Amrita Raj
Table of Contents
Online shopping is becoming increasingly popular among buyers in today’s society, particularly for the purchase of electronic devices. The primary reason is that, often, e-commerce platforms provide more discounts than retail mobile dealers. While many customers will buy their new iPhones directly from Apple, some would like to do it online. For many people, this turns out to be the most pragmatic choice.
However, with so much information available, word-of-mouth is frequently insufficient to determine whether an iPhone purchased online is authentic or fake. There’s a good probability that if you bought an iPhone online, you want to know if it’s an original or not. This article will explain how to determine whether the iPhone you purchased is original or not.
How To Check If An iPhone Is Fake?
1. Verify the IMEI Number
A unique serial number serves as a means of identifying each iPhone. You may check to see if the serial number is in Apple’s database by looking it up. By clicking “Settings,” selecting “General,” and selecting “About,” you may get the serial number on the iPhone. Scroll all the way down until you reach the “Serial Number” section, then either keep the screen open or jot down the number. Go to Their WEBSITE and enter the serial number when prompted. The system informs you if the warranty on your iPhone has expired or not. If you get the notice “We’re sorry, but this serial number is not valid,” do not panic. If the message “Please check your information and try again” appears, the iPhone is probably a fake.
2. Take a close look at the Pentalobe Screw
Look closely at the Pentalobe screw on the phone you purchased to determine if it is a genuine Apple device. Pentalobe screws are located close to the lightning port in iPhones. Additionally, the screw head on the original iPhone should have five grooves. It is a fake iPhone if there are fewer grooves than that.
3. Verify your operating system.
The iOS, which is exclusive to iPhones, is not the same as Google’s Android operating system in any way. iOS is drastically different from Android in terms of design, user interface, and functionality. Navigate to the Settings menu on your iPhone, and then select the software tab once you’ve done so. This will allow you to view the iPhone’s current operating system. Safari, Health, iMovie, and many other native apps will be included with iPhones running the iOS operating system.
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4. Network Connectivity
It’s expected that all iPhone models will support wireless networks and wireless technologies like EDGE and Bluetooth. Every device, with the exception of the first-generation iPhone, is capable of connecting to the 3G data network. Apple Pay is supported through Near Field Communications (NFC) on iPhone 6 and subsequent generations. If you buy an iPhone and it can’t connect to one of these networks, it’s probably a fake or was made for a different market. If you restore your iPhone and check to see if the functionality still functions, you can establish beyond a reasonable doubt that the problem is not due to a simple software error. After being restored, if it still doesn’t operate, it was probably a fake iPhone.
5. Verify the display bezel
Examining the phone’s display bezel is another way to evaluate whether or not you are dealing with a genuine Apple device. The term “bezel” refers to the space around a smartphone’s screen that is not used for the actual display. You should give the screen’s bezel a close inspection. Your acquired phone is a fake if the bottom has an uneven bezel. A fake iPhone typically has a thick bezel.
6. Check physical appearance carefully
Fake iPhones frequently feature a weaker construction and a somewhat different design from genuine versions. As a result, you must thoroughly examine the iPhone’s outside. You should take your time inspecting the notch, the frames, and the camera module. A premium experience is provided by the majority of the most recent iPhone models, which are built of metal and glass. If you’re looking for a USB Type C port, which is standard on most modern Android phones, look elsewhere; iPhones instead have a proprietary lightning connector on the bottom. But if speculations are to be believed, it’s possible that future iPhones will include a USB Type C connector, just like modern Android smartphones.
7. Double-check the settings.
Examine the configurations of your iPhone carefully in order to determine whether or not it is a genuine model. Review the software specifications, IMEI, storage space, and other information. If you want to be extra sure that your iPhone model is compatible with iOS, you can always stop by an Apple store.
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8. Discover the phone’s model.
If you want to tell a real iPhone from a bogus one, you can also check the version number. Visit the phone’s settings. Select the “About Phone” option by clicking it. You must note the phone’s version at this point. The phone is a fake if there are any differences.
