The AirPods wireless headset has long been considered a real hit, gaining millions of fans around the world. Many people dream of owning such a device, but the price of an Apple product is very high. As a result, people tend to look sometimes not even for alternatives, but simply for “cheap” AirPods. In some places you can find these headphones for a really low price. But isn't this a fake?
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Any successful product inevitably has its own clones on the market. This also affected AirPods. The quality of the fakes ranges from obvious sloppy copies to almost exact replicas. True, close study will always help to identify the differences between the original and the fake. Before purchasing any AirPods, please check the following five features of the product to ensure they are identical. This will help determine whether the headphones are original or not.
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AirPods and AirPods Pro packaging
Often, fake AirPods can be detected even before opening the package itself. In fact, it is important to check even this, because maintaining the original integrity of the box will help you get your money back if you refuse the product.
What to look for on the box?
Apple sometimes changes the packaging design for its products, so the AirPods packaging may differ from photos found online. However, real AirPods will never have the overtly printed or pixelated images that counterfeit products tend to have.
Please read all text carefully and inspect each image on the AirPods box for errors. Any typos , double spaces or low-quality pictures give reason to assume that you have a fake in your hands.
The original AirPods Pro has a label with an arrow for easy unpacking.
What to look for in the box?
The best AirPods clones provide the correct outer packaging - the box of the headphones may even be packed in film with an arrow tag. But don't judge a book by its cover. Just because the outside of the box looks right doesn't mean there are real AirPods inside.
Open the box and look for typos or errors in the accompanying documents.
You should also make sure that your AirPods come with all the accessories listed on Apple's website: go to the specifications page for your specific AirPods.
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Appearance of headphones and case
Used AirPods don't always come with any packaging that you can check. But you can still spot a fake set by inspecting the AirPods themselves.
How to spot fake AirPods?
Go to Apple's website and compare high-quality images of AirPods with the device you want to buy. If you notice any differences, such as extra vents or offset holes, then you are looking at one of the many fakes.
Whether you buy original AirPods, 2nd generation AirPods, or AirPods Pro, you can immediately spot a counterfeit if it's any color other than white, or if the AirPods themselves have buttons or status lights.
Another good tip for identifying fake and real AirPods is to look at the end of the earphone stem. Real AirPods have an oval-shaped grille, while most are round.
Real AirPods Pro don't have a grille at all, while many fake ones still have one.
Original AirPods Pro
Fake AirPods Pro
How to spot a fake charging case?
Fake AirPods often come with an oversized charging case that looks nothing like the real thing. Branded cases close magnetically with a clear snap, and the back of the lid has a metal hinge. The rest of the body is made of white plastic.
You should see a setup button on the back and one status light on the front (or under the original charger cover on AirPods 1). There should be no other light bulbs or LEDs on the case or the headphones themselves.
AirPods and AirPods 2 cases
Look at the bottom of the case and make sure it's using the Lightning port for charging. If possible, connect to it to make sure the green status light is on while charging.
AirPods Pro case
Fake AirPods weigh less than real ones
Most fake AirPods use cheaper materials than the official Apple product. This means they are often much lighter. If possible, use a set of scales to weigh your AirPods and charging case. Compare the results to the weight listed on Apple's specifications page for this AirPods model.
AirPods weight with wireless charging case
AirPods (each earbud): 4g Wireless charging case: 40g
AirPods weight with charging case
AirPods (each earbud): 4g Charging case: 38g
AirPods Pro weight
AirPods Pro (each earbud): 5.4 g Wireless charging case for AirPods Pro: 45.6 g
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Sound quality
Well, the most important thing for which headphones are needed is sound.
The sound quality differs catastrophically. Fakes have no bass, they are quieter and can wheeze .
The Chinese copy may not have a built-in microphone. And if there is one, it is usually quiet and hoarse. It is impossible to talk through such headphones.
Connectivity to iPhone
Real AirPods use Apple's proprietary W1 or H1 chip to connect to an iPhone without having to go into Bluetooth settings.
Although some fake AirPods copy this functionality, none of the clone models connect correctly to a smartphone via Bluetooth.
Connecting AirPods to iPhone
All you have to do to connect AirPods to your iPhone is return them to the case and then open it next to your device. An animation of the connection should appear on the iPhone. If it doesn't, charge your AirPods and try again.
Many fake AirPods require you to connect to them via Bluetooth settings. In some cases, you even need to connect to each earbud separately. This can't happen with real AirPods.
Checking Bluetooth settings for AirPods
Even if your AirPods connect using Apple's animated setting, open your AirPods' Bluetooth settings to make sure all other settings for the headset are correct.
