What to check when buying an apple watch. How to check an Apple Watch when purchasing second-hand and distinguish it from a copy

Since 2015, the Apple corporation has introduced four full-fledged generations of smartwatches Apple Watch, which are quite difficult to distinguish from each other visually. In this article we will talk about how to determine Apple version Watch by appearance, serial number, and model ID devices.

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How to find out your Apple Watch model by serial number

How to Find the Apple Watch Serial Number on iPhone

1. On the iPhone to which the watch is “linked”, go to the application Watch;

2. On the tab "My watch" open the menu Basic → About the device;

3. In the section "Serial number" you will find the data you are looking for.

1. Open the application Settings on your Apple Watch.

2. Follow the path Basic →About the device.

3. Scroll down. In field "Serial number" and will be indicated serial number devices.

On an Apple watch Watch Series 1 or later model, including Apple Watch Hermès and Apple Watch Nike+, serial number engraved in upper groove (connector) for attaching the strap. Remove the top watch band and carefully inspect the connector.

Serial number apple watch The very first generation Watch (series 0) is engraved on the back of the device.

How to identify the Apple Watch model by appearance and compare it with the serial model number

Apple Watch 1st generation (Series 0)

Apple Watch

The model has a steel case, a ceramic back panel and is available in two colors - pure steel and “space black”. Model numbers A1553 And A1554 for case sizes 38 and 42 mm respectively.

Apple Watch Sport

Frame Apple models The Watch Sport is made of aluminum and back panel- made of composite materials, Ion-X glass is used instead of sapphire coating, colors: “ gray space", gold, rose gold and silver. Model numbers A1553(38 mm) and A1554(42 mm).

Apple Watch Edition

The first generation premium watch has a case made of 18 karat yellow or rose gold, and the wheel cover Digital Crown may be red, white, black or of blue color. The model numbers are the same - A1553 And A1554.

Apple Watch Hermes

The easiest way to determine whether a watch belongs to the Hermes series is by the branded dial and engraving on the ceramic back panel. Model numbers A1553 And A1554.

Apple Watch Series 1

It is not possible to visually distinguish this watch from the Apple Watch Sport - the same colors, the same sizes, the same case materials used. Only the model numbers differ, for the Apple Watch Series 1 it is A1802 And A1803 for sizes 38 and 42 mm.

Apple Watch Series 2

Apple Watch (aluminum)

Apple Watch (stainless steel)

Steel and Aluminum Apple Watch the second generations have similar looks, colors and materials to the first generation Apple Watch and Apple Watch Sport. And again external difference consists only in model numbers - the second generation has article numbers A1757 And A1758.

Apple Watch Edition

Premium watches of the second generation are easily distinguished from the first thanks to the white ceramic case, model numbers A1816 And A1817.

Apple Watch Hermes

They differ from the first generation only in the model number, which is the same as the aluminum/steel watches of the second generation - A1757 And A1758.

Apple Watch Nike+

The watches themselves are absolutely identical aluminum Apple Watch Series 2, but there are only two colors available - silver and space grey. However, they have the same model numbers A1757 And A1758, however, they can often be identified by the pre-installed Nike+ software and a proprietary strap with large holes.

Apple Watch Series 3

Apple Watch, stainless steel

The main difference between all third-generation smartwatches with SIM support (GPS + Cellular) is the red cover of the Digital Crown wheel. Such watches are not sold in Russia and Europe.

Apple Watch Series 3 GPS + Cellular is available only in stainless steel.

Otherwise the models are identical in terms of design, model numbers: A1860, A1889, A1890(all 38 mm) and A1861, A1891, A1892(all 42 mm).

Apple Watch, aluminum, GPS only

In addition, “rose gold” disappears from the list of available colors for aluminum watches.

Model numbers for "GPS only" watches A1858 And A1859.

