5 Tips on How to Spot a Fake iPhone and Avoid Getting Scammed

5 Tips on How to Spot a Fake iPhone and Avoid Getting Scammed
Jan 17, 2011 By Andrea Scarlatelli , eChinacities.com

 

Yes, China is the land of the fakes. You can buy fake handbags, designer clothes, wallets… But there are simply some situations in which only the genuine product will do. Once such product is an iPhone, and with the fairly new release of the iPhone 4, there have never been so many fakes running rampant in China. For those who are looking for the real thing, there are some obvious (and not so obvious) ways to make sure you get what you pay for. So arm yourself with these tips to avoid the headache that comes with getting ripped off.

1) Check and test touch screen, battery, card slot, memory space
There are some visual features that all authentic iPhones have, regardless of the model. For example, pretty much everyone knows that iPhones have touch screens. But what you may not be aware of is that the touch screens react only to objects that conduct electricity (aka: your finger). Authentic iPhones will not work with plastic or metal styluses – ever. All iPhones have only one SIM card slot, and the batteries are not replaceable by you, the user. In other words, you will need to go to an official Apple store if your battery needs to be replaced for some reason. No iPhone has increasable memory – whatever memory capacity you buy it at, that’s it. Period. The text on the back of your iPhone should always list a model number, and IC ID, and the phrase “Designed by Apple in California. Assembled in China.” And the most visually obvious sign that an iPhone is fake? If it comes in any other colour except black or white.

2) Make sure the size is correct
If you’ve got an opportunity to play around with the phone for a few moments, or basically do anything beyond looking at it, there are additional signs that differentiate between real and fake iPhones. Measure the screen with a ruler (hey, better safe than sorry!) from the top corner to the diagonally opposite corner. It should measure exactly 3.5 inches (8.9 centimeters). Anything shorter or longer is a fake.

3) Inspect the icons and serial numbers carefully
When you press the “on” button, a genuine iPhone will display a black background with a silver border and four rows of icons, whereas many fakes will have more icons or a different coloured background. And if you want to be absolutely, one hundred percent certain your iPhone is authentic, go to “Settings,” “General,” then “About.” There should be a serial number listed there, which you can check on Apple’s website (under “Warranty”). If you enter the serial number and it’s not recognized by the site, you know beyond a doubt that it’s fake.

4) Inspect and check back cover and functions
Specific iPhone models have certain additional characteristics to help you determine if they are genuine. If you’re looking to buy the 2G iphone (a.k.a: the first iPhone ever released), first look at its back cover. It is largely made of brushed aluminum, with a non-shiny black plastic piece at the very bottom. Its features include a two mega pixel camera with a fixed-focus lens, and it does not have MMS message or video recording capabilities. Are these not the exact specs you found while shopping for a 2G iphone? Then it’s a fake.

5) Know the colours that correspond with the memory space
The 3G iphone comes in 8GB (which is only available in black) or 16GB (which is available in black or white) versions. Like the 2G iPhone before it, this version has a two mega pixel camera with a fixed focus lens, but the 3G has MMS message capabilities. However, it still cannot record video. If you find anything else on your 3G, it’s a fake.

You can get the 3GS iPhone in 16GB or 32GB models, both of which only come in black or white. The only physical difference between this iPhone and the previous model is that this one has a “glossy chrome finish” on the backside lettering. The 3GS iPhone has a three mega pixel camera with an auto focus lens, MMS messaging capability, and a built in video camera.

As Apple unleashes newer products, such as the iPad, expect more fakes to flood the market. It is possible to avoid being scammed, however, if you keep a sharp eye out and do your homework.

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Keywords: How to spot fake iphone buying iphone tips China fake iphones China

3 Comments

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olayinka9139

Cool

Apr 15, 2020 08:01 Report Abuse

yshielynn

How about Apple phones bought from e-commerce site named iPrice? Here's the link: https://iprice.ph/apple/

Dec 14, 2018 23:10 Report Abuse

Wazzel23

Could you please tell me if this iPhone 5s is genuine or not please.Serial #DNPMCG56FF9R and model #ME305LL/A Thank you

May 02, 2016 11:38 Report Abuse