• How to distinguish an original iPhone from a Chinese one. How to distinguish a real iPhone from a fake

    From the time gadgets from the world-famous giant Apple began to appear on the mobile phone market, Chinese specialists immediately took up the “dirty business”. Factories in the Middle Kingdom are tirelessly trying to copy Apple products, offering consumers a cheap fake with a wide variety of popular functions, and even selling these clones at the price of original iPhone phones.

    In addition, the person choosing at the store counter brand new iPhone 4s, not every seller will happily tell the client what he has in his hands instead of the original - a replica, a clone or even a low-grade fake. Therefore, the information provided in this article will help you not make a mistake when buying a popular mobile phone and pay your money for a truly high-quality and original product. Let's look at how to distinguish a genuine iPhone 4s from a cheap fake.

    Box and contents

    Before you pay a lot of money for a gadget that at first glance resembles the desired iPhone 4S, carefully consider the packaging and what is in it. So, let's check the package:

    • The box must be sealed! Even if you are considering a genuine iPhone, the unopened boxes may contain accessories that have been replaced with cheaper alternatives;
    • charger and cradle. The mobile phone is equipped with an original charging adapter, which must bear the inscription FLEXTRONIX or FOXLINK. If on charger at least one Chinese character is found - feel free to return such an accessory to the seller. The weight of the adapter itself should be approximately 60 grams. The apple cradle weighs approximately 80 grams. Unlike the Chinese counterpart, the inscription “Designed by Apple in California Assembled in China”, which is located at the bottom, must be embossed, and not just printed, as is done on Chinese counterfeits. The Chinese analogue does not have a sound output function, while the original accessory has 2 sound recording channels;
    • USB cable. In the original USB cable there should be no latches on the side of the telephone connector;
    • headset. It is almost impossible to distinguish the authenticity of headphones from the iPhone 4S with the naked eye, but the cable in the original headset is softer than in its analogues.

    Device and its characteristics

    1. Corporate logo. Chinese iPhone may give itself away by having the wrong logo. The true “apple” logo is an apple with a bite on the right side. In a Chinese fake, it may be bitten on the left side.
    2. Screen size. If you pick it up original iPhone 4S and Chinese iPhone, the first one should have a larger screen. This difference is clearly visible, and a fake can be recognized with the naked eye.
    3. Rear iPhone side 4S. In addition to the logo and inscriptions on the back of the mobile phone, the Chinese iPhone reveals itself with a removable back cover of the battery compartment, while the real gadget is made non-separable, and the original phone cannot be disassembled without the use of an additional tool. In addition, Chinese “miscarriages” may show off on the back cover inscription Android. This operating system has nothing to do with Apple products.
    4. Built-in memory. U original iPhone 4S on the back cover there is no data about internal memory smartphone. A Chinese iPhone can be recognized by the presence of a memory expansion slot for microSD cards.
    5. Software and connection with PC. As mentioned above, the original iPhone and all genuine Apple products do not have Android! Apple Company produces its gadgets with its own proprietary iOS software. When connected original phone To personal computer data transfer and file exchange should only be carried out using special software iTunes. If the connected gadget is not detected by iTunes, it means you have a Chinese counterfeit in your hands.

    Copies of the super popular iPhone gadget 4 can have one high level external execution, that the question of “How can one still distinguish a fake from an original” and not give a decent amount of money into the hands of scammers is becoming increasingly relevant. Not so long ago, in the hands of French journalists, a “double” of the iPhone 4 was of such quality that only those very knowledgeable could distinguish it from the original. this issue users. Be sure to read and save the information below on how to distinguish an iPhone 4 from a fake.

    Physical differences between the original iPhone 4 and the fake

    The following tips will help you know how to distinguish an iPhone 4 from a fake. First of all, when purchasing, pay attention to the packaging itself. An open box is the first signal about the need for the most thorough analysis of the product being purchased. Consider how the stickers are applied in relation to the text. Apple staff will never allow themselves to label them upside down. If the packaging is opened, then the iPhone may be genuine, but the headset may be replaced with cheap Chinese counterfeits.

    Next, consider the charger. If the original product weighs 60 grams, then the copy weighs 40. In addition, the original must have the inscription “FOXLINK” or “FLEXTRONIX”. Availability on charger Chinese characters speaks for itself.