Apple Watch Edition (GPS + Cellular)

Apple Watch Edition Series 3 inherited the ceramic case from the previous model, which received new color- grey. Otherwise there are no differences, the model numbers are identical to aluminum and steel watch with support (GPS + Cellular) – A1860, A1889, A1890(all 38 mm) and A1861, A1891, A1892(all 42 mm).

Apple Watch Hermes and Apple Watch Nike+ (GPS + Cellular)

Apple Watch Hermes (GPS + Cellular)

Apple Watch Nike+ (GPS + Cellular)

Brand watches Hermes and Nike+ of the third generation (GPS + Cellular) can also be identified in appearance only thanks to the red cover of the Digital Crown, otherwise the design has not changed, the model numbers are the same as those of other cellular watches of the third generation - A1860, A1889, A1890(all 38 mm) and A1861, A1891, A1892(all 42 mm).

Apple Watch Nike+ (GPS only)

Obviously, the only difference between the model is the lack of support for SIM cards and, accordingly, the red wheel cover. Model numbers for "GPS only" watches A1858 And A1859.

Innovative iWatch will cost the buyer a tidy sum, so when purchasing such a gadget second-hand or from unofficial representatives of the company, you may stumble upon:

stolen goods;
Chinese copy.

Therefore, buyers often face the question: how to check your apple watch?

Original or copy: how to check your Apple Watch when purchasing

The easiest way to distinguish a Chinese copy, which unscrupulous sellers may be passed off as original products. Official smart watch:

devoid of any connectors;
Magnetic induction technology is used for charging;
A slot for a SIM or SD card is an insult to the iWatch.

The products of the famous American brand look completely different: all the details, curves and pixels of the screen are where they should be. Chinese copies made very roughly: with unevenness and defects in both color and shape.

Even if the copies are externally indistinguishable from the original Apple Watch, which is almost impossible upon detailed examination, then the internal content of the fakes will certainly put an end to this dispute. Instead of branded iOS with a great design and high-quality language translation, the copies use:

adapted Android version;
Chinese version unknown firmware.

In addition to the above information, it will be useful to read an article on the topic of what is the difference between ROSTEST and EUROTEST for Apple Watch at the link provided.

New or used

But if everything is clear with a fake from China, and identifying it is not difficult, then how to check smart watch when buying in a store or from hand? Even if you buy a completely new device, there is no guarantee that it is truly new.

The fact is that some Russian businessmen purchase original products not from Tim Cook’s company, but from third parties, from whom the stolen products are reflashed and resealed in the original packaging.

IMEI or serial number

You can find out the history of the origin of iWatch without leaving the store checkout. Just find the IMEI (in the settings or on the box) and check it on one of the official sites with databases of mobile devices.

Such a site could be a resource:

https://checkcoverage.apple.com/ru/ru/ (official Apple website).

You can find out about the activation status of the device by IMEI or by the serial number indicated on the packaging on the official website https://www.icloud.com/activationlock/. Apple check Watch by serial number will show information about the activation status:

not activated;
activated;
blocked.

You can also find out the exact date and time of blocking or activation of the gadget by the serial number. If instead of new iWatches the store tries to sell used ones, then:

On line with exact date the date of early activation of the device will appear.
If the watch is stolen, the activation status will indicate that the device is blocked. It is almost impossible to get around it on the last iOS versions, nor can you access the app store or log in through your profile.

Advantages and disadvantages of Chinese smartwatches compared to the original Apple Watch

Some very dubious advantages include:

Inexpensive cost of the gadget.
The ability to insert a SIM card and make calls directly from the smartwatch.
There is no need to worry about the safety of the gadget - you don’t mind breaking or losing it.

Such analogues undoubtedly have more disadvantages:

The body is cheap plastic.
The replica is much heavier than the original.
Straps chinese watch made of leatherette unlike real iWatch.
A fastener made of plastic or silumin quickly becomes unusable.
There is no protection against moisture and dust.
The screen simply shows no signs of life, completely ignoring the user's touch.
The service life of an outright fake rarely exceeds 10-12 months.

