Non-original headphones for iPhone. How to distinguish original Lightning and EarPods from fakes
No matter how high-quality Apple headphones are, sooner or later they may fail for various reasons. In this case, the question will arise about purchasing new “plugs”.
And this is where trouble can await the buyer. The fact is that now the market is full of unscrupulous sellers who, under the guise of original products, sell low-quality copies to unsuspecting buyers.
Today I would like to talk about how to distinguish original EarPods from fakes. It will be interesting!
Introduction
Today, the number of counterfeits of certain goods has perhaps reached its maximum. Apple headphones are no exception. Moreover, the Chinese have long had a love for Apple and produce copies of not only headsets, but also the devices themselves: iPhone, iPad, iPod, etc.
In order to somehow help people and protect them from a low-quality product, we decided to write a small but useful “instruction” on how to distinguish original EarPods from fakes. While it's probably a little misleading to call this "instructions", the information below is more like a few useful tips. Anyway, no matter, let's get down to business!
Package
Packaging is the first thing that will help distinguish original EarPods from fakes. How? It's simple!
Just a few years ago, a fake could be recognized by what was missing on the back of the package. The original logo is always present. After some time, the Chinese realized their mistake and quickly corrected this omission. Although the low-quality box still gives off a cheap copy.
U original EarPods The color of the headphones always matches the color of the packaging 100% - it is completely white, just like snow. But on a fake, if you look closely, you can notice a slight yellowness or a slightly grayish tint.
Moreover, the original headphones upper part The boxes can be removed quite easily and effortlessly, while the counterfeit lid fits tightly and requires a little fiddling to remove it. In addition, it will be useful to feel the box with your fingers for any rough areas or burrs. If such places exist, it means that this is a fake.
Appearance
The second tip on how to distinguish an original from a fake is the appearance of the “plugs”. Perhaps the scammers will be able to make high-quality packaging or get a batch of original boxes somewhere, but they will completely repeat original design it won't work.
Firstly, the wire of the original should be quite thick. Secondly, the material from which the shell is made is high-quality rubber, somewhat reminiscent of a soft-touch coating. Thirdly, the wire has good rigidity, due to which tangling occurs much less frequently.
If you pick up the headphones and none of the three listed signs match, it’s a copy. By the way, it’s also worth mentioning the length of the wires on the headphones themselves. Both the left and right plugs must have wires of the same length. And, of course, we must not forget about the shape of the earphone. On a fake it will be slightly elongated and slightly narrowed at the top.
It's all in the details
The next step in deciding how to distinguish original EarPods from fakes is to pay attention to the small elements. It’s worth starting with the designations of the left and right headphones. Very often these symbols are not applied on copies, but, as a rule, this only happens on bad fakes.
The next thing worth looking at is the mesh on the earphone, which is located on the side. In the original, the fine perforated grille is very clearly visible, while in the fake sample it looks more and more like some kind of fabric.
You definitely need to look at the body of the earbuds. Their assembly should evoke a sense of integrity. There should be no seams or signs of connecting the two halves.
It will be useful to pay attention to the control panel. As a rule, even the most quality copies it is assembled poorly, gaps between the two parts are visible.
You also need to press the control buttons. On the original headphones they are pressed easily, but at the same time the response from pressing is very well felt with your finger. In a fake, on the contrary, you need to make an effort to click. There were also cases that in cheap copies there were no control buttons on the remote control at all.
Sound
One last tip on how to tell the difference fake EarPods from the original - check the sound quality, if, of course, there is such an opportunity. A person who has listened to music at least once through original Apple headphones will immediately be able to recognize a fake even with his eyes closed.
As a rule, a copy, even the highest quality, produces a very weak and “plastic” sound. You can forget about bass and volume altogether, as well as about the noise reduction system. So, if you have the opportunity to listen to music through headphones in a store, then it’s better to take advantage of it.
Conclusion
That's basically all there is to it regarding how to distinguish original EarPods from fakes. Following these simple tips, everyone can protect themselves from buying a cheap and low-quality copy.
