• How to distinguish a Chinese iPhone 5s from the original. Fake iPhone - how to distinguish an original iPhone from a fake

    Products Apple Today it is very popular all over the world. 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 Chinese mid-range manufacturers and semi-handicraft enterprises are massively producing smartphones and mobile phones, externally very similar (or even identical) to the original Apple devices. If, when purchasing on an online trading platform in China or a serious store, they honestly tell you that the device is a copy of the iPhone, then purchasing the device from hand or in a small point of sale– 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, signature Apple logo, posted on back cover, in original products it is worked out very high quality. 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. True, with more expensive models copies this does not always work.

    • Company store

    App store icon

    iPhone applications are distributed through the proprietary AppStore repository. When you run this program, you are taken to the directory Apple software. Due to closed source code operating system iOS third party developers cannot use it in their products, so counterfeits are based on a primitive self-written platform for Chinese processors or 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 appearance. The body must be made of high-quality metal and plastic. All silvery elements are metal, not paint or spraying. Touch screen 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 installed iTunes The smartphone must be detected by this program. If everything is connected correctly, but the software does not see the device, this is the right way distinguish a non-original device.

    • Serial number

    Most reliable way to distinguish an iPhone from a copy - 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, capabilities data technical support 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, let’s list functional features, which iPhones can never have (at least, as of July 2015):

    • support 2 SIM cards;
    • flash drive connectors;
    • microUSB interface;
    • radio;
    • 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 smartphone Apple iPhone from its Chinese counterfeit.

    iPhone is one of popular smartphones from users and companies involved in the manufacture of counterfeit devices. Next, we will describe in detail how to distinguish iPhone 5, 6 and newer original versions from counterfeits.

    The price of Apple gadgets is quite high. Often, in order to have a trendy smartphone model, a person looks for ways to save money on a purchase. It is for such users that some Chinese companies They produce fake devices. They are similar not only visually, but also graphical interface. In most cases they work for custom firmware OS Android, which has been redesigned for iOS.

    There are so-called " gray sellers”, which sell original flagship gadgets at a lower price and, most often, counterfeit ones. It is best to purchase an iPhone at mobile phone stores or at official Apple representative offices in Russia - re:Store stores. Before you buy a device at a low cost, you need to read our recommendations on how to distinguish a fake Chinese device from an original one.

    How to distinguish a Chinese iPhone from the original

    Difference in appearance

    When buying a phone in non-branded stores, you must first of all pay attention to appearance of the device. On at the moment, Chinese manufacturers of counterfeit equipment have learned to make the device body close to the original one. Therefore, it is not always possible to distinguish a fake from a real gadget, even among fans of Apple devices.

    The original device must be well assembled, no gaps between blocks are allowed. The case should fit snugly in your hand; any crunch or crack is a direct indicator that this is a fake. Another feature can be highlighted buttonHome, in fakes it is non-functional and does not have a built-in fingerprint sensor, but simply opens the application menu.

    Pay attention to the box

    Distinguish original iPhone You can tell from a fake by the box in which it was packed. Package original phone It looks quite laconic, matte in color, plain and embossed in the form of the device itself without simulating a desktop. Embossed seal high quality . This feature is typical for all iPhone models.

    The box itself is packed in transparent film, it is evenly distributed over its entire surface. There should be no swelling or other deformation. The Apple logo and IPhone inscription are printed on the side without specifying the model.

    Equipment and accessories

    A real iPhone, unlike a fake, only has one SIM card, this applies to all versions of iPhone (except 10). In this case, no additional parts should be built into the SIM card slot.

    Regarding accessories, then the original kit contains AirPods headphones, packed in a plastic case, a lightning cable, neatly laid out and secured with a white tie, and a power supply. At the same time, as for the power supply, its appearance may differ in configurations for different countries.

    Lightning cable, when purchased from a “gray seller”, is almost always unoriginal. You can distinguish a fake by the missing inscription along the entire length of the wire “Designed by Apple in California, Assembled in China.” As a rule, such a cable cannot connect a smartphone to a PC and most functions are not available to the user.

    Appearance

    Additional ways to distinguish a fake from an original - by appearance:







    Software

    Another way to check if an iPhone is original is to check the installed operating system. As a rule, such devices are equipped with a customized Android version, which has a similar graphical interface.

    To begin with check the settings menu:

    • go to “Settings”;
    • open the “Basic” item;
    • Next, look for the “Software Update” section.

    IN original smartphones It is located under the “About this device” item; it is not in the fake one.

    Is there a voice assistant Siri

    You can check the originality of your smartphone by launching voice assistantSiri. To do this, simply press Home button. In fakes, this button is used to open the application menu.