Apple Watch is the leader in the smartwatch market, as each gadget is distinguished by a premium level of quality. Therefore, even an inexperienced user can distinguish a fake from a genuine iWatch. When choosing such an accessory, you should not compromise in favor of low cost, because a Chinese replica will only bring disappointment.

How to distinguish an original iWatch from a fake?

Even a quick external inspection will allow you to find a number of differences that will leave no doubt that this is a fake:

Huge frames on the sides of the screen. The screen itself is too small and grainy, and most importantly, the connector for charging the micro-USB device on the side, which clearly gives off a fake. But the most annoying thing is that you have to swipe the screen several times to get the Touchpad to work, which is, frankly, annoying.
Chinese iWatch replicas are larger and thicker. Having put such a gadget on your hand, you immediately want to take it off. Fakes are frankly difficult, inconvenient and unpleasant to everyday use.
Chinese iWatches are designed to work autonomously from smartphones, so they have a SIM card slot. If you have an original iPhone + Apple Watch, then separate work hours is impossible.

Conclusions on how to check your Apple Watch when purchasing

Buying from official dealers, you don’t have to worry about the legal purity of your new smartwatch. When buying second hand, the likelihood of getting into trouble with the law when bundled with a new iWatch is much higher. Checking the Apple Watch when buying it in person is no different from checking new ones, except that after the fraud is discovered, the seller will try to hide.

How to check the authenticity of an Apple Watch when purchasing?

4.7 (93.33%) 18 votes

The popularity of the Apple company's products has led to the spread of counterfeit gadgets. Users have a question about how to check Apple Watch. There are several criteria for recognizing counterfeit models when purchasing devices in stores and from hand. The article will tell you in detail how to check an Apple Watch upon purchase and by serial number.

Features of the original sample

Apple Company When manufacturing products, it uses specially developed technology. It is thanks to her that the watch has ideal structure. Let's take a closer look at the stages of manufacturing Apple devices:

Specialized case hardening
Its grinding and ultrasonic treatment
Manual correction

Apple, through the work of highly qualified professionals, creates a perfectly smooth texture of the product, without any flaws. This is what determines the authenticity of a watch. Thanks to unique technology, used by the company when developing the gadget, it is not difficult to distinguish the originality of the product.

The design of Apple watches also has its own characteristics:

Lack of slots
Lack of SIM card slot
Availability of contacts on back cover for charging from the cradle

The original Apple gadget has a monolithic structure. When distinguishing an original from a fake, always take into account the ideal appearance of the device. This is the leading verification criterion. Let's talk about Chinese copies.

Recognizing a Chinese counterfeit

The Chinese manufacturer copies gadgets from famous brands - Samsung, LG, Sony. Apple is no exception. As of 2017, billions of counterfeit models have been released, which can be recognized as follows:

We look at the box and packaging;
We check the presence of unnecessary elements on the body;
Let's get acquainted with the operating system.

Distinguishing a new gadget

Original Apple watches are expensive, so only a few can afford them. People turn to middlemen or unofficial stores, hoping for a lower price. Purchase the device only from official stores Apple.

Let's talk about how to distinguish the original in an unofficial purchase. In such a situation, you cannot do without checking the serial number or recognition by IMEI.

More precisely, Chinese Apple analogues Watches that do not stand up to any competition, but cause bewilderment and pity.

Together with M.Video we compare original gadgets with replicas to convince you not to skimp on quality devices.

We ran through the Savelovsky electronics boutique and bought several iWatch. Was it a waste of money, or are Apple Watch replicas very cool? Let's take a look together.

Pros and cons of Apple Watch replicas

If you want, call them. If you want, look at the time, write messages, follow Twitter, count your steps and post comments on Facebook. This is if the newly purchased Chinese smartwatch turns on at all. After 10 minutes of studying, I created a list of the main pros and cons of iWatch.