Remember that it is better to carefully check everything several times and buy a real thing than to buy a fake and be disappointed in the purchase.
The products of one of the most popular gadget manufacturers - the Apple brand - have long been shamelessly counterfeited by nameless Chinese companies. High quality headphones Users buy Earods models so often that fake makers make good money from counterfeit goods.
The main rule when buying is to buy at a realistic price for the product from reliable sellers. If you want to save onEarPods - how to distinguish original from fake? – becomes the most important question.
Many unpleasant surprises await music lovers, so consider in detail all the details of the difference between the fake and the original.
Package
The box with the gadget is very neat with exact sockets for parts of the headphones and is copied quite well; copyists now even place the logo on the back of the package. But there are subtleties that will tell youhow to distinguish “Iarpods” from a fake:
- In the original design, the plastic of the box is absolutely smooth and slightly bluish. The Chinese copy has a tint of yellow in the color of the packaging, and the surface is slightly rough, with burrs noticeable to the touch.
- The color of the original capsule exactly matches the shade of the plastic of the headset. This almost never occurs with a counterfeit version - the packaging is made separately from the product, and the low cost of assembly materials does not allow an exact match to be achieved. The polished back of the real packaging has a slight shine, while the fake version has a matte finish.
- At the bottom original box The embossed logo is clearer, with a sharper edge. The image depth of a fake is not precisely maintained, and the edges of the print are usually blurred - this is noticeable when visual inspection and to the touch.
- The lid of the original packaging can be easily removed, while on the replica it falls off or is difficult to open.
- When pressed, the fake plastic bends noticeably.
Case build quality
How to distinguish original EarPods from fakesis always clear upon careful inspection of the main parts of the headset. The molded plastic headphone housing should not have any gaps, dents or cracks. The quality of the stamping of the Chinese copy does not exclude defects: they are clearly visible on the bend and at the base of the case. At the connection points with the cord, the elastic plug of the original fits more tightly, while the fake one noticeably moves away.
Chinese replicas do not have left-right markings on the headphones L/R (Left/Right) . This is a significant note - the sound quality changes with a change in position.
The diffuser holes on the replica are covered with textured fabric; the original uses a thin perforated metal mesh. This can often be observed on the microphone. Expensive materials and equipment are not available to manufacturers of cheap fakes. This is clearly visible upon careful visual inspection. The diffuser holes themselves on the headphones are absolutely symmetrical, but on the copy they are offset.
If it is possible to compare a genuine earphone with an alleged copy, then you need to pay attention to the difference in shape: the counterfeit version is slightly narrowed towards the microphone and slightly elongated - this is noticeable.
Wires
In authentic headphones, the wires are elastic and flexible, very smooth to the touch - the high-quality rubber shell has no defects. They are also thicker and more rigid than fake ones, properties that reduce curling, tangling and breakage. Both original headphones have exactly the same length.
The wire must be marked - at a distance of 20 cm from the plug there is an inscription: Designed by Apple in California Assembled in China. Nearby is indicated serial number. The font of the inscription is clear and even, there should be no errors.
The fact that the assembly was carried out at a factory located in China should not be confusing: a significant part of the brand’s production is located in Asia.
Control panel
The body and connection of the remote control parts is the weak point of the most diligent copyists. There should be no gaps between the parts - they fit well on a genuine gadget and have a completely smooth shape. The remote control has an image of a microphone - very clear in the original. If counterfeit manufacturers do not forget to make this sign, it will be pale and blurry compared to the original.
Functional control buttons – important point in inspectionEarPods. How to spot a fake becomes clear when turned on and configured. The buttons are easy to press with a noticeable but barely audible click. The copy adjustments are tight, require effort when pressing, and when switching there is a loud noise. loud sound. Very cheap fakes sometimes manage to be produced with an imitation remote control - no buttons at all or with decorative toggle switches that do not switch anything.