    Determining if the iPhone X is real

    The new gadget from Apple has conquered the world with its design, frameless screen and technologies embedded in it. Main feature is the notch cutout at the top of the display. This is not just a dark place on the screen; in addition to the speaker, there is a built-in front camera and a FaceID sensor. The Chinese have not yet learned to fake this feature of this smartphone, despite the fact that there are fakes, they are still of fairly low quality.

    The picture shows a low-quality fake iPhone X.

    Checking the AppStore

    As a rule, the majority Chinese fakes equipped with the Android platform. You can check your installed operating system by visiting the app store. If at choosing an iconAppStore there is a transition to the Play Market, this is a fact of counterfeiting the device.

    Verification on the Internet

    It is worth noting that when purchasing a phone from a “gray seller”, carefully inspect the box. The IMEI code is printed on a sticker attached to it, on the back cover and in the device settings. Do not buy a device whose packaging does not contain IMEI information.

    You can check the originality of your iPhone using AppleCare service where you need to enter the serial number of the device. If it is original, then the user will be granted the right to service.

    Using iTunes

    This method will require a computer and installed application iTunes. At iPhone connection to your computer, iTunes will try to recognize it and sync it. If the application does not respond to the gadget, then it may be fake.

    More detailed information on how to check IMEI and serial iPhone number, can be found on our website, in a special article.

    Greetings, friends!
    As soon as Apple released its iPhone SE model, craftsmen immediately appeared who learned to copy it. How check iPhone for authenticity and distinguish a fake from the real thing?

    In this article, I will not consider such cases when the fake is only external, but inside it is the most ordinary shitty Android with a shell that looks like an iPhone. It is much more difficult to recognize when the real, original 5S is remade using jailbreak into SE.

    So, you agreed to buy a brand new iPhone SE on Avito, and the seller tells you: “Mamai swear, these are the real iPhones, sebe nedelyu nazat pakupal, and now dengi nada.” What do we do first? View IMEI (on the box or in the firmware) and enter it into special service checking is a pointless exercise, since it could have long been changed, along with the entire shell, to the desired one.

    The option of checking through iTunes also works well - connect the phone to a laptop with installed program, do full reset and look at the real characteristics and model. But I think that you are unlikely to drag your laptop to the meeting, so this method, although reliable, is not entirely convenient in a real situation.


    Camera

    Despite the fact that the two models are identical in appearance, their filling is completely different. And one of the differences lies in the main camera of smartphones. Accordingly, you can check the video recording modes. There are two options available for iPhone 5S:

    • 720p HD, 30 fps
    • 1080p HD, 30 fps


    The iPhone SE already has four:

    • 720p HD, 30 fps
    • 1080p HD, 30 fps
    • 1080p HD, 60 fps
    • 4K, 30 fps

    You can find these settings by going to Settings > Photos & Camera.

    Another check with the camera is whether the SE has a “live wallpaper” shooting mode. If it is not there, then this is a fake iPhone.

    RAM

    Following iPhone difference SE from 5S - size RAM. ES has 2 gigs, while 5 ES has only 1. You can check by installing from AppStore application for system monitoring, such as System Monitor or ActMonitor.

    Siri

    Another feature of the new model is Siri activation without connecting to a power source. To distinguish the original iPhone SE, ask the seller to launch voice assistant, and everything will immediately become clear.

    Here is a set of basic ways to distinguish a fake iPhone from an original, which will help you save time, money and nerves!

    Buying new iPhone 8,256 Gb Rose Gold on the day of release, you still risk 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.

    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

    Cons:

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

    2. iPhone from Europe (“without PCT”)

    Second in “quality” iPhone version- models that were brought by you personally or by the 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. 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 ones LTE frequencies or not work with Russian mobile operators at all.

    Pros:

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

    Cons:

    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 provided 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. Official guarantee Apple operates only in the country where it was officially released for sale - and Russia is classified by Apple only as a European region.

    It's a little easier if you buy an iPhone for the US market from a store in 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 a US carrier cannot update to new version 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

    Cons:

    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, with reverse 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 communication): 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 been full check and replacement of the screen, case and battery 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 come with the same warranty as regular iPhone- 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 just 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, as well as new number assigned to each replaced part. The latest software is installed on the gadget. Each item comes with original operating system and a standard software package.

    Pros:

    The phone is 15-20% cheaper

    The device has been fully checked and the main parts have been replaced with official factory Apple

    Cons:

    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 serial number:

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

    "N" - originally designed in warehouse stocks as a replacement model, it can 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

    This is an iPhone clone. The Chinese or underground services are buying up “dead” iPhones. They take the only part that cannot be faked - motherboard- and add living details to it, like working battery, new in appearance, but the plastic case is not original. 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.

    Cons:

    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 on behalf of 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 will not 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.

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