    Proceed to inspect the stand. How to distinguish an iPhone 4 from a fake by its stand? In the original version, it weighs about 80 grams and is equipped with two sound recording channels and a gray rubber backing. The inscription from the manufacturer with the logo is extruded. The fake cradle is much lighter, and the inscription is simply printed.

    The original USB cable should not have latches on the side of the phone connector. But the question of the authenticity of the headphones is more difficult to understand. The fake copy is almost identical to the original one, only it has a stiffer wire.

    How to distinguish an iPhone 4 from a fake using attentiveness? Sometimes a fake can be revealed by one simply funny circumstance - its logo has an apple bitten on the wrong side. As for the screen, the genuine iPhone 4 has a larger screen, but this can only be determined by comparison with the original, or by measuring it. The copy is also distinguished by its easily removable lid, since the lid of the original copy is a design that is not so easy to remove. The copy does not come with cloths or devices designed to remove the SIM card.

    Software differences between an Apple smartphone and its Chinese counterpart

    How to distinguish an iPhone 4 from a fake? The main difference between the software part of a fake smartphone is that the iPhone 4 is controlled by iOS help 4. The Chinese fake has an inferior version of the OS with slow performance. From a software point of view, it can be stated that the stuffing of a regular phone is inserted into the case, stylized as an iPhone.

    In Chinese imitation WI-FI function not supported, no virtual keyboard. Touch screen, unlike the original one, can respond not only to fingers, but also to pens and styluses.

    One of visible features fake is the presence of grammatical errors in the menu. Original device, unlike its Chinese counterpart, does not have a TV function.

    Check the device memory - the iPhone has a built-in memory of 16 GB, and the fake one is equipped with a flash drive.

    The most in an effective way How to distinguish an iPhone 4 from a fake when purchasing is to have a thorough acquaintance with the original copy of the iPhone 4 or to have a genuine model for checking the copies at the place of purchase. Such preliminary measures will save you from pointlessly wasting money on purchasing a low-functional, unreliable copy.


    How to check the authenticity of an iPhone 4s is of interest to many of its future owners. And this is not surprising: people spend a lot of money on a status device, and do not want to look funny in the eyes of other iPhone 4s owners. Unfortunately, you can often buy a fake even in fairly well-known retail outlets, so the question of the authenticity of the iPhone is pressing.

    How to check the authenticity of an iPhone 4s yourself

    If you are looking to buy original iPhone, on the Internet, on the market or by hand it is unlikely to be possible. And in a well-known retail outlet you need to be very careful. If you are offered to buy an iPhone off the counter or without packaging, send the seller to hell. They should bring you a sealed box and open it in your presence. If you have even the slightest doubt about the originality of the iPhone, refrain from purchasing it. After checking that all accessories are present, you can begin checking your iPhone.

    • Weigh your iPhone 4s. The original device weighs exactly 137 grams. No more, no less. If the deviation is even one gram (and Chinese copies, usually lighter), your iPhone 4s is of dubious origin.

    • Look carefully at the device. The screen of the original device is controlled by heat, and the Chinese device is controlled by pressure, so the presence of a stylus immediately reveals a fake. Look at the case and logo - it should be absolutely identical to the original one. The “branded” iPhone 4s cannot have blue or pink cases.

    • Look at the block where the mini-SIM card is located. The original iPhone can only be equipped with one SIM card, not two. The slot itself must be located on the side of the device, and the SIM card must certainly be a mini-standard one. In the original SIM card replacement device back panel no need to remove.

    • Measure the device screen - its diagonal should be exactly 8.9 cm (3.5 inches). If there are deviations (usually to a lesser extent), your iPhone is clearly fake.

    • So, if all the previous points do not raise questions, you can turn on the iPhone. This is done by pressing Power buttons within a couple of seconds. Before turning it on, you can install a mini-SIM card into the device, although you can do without a connection test. Maybe the iPhone won’t turn on right away - sat down battery. It needs to be recharged right in the store.

    • Turn on the seller's computer and load iTunes. We connect your iPhone, automatic activation should begin. You just need to agree and press “next”. After the activation process is completed, access to SpringBoard, the iPhone desktop, will open.

    • If a SIM card was installed before switching on, you can make a test call. Attention: the speaker is covered with a film, it must be removed before making a call.

    • We check the iPhone operating system - the original device can only have iOS 5.