Sound quality
The main purpose of purchasing original EarPods is to listen to music tracks in good quality. A counterfeit version can only give a bad sound, in best case scenario it will be unimportant, and the headphones will not last long. If you have the slightest doubt about the authenticity of the device, you should ask for the opportunity to listen before paying even the smallest amount.
If you already had real EarPods, then it’s easy to distinguish a fake by its sound. The best replica conveys a weak sound with blurry upper and especially lower registers. The noise reduction system is simply missing. The sound strength most likely will not be adjusted. You can’t even dream about the volume – and all this will immediately become apparent during a short test.
Price issue
If the Internet or store offers to buy EarPods at half price, this is definitely a Chinese copy. Used ones on an online platform can be much cheaper; you can buy them with full confidence that determining authenticity is not a problem.
Where to buy
Only in specialized electronics stores that provide a guarantee when selling branded goods.
I've been wanting to write a review for a long time this topic, but having only the original headphones included with the iPhone 5 and not having a fake one on hand did not give me this opportunity. On one of the forums, I noticed a similar comparison and asked the author for permission to post his note on our blog. He kindly agreed, for which many thanks to him.
The review will be presented without edits or comments, only citations. If you have any additions or comments, please write, I will definitely take them into account.
So:
“I would like to shed some light on the topic of fakes and original earpods.
I have two headsets. One is original and the other is fake.
After all, everyone who wants to buy a headset from Apple wants to be sure that the headset is original.
The fake headset was purchased for 100 UAH (400 rubles), the original one was purchased for 450 UAH (2000 rubles).
We start with an external examination.
The plastic boxes are completely identical, with apples and earpods written all over them.
In both boxes the headsets fit equally tightly and do not fall out or rattle.
It's almost impossible to tell from the boxes
(on a fake, the paper box is a little worse made and the printing is a little fainter.
But this is only visible if you hold two boxes side by side).
We examine the headphones.
All holes are identical and cannot be distinguished by them.
On my copy of the fake, on both headphones in the main hole you can see through the mesh that the internal holes are slightly offset relative to the main hole. On the original everything is exactly the same.
The joints on the fake are more obvious, while the original ones are less noticeable.
We examine the remote control.
On a fake, the longitudinal gap between the two halves is uneven in length and has a wedge shape.
The minus key and the middle button are pressed clearly and click loudly and clearly. The "plus" key is pressed indistinctly and does not click (it works normally).
On the original, the gap between the halves of the remote control is even in length and the keys click much quieter and softer.
Please note: overall quality manufacturing.
The rubber tubes that are installed wherever the wire enters the plastic parts on the fake have a fray at the edges.
There is no flash on the original.
The color of the wire and plastic parts is almost the same.
A fake headset sometimes does not respond to remote control presses.
If you twist the jack a little in the socket it starts to work.
I didn't notice this on the original.
The sound on the fake one is worse.
A separate question is whether the original headphones are worth the money they ask us for them?
They suit me perfectly because of the remote control, which is very necessary when listening to audiobooks in a foreign language.
It is not always possible to understand everything that is being read, so there is a need to rewind and listen again.
This eliminates the need to take the phone out of your pocket and make a bunch of unnecessary movements in crowded public transport.
Actually, both headsets are equally suitable for listening to audiobooks; the difference is either insignificant or not detected by me.
When listening to music the difference is very noticeable.
Conclusions: you can confidently distinguish a fake only after careful inspection and listening.
It is impossible to do this when purchasing from a photo. external features identical.
Be careful when purchasing. All the recommendations that I found on the Internet do not make it possible to distinguish the original from the fake. Except for listening.
“You can add information about operating experience.
The original headset, forgotten in a shirt pocket, was washed with a spin cycle, and despite this continues to serve properly.
Fake, despite the fact that it has been used very little, it constantly glitches, the buttons on the remote control do not work or the sound disappears.
The original has been used for slaughter for more than 2 months and does not have any flaws."
When purchasing an iPhone accessory, the first question that arises is whether to buy the original one or not? But if you decide to spend more money, it is not a fact that the seller will be conscientious and you will not receive a fake. Even in large stores you can find counterfeit goods. Therefore, it is better to always immediately check the authenticity of the contents of the box, and do not hesitate to ask the seller to open it and show the product.