On your iPhone, go to Settings → Bluetooth. Click the "i" button next to AirPods.
Real AirPods let you rename them, change controls, and turn auto-in-ear detection on or off. Most AirPods replicas only allow you to turn off or forget this device.
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Do I need proof of purchase receipts?
The international warranty for Apple equipment suggests that the owner does not need a receipt or a warranty card to return the device to a service center. All you need to repair your iPhone or iPad for free is a unique device number.
The guarantee in Russia differs from world practice. Gadget users are advised not to throw away the receipt and documentation that came with the device. It may be required in the following cases:
- Confirmation of purchase from a specific store. The retailer may refuse Apple warranty service if you do not provide conclusive evidence that the low-quality iPhone 7 128Gb, iPhone 6s or other model was sold by them.
- Unlocking the device. If the user took the account registration process lightly and forgot his password, ID, answers to security questions, the Apple security service will require him to confirm that a particular gadget belongs to him. A scan of a cash receipt will do for this.
The Apple warranty for iPhone 7 Plus and other models is valid from the moment the device is activated. The one-year free service applies not only to the device itself, but also to accessories: charger, headphones, etc. If any of them fail within the first 12 months of operation, you have the right to request a replacement from the manufacturer.
Testing original AirPods features
One of the reasons AirPods are so popular and valuable is that they come with useful features that counterfeits are only trying to replicate. Check each of these features to ensure your AirPods are authentic.
If something doesn’t work, don’t rush to sound the alarm. First, try to fix the common AirPods problems before considering them fake.
Features of original AirPods and AirPods 2nd generation
While listening to music, double-tap the AirPods stem to do one of the following, depending on your Bluetooth settings:
- Activate Siri.
- Pause/Play music.
- Skip to next track.
- Return to previous track.
If automatic ear location detection is enabled, you can also pause music by simply removing one earbud from your ear.
With 2nd generation AirPods, you can also use “Hey Siri” if you turn it on in Settings → Siri & Search on your iPhone.
Features of AirPods Pro
Unlike standard AirPods, in this model you can press firmly on the “stem” of AirPods Pro to perform a number of different actions:
- Press once to pause/play music
- Press twice to skip to next track
- Press three times to go back to previous track
- Long press to switch between Active Noise Canceling or Transparency mode.
AirPods Pro also works with "Hey Siri" if you have it enabled for your iPhone. Go to Settings → Siri & Search to check this.
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Checking the serial number of AirPods and AirPods Pro on the Apple website
Apple uses serial numbers to identify each officially shipped set of AirPods and branded charging case. Find your AirPods serial number and enter it on the Service and Support Eligibility Check website to see if the device is real or not.
Where to find the AirPods serial number
There are a few different places where you can find your AirPods serial number:
- Printed on a sticker on the outside of the box
- Printed inside the charging case cover
- From the About this device in iPhone settings.
Some manufacturers of counterfeit AirPods may even print the stolen serial numbers on the box or on the inside of the charging case. In fact, you may even find that your charging case is genuine, but the AirPods inside are fake.
The only reliable way to get the serial number of your AirPods is from the About on your iPhone.
Connect your AirPods to your iPhone, then go to Settings → General → About This Device. At the bottom of the page you should see your AirPods, tap them to see the serial number. Only real AirPods will appear in this settings section. In addition to the serial number, you will be able to find out the manufacturer, firmware version and hardware version.
Let's return to checking by serial number.
Screenshot of checking new non-activated AirPods (sealed and never connected to iPhone)
The inscription “Purchase date not confirmed” or “Activate your device” indicates that the headphones are brand new and have never been connected to an iPhone.
Screenshot of checking activated AirPods (printed and connected to iPhone)
The inscription “Valid date of purchase” means that the original headphones are not new - they were unpacked and connected to the iPhone.
Screenshot of checking the serial number of AirPods with a manufacturing defect, which were officially replaced by Apple under warranty. You can't buy these headphones
The inscription “Unfortunately, this serial number corresponds to a product that has been replaced” means that somehow similar copies end up on sale to sellers of low-quality goods, and they sell them as new at a discount.
Screenshot of checking a non-existent AirPods serial number. You can't buy these headphones
The inscription “Sorry, this serial number is invalid” means that the box with the headphones contains a non-existent serial number that has nothing to do with the original AirPods.