9. Visible External Clues
The hardware features that make up the iPhone are distinctive. If you look closely at your iPhone, you should be able to find a button labeled “sleep/wake” in the upper-right corner, a button labeled “Home” positioned beneath the screen, and buttons labeled “ringer switch” and “volume buttons” on the upper-left side. You should also see the Apple logo on the back of your iPhone. It is highly likely that the iPhone you have purchased is a knockoff if any of these components are missing or are located in a different place.
10. Factory iOS Applications
Apple’s own brand of applications is preinstalled on the iPhone as soon as you buy it. These apps can’t be deleted from an iPhone unless it has been cracked. The “Contacts” app, “Compass,” “Settings,” “Calculator,” “Music,” and “Photos” are all examples of preinstalled software. In the event that any of these programs are absent, the device in question is either booted or fake. By switching to DFU mode and installing the operating system again, you can recover the original firmware. If native applications are still absent, then it is quite likely that you are using a fake iPhone.
11. Packaging
One of the first things that may raise suspicions about the legitimacy of the scenario is the packing. The exterior may look exactly the same as the original box; nevertheless, it is typically constructed of a material that is a little bit cheaper. Phones may be wrapped in plastic instead of having their usual pull tabs when you open the box. There is also the possibility that the product instructions are written in a different language entirely. Authentic packaging will typically include additional authenticity indicators, such as the product’s model number, a detailed description of the phone, the name of the country where the phone was made, a serial number, and a bar code. In contrast, you won’t find any of this information about your iPhone in fake packaging. You should also feel a change in weight as you remove the phone from its case.
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12. Camera Body
Now we’ll have a peek at the camera’s construction from behind. This was captured using only the camera and not the app itself. Typically, in imitations of iPhones, it recedes slightly, giving the camera a shorter height than in an iPhone.
13. Welcome Logo
When you power on an iPhone for the first time, the Apple logo greets you. It’s not common for fake phones to have this feature. The original Apple logo has been replaced by the word “Welcome” on the typical startup screen. To put it bluntly, this is a clear signal of a fake gadget.
14. Camera App
The app’s built-in camera is our next topic of discussion. You can tell a fake because it will never have a high-end camera like the real thing. Do you recall how cameras seemed in the mid-2000s? Essentially, that is what you will receive. It’s almost as if the resolution was reset to the standard definition. Unless you’re using a very old smartphone, the quality of the photos taken with the front-facing camera will always be worse than those taken with the back-facing camera.
15. Visit the Apple Store with your iPhone
If you really must know whether or not the display on your iPhone is genuine, Apple can help. Make an appointment at an Apple Store or service center to have it checked out and get the official word. Click the Start a repair request button on Apple’s support page, and then choose iPhone as the device you need help with.
You’ll be asked to specify the nature of your device problem on the following page. If you want to know if your iPhone has a fake display, you’ll have to pick “The topic is not listed” and enter your question. After that, you will be given the option to either arrange a repair visit or begin a chat session with Apple Support. In order to confirm your appointment, you will be asked to provide the IMEI number that is associated with your iPhone.
Bonus Tip: Verify the Authenticity of Your iPhone’s Screen
There are fake goods everywhere. Keep in mind that a non-genuine display may cause compatibility or performance difficulties, so if you’re considering having a non-certified technician replace the screen on your iPhone because of the low cost of the service, you should think twice. For instance, after installing an iOS version that includes changes to the display, a problem may appear. The safest and most dependable method of getting repairs is to go to a professional repair service with certified technicians that utilize original Apple parts. Apple, Apple Authorized Service Providers (AASPs), and Independent Repair Providers (IRPs) all have access to official Apple components and can repair your Apple product.
Final Verdict
Apple’s iPhone is in a league of its own when it comes to the smartphone market. Additionally, because of its distinctive characteristics, it costs significantly more than comparable cell phones. Some con artists copy the product and sell it on the market at a reduced price in order to profit from the popularity of this brand. Cheaply priced fake iPhones are purchased by consumers without their knowledge. Follow the tips above to help you tell if the phone you bought is a legitimate one or a fraudulent one.
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