Pros:

A replica is much cheaper original Apple hours
The replica is turned on (this is important!)
The replica can make loud sounds
You can insert a SIM card into the replica and make calls directly from your wrist
It’s not a pity to lose, break or drown a replica

Minuses:

Housing - cheap plastic
The replica is heavy
Leather straps from an unknown animal
The clasp is made of plastic or silumin, breaks quickly
No moisture and dust protection
The screen often does not respond to touches and clicks
Service life – maximum one year
Even with a superficial examination it is clear that the hand is fake

And now more details.

1. Appearance. UGH.

Chinese iWatch replicas are larger and thicker than the original Apple Watch. If you have never owned a wearable accessory from Apple, this is not critical. But if you compare directly, after Apple Watch it’s like you’re wearing a huge noname“cauldrons” that pull down the entire arm.

I walked with Chinese clock for two whole days, bragging to everyone I knew about my new Apple Watch 2nd generation. Alas, I failed not a single person, including girls who are far from gadgets.

M.Video expert comment:

Apple Watch is the leader in the smartwatch market and probably the most desired one smart gadget among Apple fans in Russia. This inevitably stimulates the growth of the counterfeit market. Fake watches, most often sold under the name iWatch, Smart Watch etc. may be similar to the original to varying degrees. However, it is always possible to distinguish a low-quality cheap fake.

Huge frames on the sides of the screen, the screen itself is too small and grainy, and most importantly, the connector for charging a micro-USB device on the side, which clearly gives away a fake.

Briefly speaking: I want to take it off. Or give it away small child, who has not yet tasted the delights of Apple gadgets, with a clear consciousness and a sincere craving for toys. Alas, Chinese iWatch can't compete with visually.

2. Price. Yes, you save

Everything is fine here: for an iWatch you need to pay about 5 thousand rubles, which is incomparably cheaper than the original Apple Watch. But is this product worth the money?

For that amount you can find a real smartphone with touch screen, camera and other attributes of a smartphone. Give 5000 rubles for undersmartphone in form factor wristwatch doesn't seem very good smart investment funds.

Red price Chinese fake under AW – 1500 rubles. This is just the maximum, taking into account the materials, cardboard packaging, filling and logistics.

3. Filling. Two completely different devices

Chinese masters have managed to cram something unidentifiable into their smartest watches. The settings menu does not contain any information about the internal world of the device, as well as the name of the device itself.

The only plus is that you can insert micro SD and expand the device memory by 32 GB. Wow, this is so great - now I can... What can I do? Yes, nothing that cannot be done without a flash drive.

However, without a flash drive, the lion's share of functions do not work: you cannot enter the gallery, the Twitter client, the Facebook client, and much more. What this is connected with is unclear, given that there is some kind of built-in memory.

But the speaker screams as it should. The only element of Chineseness that I was frankly impressed with.

When a notification about a new message arrives, the watch emits a 64-voice polyphony of such strength that you want to cover your ears and run away. For the loudness of the sound, hats off.

4. Materials. China – and in Africa China

Forget about precious metals like aluminum, sapphire crystals and other frills. Chinese iWatches are made of harsh plastic, and it feels like the screen is too.

To prevent the owner from running his finger across the plastic surface, a matte film is prudently glued to the screen out of the box.

A dubious bonus that may only appeal to lovers of rough surfaces.

5. Operating system. Something with something

A mystery shrouded in darkness. There is absolutely no idea what the miracle of Chinese engineering is based on. Something between the “green robot” and Linux, and the colors were taken from the robot, and the icons, unpredictable work, crooked Russification and fonts were taken from Linux.

For most applications, such as the Facebook client, Twitter and WatsApp, in addition to having a flash drive, it is necessary to have a SIM card with Internet access. If there is no SIM card or flash drive in the iWatch, 70% of all functions are deactivated by default.

As a last resort, you can start monitoring sleep or counting steps while jogging. True, these functions still don’t work - sleep monitoring looks like a regular stopwatch, and the pedometer claims that I’ve been standing still for the 2nd day.