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How to check an iPhone when buying in an online store
Online stores offer iPhones much cheaper than branded stores. However, such an acquisition is associated with certain risks. How to properly check an iPhone and what problems can you encounter when buying a phone online? First of all, make sure that such a check is possible. To do this, carefully read the terms of delivery and warranty. Do not hesitate to ask the manager again about important points of interest. We’ll tell you in more detail how to check an iPhone for originality and performance, as well as what you need to pay attention to when purchasing:
- It is necessary to carefully check the iPhone externally. There should be no dents, scratches, chips, cracks or other damage on the case and screen. iPhone protective films should fit tightly to the surfaces (without “bubbles” under them). Please note that the box has not been opened before you. If you see traces of an autopsy, you should think about why it was opened before you and why you didn’t buy an iPhone.
- You also need to check that your iPhone is complete. It is possible that the charging adapter will not fit European sockets, in which case the seller will be able to replace them for you. Or give an adapter as a gift.
- To make sure that you are purchasing an original device, you should check your iPhone on the official Apple website (https://checkcoverage.apple.com/ru/ru). To do this, you need to know the iPhone serial number, as well as its imei number. The required information is usually indicated on the iPhone itself and on the packaging box. Checking the iphone imei on the apple website is not difficult. You will find out whether such an iPhone is listed in the company’s database, its model, color and release date. Checking an iPhone by imei is also useful to identify a used device, or a phone taken from a showroom display.
Make sure that the online store does not sell you a device of the REF category (an iPhone that has been repaired, restored, or returned to the seller for other reasons) at the price of a new iPhone. To do this, you need to check that the serial numbers, as well as imei numbers on the iPhone case, on the SIM card tray and on the box match. Another sign of a refurbished iPhone is a white package without a pattern with the inscription “Apple Certified Refurbished” or “Apple Certified Pre-Owned”. You can also check it through the official website using imei. The refurbished iPhone will be activated before you and will not be covered by the manufacturer's warranty.
In Russia, iPhones certified according to the Rostest and Eurotest systems are most often sold. Rostest iPhones are “white” devices officially imported into the country and adapted for its cellular networks with a full warranty and service. “Grey” Eurotest phones are much cheaper, but may be tied to one operator, not serviced in the Russian Federation and have no warranty. The choice is yours. To distinguish one from the other, pay attention to the packaging and documentation. If the abbreviations “PCT” or “EAS” are present there, this is “Rostest”.
Please pay attention to the attached documents. Along with the box there must be instructions, a cash receipt, a purchase receipt (coupon) and a letter of guarantee for the right to service. Documents must be certified by an official Apple dealer. They must contain a description of the phone (model, serial number), date of purchase, cost, receipt or invoice number, contacts for contacting the dealer.
So, in order for the long-awaited purchase of an iPhone in an online store to bring you only joy, first read the warranty and delivery conditions, carefully check the iPhone by number, make sure that you are satisfied with everything, and only then buy it.
How to check an iPhone before buying a used one
The situation is more complicated if you buy an iPhone secondhand. Such an acquisition requires a more careful approach and additional checks. To be confident in your purchase, completely protect yourself from possible fraud and properly check the iPhone you are purchasing, you will need the following:
- Valid SIM card.
- Charging cable and adapter.
- Connect to a Wi-Fi network.
What you should check especially carefully when buying an iPhone from an ad:
- It is necessary to check the appearance of the iPhone for dents, chips, cracks and other damage. As a rule, it is better not to buy an iPhone with major mechanical damage. After the next blow, the phone will stop working. In this case, repairs can cost a hefty sum.
- The most reliable way to check your iPhone by serial number is on the official Apple website ( https://support.apple.com/ru-ru/HT201296 ). Here you can check all the necessary information about the iPhone model, color and release date.
- Having an iPhone box is always a plus for the seller . But here too you need to be careful. We need to check the iPhone again by imei and serial number. They must match those indicated on the iPhone packaging. If this is not the case and the previous owner of the iPhone kept silent about it, then perhaps he is hiding something.
- It would be a good idea to check your iPhone on the websites www.chipmunk.nl, imei.info or iphoneimei.info. Using the IMEI number, here you can check such valuable information about your iPhone as model, color, release date, warranty expiration date, and also check whether the phone is included in the list of stolen and wanted by its former owner.
- There are 3 categories of purchased iPhone devices: 1) compatible with SIM cards of any operators without additional settings - “unlocked” or Neverlock >;> “locked” or Lock>;> “unlocked” or Softunlock. We recommend buying only iPhones from the Neverlock category . The rest usually cause problems. You can check if your iPhone is locked by the presence of a backing circuit in the SIM card tray, as well as by how easily the iPhone will connect to the network with your SIM card and whether it will require additional settings.
