our article.

Pay attention to the packaging

First, the box must be sealed in transparent polyethylene. There may be cases where the packaging is opened to check if the iPhone is turned on. But in such a situation, part of the film still remains, and the delivery service notifies the customer about the inspection.

Secondly, coated cardboard is used as the box material. Corners and seams are free of defects and there are no dents or damage to the surface. The apple is bitten on the right. The logo and side inscriptions “iPhone” are made using embossing. At the bottom of the box there is a sticker indicating the IMEI and serial number of the device.

Sticker with serial number and IMEI

Check using Apple service

This method allows you to detect even a high-quality fake with 100% probability. To do this you will need a PC or laptop with iTunes. The program is available on the official website. When you connect the original iPhone, it should detect it and sync with it.

Appearance

Usually the fake body is made of poor quality plastic. The original models use aluminum. Color: grey, white and gold. On the back cover there is the inscription “iPhone, Designed by Apple in California, Assembled in China.”

This is what the inscription on the back cover of the original iPhone 5S should look like

The model number and certification marks are also indicated here. The nano-sized SIM card slot is on the right. There is also a serial number on the carriage, which must be identical to what is indicated on the box.

The original iPhone does not have an antenna, memory cards, a stylus, two SIM cards, or USB or mini-USB charging. In addition, it is a one-piece monoblock. Therefore, the back cover can only be removed by unscrewing the fastening screws. It is worth paying attention to the weight. The lightweight device is a fake.

No USB or mini-USB

Internal differences

The original iPhone does not slow down, has a bright display, clear sound, clear photos, and a menu in Russian. Moreover, the meaning of words, case and other characteristics do not cause suspicion. You also need to go to “Settings” - “General” - “About device” and find the serial number. It must match what is indicated on the box and SIM card carriage.

Serial number and IMEI

In the settings there should be the items “Software Update” and “Siri”. They are usually absent in fakes.

One hundred percent verification is the AppStore. It will detect Android even if it is very well disguised as iOS. If the user selects this service, the fake will redirect him to GooglePlay.

Left - Google Play, right - AppStore

How to distinguish an original from a fake by serial number?

To do this, you will need a phone or tablet with Internet access.

1. You need to go to your iPhone in “Settings” - “General” - “About this device” and find the serial number.
2. On another device, go to the official Apple website in the section for checking serial numbers.
3. Enter the serial number and click the “Continue” button.
4. If the iPhone is original, the service will provide information about it. Otherwise, the message “Sorry, this serial number is not correct” will appear. Please check your data and try again."

It is worth paying attention to the number itself. If it starts with "5K", it indicates a refurbished unit. It is possible that the iPhone was assembled from parts of various smartphones, after which it was tested and resold.

Model components

The complete contents of the box are as follows:

• iPhone (new sealed in film),
• headphones (packed in film),
• charger with data cable (packed in film),
• documents and a paper clip to open the SIM card carriage.

Everything should be neatly laid out. Unlike hard and plastic counterfeits, the original wires are soft and rubberized. The hard parts of the headphones and connectors are smooth, without sagging or sharp corners.

Things that shouldn't scare you

These are not signs of counterfeit:

1. Hieroglyphs on the packaging and the inscription “Made in China”. These signs are typical for original devices manufactured at Apple factories in China, or intended for sale in Asian markets. A Russian user will not experience any problems using such an iPhone.
2. The phone does not require activation when turned on. This is possible if the seller carried out this operation before the sale, so as not to waste time during the transaction. If doubts remain, then you need to use the iTunes method given above.

How to distinguish the original iPhone at first glance? (table)

Video: 4 characteristics that help identify even a high-quality fake

The buyer can be sure of the originality of the iPhone 5S only if he orders the device from an official dealer. In other cases, you need to pay attention to the signs described above. Knowing about them, the user can easily distinguish a low-quality copy from the original.

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 unit;
• instructions;
• SIM card clip;
• 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 has 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's 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 whether the device in front of us is real or fake.

We are talking about connecting to iTunes. All you need to do is connect your iPhone to your PC and launch the appropriate program. A genuine Apple device is recognized in iTunes. When connecting a Chinese analogue, the software will not “see” the phone.

