Apple's popularity in the global market has led to an incredible number of counterfeit devices from Chinese manufacturers. Initially, the latter had a lot of characteristic shortcomings that were easy to detect. In particular, the low-quality image on the screen, a poorly assembled case that creaked when squeezed, and Chinese characters on the back. However, soon copies began to be made of better quality, and it became almost impossible to distinguish them from the original. There is no universal method for detecting counterfeiting, there are only a few recommendations that will help you avoid making a mistake when buying a device.
Box
Finding a sealed iPhone 6s is now very difficult, since many years have passed since the smartphone was released. Almost 99% of iPhone 6s in new packaging are replicas from China. Still, there are exceptions when you manage to buy a completely new gadget.
If there is mica on the box, you need to check the quality of the seams. In the original they are smooth and barely noticeable, since the soldering is performed using laser technology. In fakes, the mica is often jammed. The seams on the replicas are curved and can be felt to the touch.
Uneven seam
Barely noticeable seam
Jam and uneven seam
Perfect seam
It is very difficult to distinguish a fake iPhone 6s by its box. The Chinese have learned to copy the appearance of packaging well. The printing and other details of the fakes are almost identical to the original. Only the crudest replicas can be identified from the box. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the absence of spelling errors and noticeable defects.
Boxes
The appearance of the boxes is very similar, but there is one way to distinguish the original iPhone 6s by the packaging. Replicas replicate printing well, but not the quality of cardboard. Therefore, the lid of the original box closes smoothly under its own weight. The geometry of the counterfeit packaging is broken, so the lid closes askew.
Smooth closing of the lid under its own weight
Cover distortion
How to check an iPhone for originality by model
Having understood the peculiarities of Apple phone markings, it is worth finding out how and with their help we can determine whether the device in front of us is original or whether there is something wrong with it.
- The easiest way to check your iPhone by model is by checking the details on the box, on the case and in the device menu. Everything must match.
- It is also a good idea to first look at the description of the device you are purchasing on the Internet and check it with what the seller says and what is indicated in his menu.
- If the code and model number are not very informative, Part No. will always help. With its help you can find out whether the phone is restored or not. Restoration is a procedure in which faulty devices are removed from sale, fully tested and replaced (not repaired!) of faulty parts, completely reflashed the OS and sent for sale at a reduced price. As mentioned above, their lot number always starts with F. In addition, the box label must have the RFB mark, and the packaging itself must have the inscription Apple Certified Pre-Owned. If at the beginning Part No is F, but there is no such data on the box, there is a catch somewhere. Or the device does not match the packaging. You urgently need to carefully check your iPhone based on the model number and all other characteristics. You should pay attention to the lot number not only when buying from an unverified seller or a used device, but also when you make a purchase from a reputable store with a good reputation. There are cases when their owners are a little cunning and sell discounted refurbished devices at the price of completely new ones. After all, RFBs are also covered by a one-year warranty, and in case of breakdown they are subject to repair at the expense of the manufacturer. Therefore, an inexperienced buyer may never know that his smartphone is refurbished. For this reason, it is always better to play it safe and check the iPhone by both model and batch number. And if it turns out that it is RFB, you should either demand a new one at the same price, or find out about a discount, since both devices cannot cost the same.
Checking iPhone 6s barcode
ATTENTION! The correct barcode is not a 100% guarantee of the originality of the iPhone 6s. At the same time, an incorrect barcode is a clear sign of a fake.
To check the authenticity of your iPhone 6s, enter the numbers in the field and click the “Check” button. If the barcode is correct, then it is recommended to also check the country of origin.
Important! This service checks the relevance and correctness of the applied barcode, but does not guarantee that the entered code was not taken from another product and that the iPhone 6s being checked is not counterfeit.
What is the lot number for and what does it determine?
This characteristic serves to indicate the unique features of each device of one model line (color, volume, country for which it was produced and distribution network).
For example, the iPhone Xs is available in three colors: gold, silver and space gray. Its internal memory can be different: 64 GB, 256 GB and 512 GB. Exactly the same as the country of application.
All these variable characteristics are characteristic of this particular type of telephone and are encoded in the batch number.
- AB is a reference to the model number. In contrast, parties are different. If the first letter is M, it means that the device is intended for sale in stores; P - was developed according to personal order; N - replacement was carried out under warranty; F- was restored to .
- 123 is a code indicating the amount of memory and the color of the case.
- B is the purchasing country. The Apple label provides more than 20 codes for different countries. Those produced for the USA use the LL label, for the Russian Federation - RU, RR, RP, RS, RM; for Ukraine - UA, SU; for Poland - PL, PM, LP, etc.