6. Features and features. They can do something

Once again: there is a scanty Facebook client, the ability to read tweets and chat on WhatsApp. If you install special software on your Android smartphone, you can control the smartphone’s camera from your watch.

In truth, everything about this iWatch is designed to make the user suffer. The crown on one of the edges of the device is a simple button, and turning it is useless.

Thus, trying to scroll through the menu with your finger turns into torture, thanks to the unresponsive screen and the general sluggishness of the system. There is no trace of an accelerometer - twist your wrist as you want, the screen will light up only after you press the crown button.

At some point, one of the experimental specimens simply stopped showing signs of life. It was never possible to revive him.

Normal person's Apple Watch, for comparison: you take the original AW, connect it to the iPhone via special application by clicking just one “Connect” button. And then the smart watch becomes an addition to the smartphone, duplicating notifications.

It becomes possible to send messages, react to new posts on social networks, even receive phone calls without taking your iPhone out of your pocket. Apple makes it all work easily and simply.

"Apple Watch" of an abnormal person: Chinese iWatch, as conceived by the creators, should be completely autonomous from the smartphone; this is exactly what a SIM card is needed for. In theory, this is convenient - if your smartphone dies, you can always make a call directly from the watch. In combination with iPhone + Apple Watch, such a use case is impossible.

However, in practice everything is not so smooth. It’s impossible to connect the iPhone “Aivochi” - in App Store there is no program for this. You can connect directly via Bluetooth, but there is little point in this: the connected device cannot be controlled, changed dials and used as a headset, alas.

If you take an Android smartphone, then it becomes more interesting: through a special application (each model of Chinese watch has its own application, and it is not always possible to find it in Google Play) you can adjust the time and receive SMS messages that are duplicated from your smartphone to your watch.

But even in conjunction with an iWatch smartphone, you need a SIM card. Without it, Twitter, Facebook and WhatsApp still do not want to launch.

Why then buy Chinese iWatch at all?

I'll be honest: after several days of use, I still haven't come up with a single justification for buying this and others similar devices an adult and reasonable person.

If you did not buy your smartphone or tablet from an authorized Apple reseller store, but, for example, from an advertisement site, such a check will be very useful for you for a number of reasons.

There are frequent cases of fraud in the secondary market, therefore, through IMEI checks and serial number, you can find out exactly where the iPhone was purchased, find out the activation date, remaining warranty (if any), find out whether the device in front of you is new and check its authenticity.

Let's take a closer look at each of these questions.

How to find out IMEI and serial number of iPhone?

The most reliable option is to look in the settings of the device itself. To do this, launch the “Settings” application, go to the “General” section and select “About this device”.

By clicking on it you will see all necessary information, including serial number and IMEI. For clarity, these points are circled in the screenshot. The whole sequence of actions is also valid for the iPad.

Similar data is provided on original box and the rear panel of the device. But if we're talking about about a used device, they could have been replaced, but the system will provide 100% reliable information.

Another way - iTunes program. Launch it and connect the device to the computer using a cable. Click on the name of your gadget, and on the “Overview” tab, its serial number will be displayed:

Checking iPhone by IMEI

After you found out necessary information, you can run quick check devices using special service. Not all of them work correctly, therefore, we recommend using the proven iphoneimei.info

When you go to the site, you will see only one field in which you need to enter the received IMEI numbers. Just a few seconds and you get the information you need:

As you can see from the screenshot, this way you can find out:

iPhone activation date
date and country of purchase
presence of binding to the operator.

Except third party service, similar data can be obtained on the Apple website. More on this later in the article.

Check by serial number

To check the warranty and get another one useful information, as they say, “first hand”, go to the Apple website using this link. A page will open in front of you that says “Checking your right to service and support” with a field in which you need to enter the equipment serial number, then the captcha, and click the “Continue” button.

As you can see in the screenshot above, this way you can quickly check Apple warranty, which is important if the seller assures you that it is still valid. This way you can see for yourself.