Number verification

Particularly cunning buyers can 100% figure 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 an Apple phone for service. To bring your idea to life, you will have to connect to the Internet.

How to distinguish a Chinese iPhone from the original? You will need:

1. On your phone, go to “Settings” - “General” - “About device”.
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.

Information will appear on the screen indicating 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.

The Chinese have learned how to make fake iPhones at the highest level, and what was previously determined visually (presence of antennas, dual SIM cards, plastic case, operating system - Android) can no longer be determined without certain knowledge. In addition, many people buy used phones. And here the primary signs (packaging, completeness, turning on the iPhone for the first time) will no longer help in determining originality. In our article, we looked at 100 percent ways to detect a fake. Whether you're buying a new, used or refurbished iPhone 5s, use our improved guide to identifying the original phone.

Package

Packaging is the face of the product, protecting the product from damage during transportation, but also carrying information about the device inside. Packaging must be required for new and refurbished phones. When choosing a used iPhone, look at the options with a box.

• There must be a sticker on the back of the box with IMEI, serial number, model, and amount of built-in memory.

• The box is made of coated cardboard (the surface is smooth, matte) without irregularities or flaws. Printing on coated cardboard is of excellent quality, the shape of the box does not change over the years.
• The inscription iPhone 5s and the image of the phone on the front side are embossed.

The iPhone 5s was produced in two types of boxes: the one that came with the new device and the one that appeared later - for packaging refurbished phones.

Accessories

• Headphones - the original has holes covered with a metal mesh, there are no gaps on the control buttons, the body is solid (there are no visible recesses or bulges on the headphone body).
• Charger - for phones sold on our market, the charger looks like the photo below.

• Data cable - a fake cable is made of several parts and this is noticeable; the original seems to be a more solid device. The original cable must bear the inscription “designed in California, made in China.” The font is clear, printed in light gray and slightly visible.

Read the full articles on the differences between fake iPhone accessories at the following links:

Appearance

• The body is made of aluminum.
• There is an inscription on the reverse side.

• The SIM card slot for one SIM card, nano size, is located on the right.
• The back cover is not removable.

The Chinese have spent enormous effort creating housings for counterfeit phones. This item is difficult to verify without holding the original in your hands. And experienced sellers said that it is now difficult to determine by appearance what is in your hands - a fake or an original.

Software – what the software shell looks like, where to look for the serial number, AppStore

100 percent method, the only drawback is that you need a computer to carry out the test.

• Connect your iPhone to your computer/laptop and launch iTunes. If the iPhone is original, then the program will see it, determine the model and allow you to work with the phone (upload music, synchronize, etc.)
• Applications must have an App Store. The application must start and work.

• Check the availability and functionality of Siri (Siri) - voice assistant. Turn on the Siri application and say a question in your voice. In the original phone, Siri will answer from the speaker.
• In the settings, look for the required items - serial number and phone model. On the screen we find the icon with the inscription - “Settings”, click then click - “General” - “About this device”. We did not find the model and serial number - 100% fake.

Serial number, service where to check the serial number

Previously, we learned how to look for the serial number in the menu and compare it with the number on the box, now we’ll check it on the official Apple website. This will give us complete information about the device: new, refurbished, warranty period.
Go to the official website of the iPhone manufacturer, find the item - “Support” - “Check the right to service for your product” and enter the number in the verification window or use the link - https://checkcoverage.apple.com/ru/ru/.

Click continue and there are only two options - get information about the official Apple product - you have an original iPhone phone.

Or an error indicating that it is a fake:

Video

A couple of videos from Youtube in which they make a visual comparison of the original with the fake. See for yourself how good the Chinese are, how they have learned to counterfeit Apple phones externally and partially in software. Remember all the little details.

Although Chinese fakes have acquired the basic design features of the original iPhone phones, all the functionality, reliability, and software components cannot be found in a fake. Choose an official iPhone wisely and with our instructions.

Make the right choice.

Of course, every person, when buying an iPhone, wants it to be original. How to determine that a phone is not fake?

Navigation

Often, when buying a used or new iPhone, the question arises - how to understand whether it is original or not? There are several signs of how to distinguish a Chinese iPhone from an original one.

Packaging of the original iPhone and the fake: comparison

Pick up the box and examine it. If it is original, then the cardboard will be coated, and the seams and corners will be even and smooth. At the bottom there is a sticker with information about the name, free space, IMEI and serial number. The inscriptions on the sides are made using embossing.

Also look at the execution of the logo. The original apple should be bitten on the right side. Boxes with devices are packed in transparent polyethylene, which creates a vacuum inside. If it is not there, then ask the seller whether it was there at all or why it was removed.

Some check gadgets for functionality when delivering orders. This is a common procedure and there is nothing unusual about it. Accordingly, the vacuum packaging is opened.

But at the same time, its untouched part is not removed anywhere, and the courier will definitely inform you about the inspection.

Equipment of the original iPhone and the fake: comparison

Since the release of the very first iPhone, the equipment has remained the same as it was:

• White headphones
• Cable for connection to PC
• Charger

Making copies of such things is quite simple, but you can make mistakes in the little things:

• All cables must be neatly coiled and covered with wide, colorless films.
• The wires should be soft and slightly rubberized. Chinese models are tough.
• The plastic parts have smooth curves and are free of burrs.

Appearance of the original iPhone and the fake: comparison

iPhone - how to tell if it's fake or original?

Now directly print the phone and pick it up. The display must have a protective film and a perforated tab on the bottom. The package includes a small instruction manual made of printed paper and bearing two Apple logos. Moreover, everything is done in high quality: the colors are saturated, the edges are made clearly, and the folds are sharp.

The original models are of high quality. The case cannot be disassembled, that is, the back cover cannot be removed. When you first launch, you will be presented with an Apple icon and then prompted to complete activation. Still not sure? Then open iTunes and connect your phone to your PC. iTunes will recognize it and display a corresponding message.

The original device has bright colors on the display, excellent sound, clear pictures and a Russian-language menu. In addition, genuine iPhone only works with iOS system. The system is updated using iTunes.

How else can you determine the originality of an iPhone?

The most common mistakes of Chinese manufacturers are quickly identified:

• An iPhone cannot have two SIM cards, a built-in stylus, a memory card slot or an antenna for watching TV.
• The original model has a concave Home button, and versions 5s, 6 and 6+ have an active touch id.
• The device should not have “brakes”, that is, the screen should respond to touches instantly.

What signs of iPhones should not be taken into account?

Chinese or original iPhone - how to tell?

• The presence of hieroglyphs and the Made in China signature on the box should not alarm you. This marking is placed on gadgets assembled in Chinese factories, or they were produced for the Asian market. The Russian interface is included in any original build, so it will not cause problems for the Russian user.
• If the iPhone does not ask you to activate it at startup, then most likely the seller did it himself before selling it to you, so as not to waste a lot of time. When purchasing, an iPhone cannot be checked without activation, since it will not allow you to make calls. Of course, the procedure is not long, but you must be connected to the Internet, and this is not always possible. To get rid of all doubts, you can connect your phone to a PC with iTunes turned on and an active Internet connection. It will find your smartphone, which will be your guarantee of its quality.

Video: How to distinguish an original iPhone from a Chinese counterfeit?

The popularity of the iPhone all over the world has led to counterfeits increasingly appearing on the market. And if a couple of years ago it was not difficult to determine whether an iPhone was real or not - by a faded screen, poorly assembled body and other external signs, today a fake iPhone from certified The device can be very difficult to distinguish. We'll look at how to distinguish an original iPhone from a Chinese one in this article.

not to run into a Chinese iPhone: surefire ways

The simplest but correct solution is to purchase a gadget from certified seller - equipment store. But if money is tight, and you really want to buy a long-awaited new smartphone from Apple, you have to resort to buying a dubious device or a used device.
However, if you don’t need a phone urgently, it’s better to wait a month or two and start choosing a real iPhone in certified store. Better yet, order the device directly on the official Apple website. In this case, you will be confident in the originality of the smartphone, and you will not have to think about how to distinguish an iPhone from a fake.
However, there are situations when a gadget is bought second-hand or from a dubious online store (for example, ordered on a Chinese website). How to check the quality of the device in this case, and how to distinguish a real iPhone from a fake one?