- /G - means that this device is intended for sale directly in Apple branded stores. Experts note that the highest quality devices are usually sold in the company’s distribution network. Therefore, if there is an option, it is better to choose smartphones whose batch number ends with /A, which indicates that they are intended for Apple.
Documentation
It is often difficult to check the documentation when purchasing an iPhone 6s in person. The smartphone came out a long time ago and during this time it could have changed several owners. Still, the availability of documentation is a big plus when determining the originality of an iPhone. It is important to check the quality of the font, the warranty card and the absence of printing defects or spelling errors.
Documentation
Appearance
A fake iPhone 6s often gives itself away by its appearance. Therefore, it is important to inspect the smartphone for obvious defects. Even once you hold Apple branded products in your hands, you can easily feel the difference between them and replicas.
Important! Supported iPhone 6s may have defects in appearance. They can be formed as a result of the use of the phone by the previous owner.
Defects
On the back of the iPhone 6s there should be the inscription “Designed by Apple in California Assembled in China.” Under it, the original smartphone has the numbers 0682. Fake ones may have errors. Therefore, it is important to study the back of the gadget.
Backside
You can detach the back panel of the iPhone 6s only after unscrewing the two screws on the bottom end of the device. The original does not have any seals on the bolts. The removable back cover is also a clear sign by which an iPhone 6s can easily be identified as a fake.
Seal on one of the screws
Inspecting the logo is one of the ways to distinguish the original iPhone 6s. The branded apple has no defects. In fakes, it often has a broken geometry. Crude fakes have traces of glue on the logo, and the apple itself is easy to pry off with a fingernail.
Logo
Traces of glue on a crude iPhone 6s fake
Is your iPhone not charging enough?
Everyone knows that the weak point of iPhones is their weak battery, which barely lasts for a day. It’s good if the outlet is nearby and you can charge your smartphone at any moment.
And if you are on a trip or traveling and there is no way to recharge your favorite iPhone. What to do if you urgently need Internet or navigation? There is a solution if you have an external battery with a capacity of 10,000 - 20,000 mAh.
You can put it on charge and not be tied to an outlet, which is very convenient. You can order this item using the button below.
Camera
It can be difficult to identify a fake iPhone 6s based on the quality of the pictures. Modern replicas photograph quite well. The difference can only be felt if you can compare it with a photo taken with a real iPhone.
It is recommended to pay attention to the flash. Replicas often use a cheap LED, which is only suitable as a flashlight.
Flash comparison
Cheap LED in photo flash
Software
You can identify a fake iPhone 6s by the installed software. First of all, it is recommended to pay attention to obvious problems. For example, captions may contain extra spaces or spelling errors. Any slowdowns in the operation of the OS for the original iPhone 6s are unacceptable.
Extra space in the word "Unlock"
It is also recommended to check the name of all programs and applications. For example, it is known about a batch of counterfeit iPhone 6s, in which instead of “Flashlight” there is the inscription “Torch”.
Torch at the replica
Important! Fake iPhone 6s usually use the Android operating system, which is styled like iOS.
Verify eligibility for service and support
One of the ways to distinguish the original iPhone is to check the rights to service and support. You can start verification on the official Apple website. In the case of an original, the service will provide all information about the warranty status of the device. For replicas, such a check usually ends in error.
Check by serial number
Error checking replica
Where is the model, IMEI and serial number indicated?
You can find all this data by looking at the label on the iPhone box. The serial number, model, and IMEI will be indicated there. Moreover, the same packaging indicates the color of the smartphone, its memory capacity and recovery data, if any.
Often, fake or stolen iPhones can be sold in the box of the original and “clean” device. To check this, you should compare the data from the packaging with that indicated on the device itself. Where are they located?
- The model number is always written on the back of the smartphone.
- IMEI is indicated there on all iPhones up to the 6th model. In more modern Apple smartphones, it is located only on the SIM card carriage. You can find it by dialing the combination on your phone: *#06#. Please note that this is a universal combination that works on all phones. Therefore, it is not advisable to use it to determine the authenticity of an iPhone. The only way a fake can give itself away is to show two or more IMEIs, which happens with multi-SIM devices. While all iPhones are single-SIM.
- The serial number is also indicated on the carriage.
All these characteristics are indicated in its menu: “Settings” → “General” → “About this device”.
When purchasing a phone, experts advise that you always check these codes from the box, the iPhone itself, and its menu. If there is a discrepancy, it is better to refuse the purchase. This means that the seller is being dishonest in some way.
Such a device could be stolen, repaired, assembled from the wreckage of several phones at once, or it may not be real at all.