    • It is better to hold the original iPhone in your hands before purchasing. A person who has at least once held a “branded” iPhone 4s in their hands versus a fake.

    How to check the authenticity of an iPhone 4s by serial number

    Sometimes there are cases when they offer a very good deal to buy an iPhone online or in person. Of course, it also needs to be checked for authenticity. This can be done using serial number of eleven digits. The serial number is on any Apple product - from a laptop to an iPhone. The serial number will not only tell you about the originality of the device, but also tell you about specific model devices. You can also use the number to find out the manufacturing date of the iPhone, as well as other details.

    How to check the authenticity of an iPhone 4s using imei

    Any mobile phone In addition to the serial number, which is printed on the packaging, the device itself and on the warranty card, it must have an IMEI code. Using this international unique phone identifier, you can determine the originality of the device, as well as block it in case of theft. Usually the IMEI code is “stitched” into the device. Finding out the IMEI code is very simple - it is located in the same place as the serial number. You can also find out the IMEI code by calling *#06#. The IMEI code is a fifteen-digit code.

    Knowing the IMEI code, you can find out all the details you are interested in about your device using the SNDeepInfo service. Be sure to use this service if you want to make sure that your iPhone is original. Don't hesitate to ask even the most expensive store to do this. Well, if you buy an iPhone secondhand, check the device in SNDeepInfo. This is very easy to do. You need to go to the website and enter the IMEI code in the special field or serial code the device being tested. In a few moments you will know everything about your iPhone. Additionally, buyers of Apple products will find out all the information about their device: its memory capacity, body color, factory version firmware, production date, unlocking methods, and jailbreak.

    Taking advantage free services website SNDeepInfo, you can very quickly, in a few seconds, determine the originality of the iPhone. The service detects a fake instantly and absolutely accurately. When faced with the fact that the site does not have any data about your device, you should immediately refuse to purchase it.

    Another good reason to use the services of SNDeepInfo is to find out if you are being offered to buy a stolen device. No price, even the most tempting one, should force you to buy stolen iPhone. Firstly, this is immoral, secondly, you support criminals, and thirdly, the former owner will be able to block the device stolen from him using IMEI and serial number. If your operator blocks your iPhone, you will not be able to make calls on it. It is also possible that law enforcement agencies will become interested in the owner of the stolen iPhone.

    On the contrary, if you refuse to buy a stolen device, you can count on a reward, which is sometimes awarded to the owners of stolen or lost devices for their return. If you find an iPhone, we recommend that you also check its serial number in SNDeepInfo and return it to the owner.

    The price of Apple's latest creation, the iPhone 6 Plus, is over $1,300. The price tag is too high for a resident of Russia. However, many people want to have this gadget so much that they are ready to resort to tricks. Our Chinese “brothers” offer good alternatives. At the same time, a person who does not want to be deceived wonders how to distinguish a Chinese iPhone from the original. It would be a shame to shell out good money and end up with a cheap copy in your hands.

    How to distinguish a real iPhone from a fake

    No matter how much imitators try to copy a global brand, it is possible to distinguish between it and a counterfeit. The price of a high-quality fake starts from $250 (comparatively cheap phone). Such models accurately copy appearance and the weight of the original device. The Chinese iPhone and the original have a difference in software and design features, but it is discovered after a thorough analysis of the two devices. Let's look at this in more detail:

    1. The original runs on the iOS operating system. Chinese fakes phones operate on Android platform, which copies the branded interface. It is no longer possible to install applications from App Store. All programs you download from Play Market. The smartphone performance provided by iOS drops significantly, so don’t expect the same performance from a fake.
    2. Copies of iPhones are often released with the dual-sim function. The Apple manufacturer creates devices with one SIM card. Original smartphone has a monolithic design, so the card mobile operator inserted into the side slot. If there are two SIM cards, you need to remove the cover and take out the battery.
    3. The iPhone, which is not original, gives the right to expand the phone’s memory using microSD, while users of a truly “Apple” device are content with what they have. The fake is used as a flash drive, connecting it to a PC or radio in a car.

    If you conduct a more thorough analysis, you will notice that the counterfeit display is not as bright and the sensor is less sensitive. The product launcher is slower, applications freeze more often. The video and sound of the Chinese “friend” are worse. The button on the body is flat or protrudes above the surface, but should be depressed. The screen protrudes slightly beyond the body. To the original iPhone lettering and the brand logo are applied by embossing. There are several more ways to distinguish a Chinese iPhone from the originals, more on that below.