How to distinguish a Chinese iPhone: checking the serial number

When going on a deal to purchase an iPhone, regardless of where it takes place - in a store or during a personal meeting with the seller, be sure to take with you a device that has Internet access. It could be a netbook, etc. You will need access to the network to recognize a fake.
What exactly needs to be done before purchasing?
1. Go to the main settings of the smartphone menu, select the section that contains information about the device, and then the serial number.
2. Connect to the network on the device you took with you and go to the official Apple resource in the section dedicated to checking serial numbers.
3. In a special window, enter the number of the purchased device and agree to the verification by clicking on the “Continue” button.
4. If the iPhone is original, the system will provide detailed information about it - model description, terms of technical support, etc. If the device is fake, made in China, you will receive a message that the number is incorrect, and a request to enter a different number again.
Punching the serial number is the easiest way to distinguish a Chinese iPhone from the original and how to find out, when buying a gadget, who its real manufacturer is - the world-recognized Apple company, whose products are of high quality, or a little-known company from China. The quality of smartphones in these two cases will be different. By purchasing certified product, you will receive the opportunity to warranty support and repair the device in the future. And by buying a fake for 100-200 dollars cheaper, you can add a lot of unnecessary problems along with it, because often such devices fail within 2-3 months after the start of operation. Therefore, the question of how to distinguish an iPhone released by Apple from a fake is extremely important for all fans of this company’s devices.

How to distinguish an original iPhone by appearance

Carefully examining the appearance of the device is another sure way to distinguish an iPhone from a fake. Even today, when a Chinese counterfeit is often not much different from the original, it is still possible to identify it.

Ways to distinguish a fake smartphone from an Apple one by the appearance of the device:
The presence of one or another error, hieroglyphs, etc. is strictly not allowed in the system.
The back panel of the smartphone must contain the inscription iPhone, Designed by Apple in California, Assembled in China, as well as the specific model number and certification signs
If there is an antenna on the device, it means it is a fake phone.
This gadget also does not have compartments for 2 SIM cards, a USB charger, or a built-in memory card.
To remove the back cover of the original device, you need to unscrew the screws - it won’t just come off.

How to distinguish a real iPhone using the App Store

This is one of the simplest methods for identifying a Chinese counterfeit of a popular smartphone. In order for them take advantage, you need to log into the App Store application from the iPhone model you are going to purchase. After that, even a fake gadget will redirect you to Google Play. Now we need to look more closely.
This is what it looks like on the App Store screen:

And here it is - Google Play:

Next, in the Google Play search, you need to try to find such popular applications as iMovie, Pages, Numbers, etc. If you don’t find any, this is definitely a fake and not an original Apple gadget model.

The most reliable way to expose a fake: iTunes

The iTunes utility, or rather, checking an iPhone with its help, will help expose even the highest quality fake. In order to take advantage In this way, you will need a laptop or computer with the iTunes program installed. As a rule, experienced users of Apple gadgets always have this utility.
Everything else is simple. When you connect the device to your computer, it should immediately recognize it. If the program does not react in any way to the connected device, be careful and take your time with the purchase; most likely, this is a fake device.

Tips from experienced users

Experienced iPhone users have long learned to identify fakes from the original. Some sensible tips on how to easily and quickly expose a fraudulent seller:
The box in which the device is supplied must be durable and of high quality. The inscriptions on it should be clear and bright, there should be no blurry letters or numbers.
External damage to the new device is not allowed. Any visible scratch on the case or inside the device should alert you.
The serial number must be the same both in the smartphone settings and on the box. If at least one digit is different, you have a “gray” gadget.
When installing a SIM card, the device should automatically detect the local network, and a test call made from the device should be successful. Just note that the sound during a conversation may not be loud, i.e. The seller did not have time to remove the protective film from the device.