If it turns out to be defective and you come back the next day, the store employees will be in a very awkward position. To avoid conflict situations, you must always know where the original is and where the fake is. Certified third-party accessories display the MFi program logo on the packaging (Made for iPhone). These products are not made by Apple, but their quality is subject to the company's...
Headphones
The first thing you need to look at is the quality of production. Apple Company pays special attention to this and the products have no visual defects. This is what basically distinguishes original headphones from fake ones, since few people can tell this by ear. But in the end, the original will last you a long time.
Please note this is for a headphone box. It should be made of high-quality plastic, which has a slightly bluish tint. While the fake gives off a yellowish tint. Also, it should not have any burrs, and it must be present Apple logo.
The headphones themselves must be made very carefully. There should be no gaps in them in the area where they are connected to the wire, and the “droplets” themselves feel like they are made of a single piece of plastic, with a barely noticeable seam. In fakes, this seam is often not done carefully and is very noticeable.
If there is no L/R designation on the headphones, it is a fake. Although EarPods have a specific shape, some users, when purchasing such headphones for the first time, confuse the sides.
Now about the grille. For the original headphones it is made of metal mesh, while for the copy it is made of fabric.
Cable
The original Lighting cable is expensive. Its price varies in the range of 1500 rubles. These cables break often, and paying that amount of money every time is inappropriate for many. Therefore, there is a temptation to buy non-original cords. The main disadvantage is that the device may not accept the accessory because it is not certified. Also, counterfeits can damage the device (overheat the connector, for example). But if you decide not to take risks and pay money for a real Lighting cable, then it won’t hurt you to find out its main differences from a copy.
The Apple Lightning to USB cable must display “Designed by Apple in California” and “Assembled in China”, “Assembed in Vietnam” or “Indústria Brasileira” » (Made in Brazil) approximately 18 cm from the USB terminal. Next to these inscriptions is a 12-digit serial number.
Certified third-party Lightning to USB cables usually have a manufacturer's marking near the Lightning connector.
The original Lighting connector is made from solid wood, and has a gray metal surface. The connector dimensions are always the same - 7.7 x 12 mm.
The USB connector is made of smooth, gray metal, and has trapezoidal housing connections USB contact and gold contacts. There must be a solid and flat insulation surface inside.
Can you identify the original headphones?from a Chinese counterfeit?
Unfortunately, we live in a world of unscrupulous sellers who are ready to sell anything but a quality product to a naive buyer. The more popular the product, the more fakes there are on the market.
Apple equipment is wildly popular in Kazakhstan (especially in Almaty and Astana). This means that there are plenty of fake accessories.
For this article, original Apple EarPods and Chinese fake to clearly indicate the differences.
1. Let's start with appearance boxes. The original has a pressed Apple logo, but the copy does not.
2. The box of the fake headphones is made poorly. If you look closely, you can find stains and traces of smeared plastic. And these boxes are highly susceptible to scratches.
3. Without removing the headphones from the box. A fake can be immediately distinguished by sloppy seams. On the original, the seams are almost invisible.
4. Nets. All holes and slits must be covered with metal mesh gray with an oil sheen.
Pay attention to the color and material of the mesh (fake on the right). In very poor copies, the holes located behind the mesh are not symmetrically located.
The fake (right) uses foam rubber instead of mesh.
In real EarPods, the slots at the bottom are covered with meshes, but in the fake ones they are completely absent.
5. Gaps. There shouldn't be any, except for the part of the wire that goes directly into the headphone body.
Original on the left, fake on the right.
In real headphones, the wire comes out from others components leaving no gaps or seams.
In fakes, the wires are poorly fixed, so the likelihood of accidentally breaking them is incredibly high.
6. Wires. Counterfeits use thin and soft wires. Cord Apple EarPods durable, elastic and reaches approximately 2 millimeters in diameter.