    5 and 5S

    Before ordering an original iPhone, find an opportunity to “chat” with it live for a couple of hours. Then there will be no problems when choosing a brand. The body of a genuine iPhone 5 and 5S is made of high-quality aluminum. Upon manual inspection, the model does not creak or play, the assembly is very good. Besides, original Apple Available in only three colors - white, black, gold. Color samples are similar to the brand but are fake.

    4 and 4S

    How to distinguish a Chinese iPhone 4 from the original:

    1. Charging with a microUSB connector indicates that you are holding a Chinese iPhone in your hands. The original device has a unique connector and Lighting connector.
    2. Another evidence of a counterfeit working TV, which Apple manufacturers did not include in their product.
    3. There are no hieroglyphs in a genuine iPhone; the native language of the device is English. The Chinese iPhone 4 often demonstrates inadequate translation of menu items (not “Organizer”, but “Organizer”) or abbreviations (“Calendar.”).

    6 and 6S

    It's easy to check a sixth-generation iPhone. On the official website enter unique code smartphone serial number. If the model is original, information about it will appear. There is no data in the system about Chinese samples. It is important to check that the serial number on the box and on the phone itself match. The box must be smooth, without dents. On top it is covered with a film, the seam of which runs along the side surfaces. Inscriptions on the box or phone like “iFone”, “eyePhone”, “iPhon” indicate a fake.

    Demand creates supply. Chinese manufacturers have long established the production of products from well-known brands. Apple devices were no exception. I was prompted to write this article by a couple of cases when, when faced with a fake, I could not clearly determine iPhone authenticity. You turn the phone in your hands, and everything seems to be in place, but something is not right. Let's try to determine what you should immediately pay attention to when buying a phone second-hand. There is no point in analyzing in detail the difference between the original iPhone and its Chinese counterparts. There are quite a few similar “leftist” manufacturers, and everyone tries in their own way. In addition, counterfeits are found in all previously produced and released generations of smartphones. And it will probably be the same in the future.

    I would like to immediately warn you against unnecessary fears. On the back cover of the iPhone there is an inscription "Designed by Apple in California. Assembled in China." This is the honest truth, and you shouldn’t be afraid of it. All original iPhones are assembled in China on special Apple factories. Non-original iPhones are also assembled in the same country.

    It is worth noting that phone authentication is verified by IMEI number through the SNDeepInfo service may lead to nothing. I came across a fake iPhone, where in the paragraph about this device the real IMEM and current version firmware. This data corresponded to a real Apple phone.

    Let's try to identify the main differences, first external.

    It will be difficult for a person who has never held his own iPhone in his hands to determine the originality of the device. Moreover, even experienced user It won't be easy for Apple products to understand what's wrong. At first sight fake iPhone looks quite plausible. The differences are in the little things. In general, the ideal way is to have the original iPhone with you for comparison.

    1. In all existing iPhones to date no memory card slot, no retractable antenna. These improvements from Chinese manufacturers have never been used in native devices.

    2. The SIM card slot for iPhone5, iPhone 4 (4S) is located on the side. They are designed for nano-SIM for iPhone 5 or micro-SIM for iPhone 4(4S), respectively. For first generation devices and 3G, 3GS it is on top. Phones only have one SIM!

    3. Back cover at real iPhone cannot be removed, there is no access to the smartphone battery. No removable covers!


    But the main differences are determined in the work. You need to turn on the device.

    The native iPhone is controlled by the operating system iOS systems. Fake iPhone uses other firmware. In this regard, programs from App store Store cannot be installed on this device.

    4. Open the "Settings" - "General" application. Please note Russian menu. Russian is one of the most difficult languages ​​and correctly translating the menu is not an easy job. If there's something wrong with cases or abbreviations like "Return", then it's not an iPhone.
    The menu items here differ from the original. As a rule fakes do not have "Software Update" and "Siri".

    5. Click on the App Store icon. See what the content store offers you. All programs on iPhone are installed from this store. If, when you click on the App Store icon, you will be transferred to Google Play it means your phone is not original.

    6. If possible, connect the device to your computer. At iPhone connection to the computer iTunes program recognizes him. The fake phone will not sync with iTunes at all.

    Read more: