What does a Chinese iPhone 5s look like? How to distinguish a Chinese iPhone from the original: features of the originals

The price of Apple's latest creation, the iPhone 6 Plus, is over $1,300. The price tag is too high for a resident of Russia. However, many people want to have this gadget so much that they are ready to resort to tricks. Our Chinese “brothers” offer good alternatives. At the same time, a person who does not want to be deceived wonders how to distinguish a Chinese iPhone from the original. It would be a shame to shell out good money and end up with a cheap copy in your hands.

How to distinguish a real iPhone from a fake

No matter how much imitators try to copy a global brand, it is possible to distinguish between it and a counterfeit. The price of a high-quality fake starts from $250 (a relatively cheap phone). Such models accurately copy the appearance and weight of a genuine device. The Chinese iPhone and the original have differences in software and design features, but they are discovered after a thorough analysis of the two devices. Let's look at this in more detail:

The original runs on the iOS operating system. Chinese fake phones operate on the Android platform, which copies the brand interface. The ability to install applications from the App Store immediately disappears. You download all programs from the Play Market. The smartphone performance provided by iOS drops significantly, so don’t expect the same performance from a fake.
Copies of iPhones are often released with the dual-sim function. The Apple manufacturer creates devices with one SIM card. The original smartphone has a monolithic design, so the mobile operator card is inserted into the side slot. If there are two SIM cards, you need to remove the cover and take out the battery.
The iPhone, which is not original, gives the right to expand the phone’s memory using microSD, while users of a truly “Apple” device are content with what they have. The fake is used as a flash drive, connecting it to a PC or radio in a car.

If you conduct a more thorough analysis, you will notice that the counterfeit display is not as bright and the sensor is less sensitive. The product launcher is slower, applications freeze more often. The video and sound of the Chinese “friend” are worse. The button on the body is flat or protrudes above the surface, but should be depressed. The screen protrudes slightly beyond the body. On the original iPhone, the inscription and brand logo are embossed. There are several more ways to distinguish a Chinese iPhone from the originals, more on that below.

5 and 5S

Before ordering an original iPhone, find an opportunity to “chat” with it live for a couple of hours. Then there will be no problems when choosing a brand. The body of a genuine iPhone 5 and 5S is made of high-quality aluminum. Upon manual inspection, the model does not creak or play, the assembly is very good. In addition, the original Apple is available in only three colors - white, black, gold. Color samples are similar to the brand but are fake.

4 and 4S

How to distinguish a Chinese iPhone 4 from the original:

Charging with a microUSB connector indicates that you are holding a Chinese iPhone in your hands. The original device has a unique connector and Lighting connector.
Another evidence of a counterfeit working TV, which Apple manufacturers did not include in their product.
There are no hieroglyphs in a genuine iPhone; the native language of the device is English. The Chinese iPhone 4 often demonstrates inadequate translation of menu items (not “Organizer”, but “Organizer”) or abbreviations (“Calendar.”).

6 and 6S

It's easy to check a sixth-generation iPhone. On the official website, enter the unique code of the smartphone serial number. If the model is original, information about it will appear. There is no data in the system about Chinese samples. It is important to check that the serial number on the box and on the phone itself match. The box must be smooth, without dents. On top it is covered with a film, the seam of which runs along the side surfaces. Inscriptions on the box or phone like “iFone”, “eyePhone”, “iPhon” indicate a fake.

A person who prefers Apple products to other brands will be able to easily distinguish an original smartphone from a Chinese counterfeit. But if you decide to buy an iPhone for the first time, you need to know how to distinguish a Chinese iPhone from the original in order to avoid problems in the future. Such ignorance, as a rule, is expensive, since the cost of a fake in this case is equal to the cost of a real phone. By the way, price is the first criterion that you should pay attention to when purchasing. does not happen, remember this, so if you are offered to buy the latest model phone from Apple for a symbolic amount, do not rush to make a “profitable” purchase. Make sure that what you get is not a Chinese copy of the iPhone.

Where to buy?

If you want to become the owner of an iPhone, we advise you to consider only well-known stores as places to buy. They should specialize in selling such equipment, and ideally be an official dealer of Apple products. Even if you are well aware of the characteristics of the iPhone 5S, the chance of getting the original from your hands is minimal. Of course, now you can find advertisements for the sale of used iPhones from their previous owners, but it is almost impossible to buy the latest models in this way. Suspicious street stalls, as well as dubious personalities offering here and now to buy a new original phone “for only 10 thousand rubles” are ways with a high degree of probability to give away your money for a cheap fake. Dishonest sellers take advantage of your ignorance in the question of how to distinguish a Chinese iPhone from the original. Have you ever compared these devices? We will tell you how to distinguish an iPhone from a fake, and we hope this information will help you avoid mistakes.

Apple has become a global brand for a reason. The company’s specialists produce their products of deliberately high quality, and this makes any “Apple” product stand out on store shelves. Moreover, this feature is visible in everything, and smartphone packaging is no exception. Firstly, the box should not have any defects (dents, torn corners, uneven seams, scratches, signs of tampering, etc.). Secondly, take it in your hands and evaluate the sensations. The original packaging gives the impression of plastic, it is so neatly and pleasantly made, although, naturally, the material used is ordinary. And thirdly, pay attention to such details as stickers and inscriptions on the box in which the IPhone 5S lies. How to distinguish a fake with their help? All names of the device, as well as the logo of the manufacturer, must be embossed according to the rules, and they must be located on the sides of the box. In addition, check for additional vacuum transparent plastic packaging.

Now we turn the box upside down and see if there is a sticker with the model name. If you have an original iPhone in your hands, this part will also contain information about the device’s memory capacity, IMEI number, batch number and product series. And even a bitten apple - the traditional Apple logo - should be carefully examined. A cheap Chinese copy may be identified by an apple with a notch on the left, which is incorrect.

How to distinguish a Chinese iPhone from the original: external differences

The next stage of recognizing a copy is inspecting the smartphone itself and working with it. Also, first of all, let's evaluate it. We have already mentioned the highest build quality of original Apple equipment. If you remember this, then all sorts of defects on the phone’s body, even subtle ones, will indicate to you that this is a Chinese fake. The original is distinguished by the impeccable quality of fit of all panels, the absence of backlashes, gaps, chips, creaks or recesses. There should be a factory one on the front panel. As a rule, the original one has a perforated tongue at the bottom. It is needed to quickly and easily remove protection from the display.

And the most important feature that an original Apple phone cannot have is a removable back panel! A real iPhone is a monolithic device that cannot be disassembled by hand. If you have a known original iPhone, we can advise you to put the two devices side by side and compare them visually. The “Chinese” will stand out with a more elongated body format.

First impression: let's look at the menu

Next, for testing purposes, turn on the phone. When you turn on the original iPhone for the first time, a logo will appear on the display, and then a prompt will appear to activate the device. True, this point does not always help to correctly determine the originality of the device; the fact is that many real iPhones go through the activation procedure in the store before hitting the counter. This is also associated with premature opening of packaging - at some points they are required to check for serviceability. If you still have doubts, look at the display, listen to system sounds and music - the colors should be bright and the sound should be clear. We hope it is clear that a high-quality iPhone is distinguished only by a menu in Russian and a high-quality built-in camera. Here I would like to tell you how to distinguish a Chinese iPhone from the original in the fastest way. The secret is that the original device only supports a specific operating system - iOS, updates of which are available through the iTunes service. So, if you connect the device to a computer, this application will automatically recognize the original device and send a corresponding notification to its owner! Unfortunately, such a quick and high-quality check is only possible after purchasing the phone.

Differences between menu items and operating features

So, we turned on the phone and are thinking about how to distinguish an iPhone from a fake. It should be remembered that there are differences between them in the Settings menu. For a non-original version it will be incomplete, or rather, it will not be possible to see the “Phone Model” and “Serial Number” items there.

Keyboard

Do you doubt that this is an iPhone 5S? How to distinguish a fake? Go from the settings, for example, to the “Messages” menu and try typing any text. The appearance of the visual keyboard that appears is another method of recognizing Chinese production. The latter has a keyboard design similar to the design of the keyboard of Samsung Galaxy series phones; it consists of separate touch buttons with letters and the ability to switch characters. Often these keyboards also support the Swype function.

Slow work as a clear sign of “Chineseness”

But, probably, the first thing that will catch your eye when you turn on the Chinese copy is the braking. Sometimes this gets to such an extent that the phone can only unlock the keys the fifth time! A high-quality iPhone instantly responds to the touch of your fingers (and only your fingers!), and unlocking it won’t take even two seconds.

Includes original Apple device

The list of additional devices included with the phone has remained unchanged since the first day of iPhone production. Thanks to this, the equipment of the original device, which we present below, has become a kind of standard. If you don’t know other ways to understand whether you are being offered to buy an iPhone 5 or how to distinguish a fake, it will be enough to remember this list and compare the availability of all the parts. In addition to the device in the box you will also always find:

Envelope containing color instructions inside. It, in turn, is produced in printing and has a high-quality appearance; there will be no tears, cuts, dents, stains, crumpled corners and blurry text indicating a low level of printing, and other defects. On the cover you can see two Apple logos pasted on.
Soft flexible headphones.
Data cable.
Original charger (its standard weight is 60 grams).

All these things are made in white colors. Cables should be folded as neatly as possible, have wide transparent ties (to prevent unwinding) and placed in additional plastic packaging. Headphones from the original iPhone are always pleasant to hold in your hands; they have a soft, flexible rubberized wire. Their plastic parts must not have defects (chips, scratches, sharp corners, protruding areas of material, burrs, etc.).

How to distinguish an iPhone from a fake the first time?

The following signs that we list are characteristic only of non-original products! If you find at least one of them when buying an iPhone, rest assured that this is a Chinese handicraft product:

Finally

Chinese engineers, of course, are becoming more and more creative from year to year, and one can only envy their hard work. Therefore, counterfeits are increasingly taking over the features of original products and flooding the equipment market. We told you how to distinguish an iPhone from its Chinese counterpart, but the conclusions suggest themselves. Alas, a similar Chinese design does not at all mean the completeness of functions that is inherent in high-quality products. Therefore, before you decide to buy a phone from Apple, remember this material and ignore suspiciously “profitable” offers from unverified sellers. Forewarned is forearmed!

Year after year, the popularity of smartphones produced by Apple is growing more and more. Many people simply cannot imagine themselves without another “brand new” model. But there are incidents with too risky designs that are radically different from their predecessors. This, for example, happened with the iPhone 6. The increased diagonal of the iPhone 6 and its smoothed corners were not to the liking of many users. Due to this, counterfeits began to appear in the form of Chinese pseudo-iPhone 5s. Let's look at how to distinguish an original iPhone from a Chinese one.

The technologies possessed by counterfeit manufacturers are high, making it difficult to identify a counterfeit. We will try to understand the signs that allow us to distinguish the original and answer the question, “how to distinguish an iPhone 5s from a fake?”

To make their iPhones, Chinese manufacturers use technologies similar to the original components: heavy-duty glass and metal. And they never use Chinese characters when marking the body of a fake. Due to the skills of counterfeit manufacturers, many buyers focus on how to distinguish a Chinese iPhone from the original. And there are differences.

How else can you check your iPhone?

The real iPhone 5s is a monolithic case that can only be opened by unwinding. Counterfeits are usually noticeably lighter than the original. The original should not contain:

Antenna
Stylus
Chargers from USB and mini-USB
Memory cards
Dual SIM cards

Fakes usually do not have such settings menu items as “Software Update” and “Siri”.

How can you determine and distinguish the original iPhone?

Complete set, of course. So, the complete set of a genuine iPhone.

iPhone device packed in film.
Headphones packed in film. They are covered with a metal mesh and are white in color.
Charger with cable packed in transparent film.
Documents for a smartphone and a device for opening a SIM card. Apple logo stickers.

Whether an iPhone is Chinese or not can be distinguished by paying attention to the neatness of all the included components. In the original they are laid out neatly. The wires are rubberized and quite flexible to the touch; the hard parts of the headphones are smooth without corners.

You can check the authenticity via the Internet. By following the link https://selfsolve.apple.com/agreementWarrantyDynam..., you can find out all the information about the device, of course, provided that it is genuine.

Pay attention to the material from which the iPhone case is made. The original has aluminum in golden, gray and white colors. Counterfeits may differ in poor-quality case material.

How to distinguish a Chinese iPhone from the original if you have checked everything visually

In the “About this device” sub-item in the “Settings” menu you can find the serial number, which must match the number on the smartphone case. The phone menu design should match the features of the original iPhone. Counterfeits usually run on Android OS or Windows Phone.
If you went to the application store and Google Play Market opened, then this is a fake. Also, when connected to a computer during synchronization via iTunes, it is the iPhone 5s that should be displayed, this is proof of the originality of the device.

How to distinguish an original iPhone and warnings you need to know

There are many offers on the Internet to buy an iPhone 5s, but remember: only an official Apple representative can give you a guarantee of the authenticity of the device.

How to distinguish a fake by its software components

When checking for originality and turning on a genuine iPhone, a black screen and a white bitten symbol are visible, or vice versa.
All signs of iOS and in no case should there be elements similar to Android.
With the advent of iPhone 5, fingerprint identification function appeared. Touch ID is built into the Home key. In the corresponding sub-item we activate the “add fingerprint” designation and if following the instructions no unlocking actions occur, then it is a fake.
Using iCloud, you can enter, thereby activating the account or turning it off. In a fake, the system will request activation of Google, Mail, etc. accounts.
All actions on transitions to the menu should be smooth and clear. The fakes show slowdown or you have stumbled upon a higher quality fake.
The memory capacity of the original iPhone 5s must be at least 16 GB.
It is necessary to note the difference in price. An original iPhone cannot cost a couple of hundred dollars, unlike a Chinese one.

Even the best quality counterfeits can cause unexpected difficulties when working with an iPhone. But if you are not too demanding in the operation of phones, then a high-quality fake can help you save on buying a smartphone.

Proven methods.

The more popular Apple devices become, the more often you can see cheap Chinese counterfeits of original smartphones. And if a few years ago a fake could be identified by the characteristic crack of the case or a poor-quality picture on the display, now craftsmen are churning out almost perfect copies of the iPhone. So how can you avoid falling for scammers and buying “leftist”?

The easiest way out is to buy an iPhone from an authorized dealer. The method is obvious, but it’s not suitable for everyone, because sometimes you want to buy a gadget, but you only have enough money for a used model. But in any case, if the situation persists, then it is better to save up and take an original and legally “clean” (I think there is no need to remind you about the frequent theft of phones) iPhone in a specialized store - this is the official Apple reseller in Russia.

However, if you have your eye on a model on an ad website, a la Avito, and have seriously decided to purchase the model second-hand, then you need to know several distinctive features.

Checking the serial number

Whether you go to buy an iPhone alone or with a friend, be sure to arm yourself with a smartphone or tablet (you can even run Android) with Internet access. This is necessary for an absolutely accurate check of the originality of the purchased device. What should be done?

Step 1. Go to the iPhone menu " Settings» → « Basic» →« About this device" and find the item " Serial number».

Step 2. From your device, follow this link. The link leads to the official Apple website in the section for checking serial numbers.

Step 3. In the window under the inscription “ Enter the hardware serial number"Indicate the serial number of the device being tested and click " Continue» .

Step 4: If the iPhone is not Chinese, you will see its model and other information, such as whether you can get Apple phone support. Otherwise, you will see the message “ Unfortunately, this serial number is not correct. Please check your data and try again.", which means it’s better to bypass this would-be seller.

Be careful when entering the serial number of the device, because due to an error in one character, you may think badly of the person and be left without a brand new (or used) iPhone.

Opening our eyes wider

No matter how high-quality the iPhone replica is, the creators of the clones are technically unable to do everything exactly like Apple’s. Therefore, even with a quick glance, without resorting to checking the serial number of the device, you can identify a fake. You need to pay attention to the following details:

There should not be any hieroglyphs, misspelled words or other calligraphic errors in the system.
On the back cover of the device there should be the following inscriptions: iPhone, Designed by Apple in California, Assembled in China, model number, certification marks (as in the picture).
An iPhone cannot have an antenna.
The iPhone also cannot have two SIM cards, a built-in memory card and charging from USB and mini-USB.
The back cover of any iPhone model cannot be removed until the securing screws are unscrewed.

Another quick way to identify a fake

A very simple and easy method - take your iPhone in your hands and go to the standard application App Store. Any, even the coolest Chinese iPhone will be forced to transfer you to Google Play, an application store for Android devices.

This is what the App Store should look like:

This is what Google Play looks like:

In addition, you will not be able to find most Apple branded applications on Google Play. Try to search for applications such as Keynote, iMovie, Pages, Numbers, Apple Store - if they are not in the store, then this means that this is a fake, not an original iPhone.

Another sure way to identify a Chinese iPhone

Well, I would like to end this article with one more sure way, which will reveal even the most inveterate Chinese geniuses. To do this, you will need a laptop or personal computer (if the seller came to sell the iPhone directly to your home) with iTunes installed. You can download iTunes from the official Apple website.

The thing is that when you connect your iPhone to your computer and turn on iTunes, the program should detect the device and try to synchronize it. If iTunes is silent like a guerrilla, most likely they are trying to slip you a fake, be careful.

Read more about how to distinguish a real iPhone from a fake on our forum topic.

Of course, every person, when buying an iPhone, wants it to be original. How to determine that a phone is not fake?

Navigation

Often, when buying a used or new iPhone, the question arises - how to understand whether it is original or not? There are several signs of how to distinguish a Chinese iPhone from an original one.

Packaging of the original iPhone and the fake: comparison

Pick up the box and examine it. If it is original, then the cardboard will be coated, and the seams and corners will be even and smooth. At the bottom there is a sticker with information about the name, free space, IMEI and serial number. The inscriptions on the sides are made using embossing.

Also look at the execution of the logo. The original apple should be bitten on the right side. Boxes with devices are packed in transparent polyethylene, which creates a vacuum inside. If it is not there, then ask the seller whether it was there at all or why it was removed.

Some check gadgets for functionality when delivering orders. This is a common procedure and there is nothing unusual about it. Accordingly, the vacuum packaging is opened.

But at the same time, its untouched part is not removed anywhere, and the courier will definitely inform you about the inspection.

Equipment of the original iPhone and the fake: comparison

Since the release of the very first iPhone, the equipment has remained the same as it was:

White headphones
Cable for connection to PC
Charger

Making copies of such things is quite simple, but you can make mistakes in the little things:

All cables must be neatly coiled and covered with wide, colorless films.
The wires should be soft and slightly rubberized. Chinese models have them hard.
The plastic parts have smooth curves and are free of burrs.

Appearance of the original iPhone and the fake: comparison

iPhone - how to tell if it's fake or original?

Now directly print the phone and pick it up. The display must have a protective film and a perforated tab on the bottom. The package includes a small instruction manual made of printed paper and bearing two Apple logos. Moreover, everything is done in high quality: the colors are saturated, the edges are made clearly, and the folds are sharp.

The original models are of high quality. The case cannot be disassembled, that is, the back cover cannot be removed. When you first launch, you will be presented with an Apple icon and then prompted to complete activation. Still not sure? Then open iTunes and connect your phone to your PC. iTunes will recognize it and display a corresponding message.

The original device has bright colors on the display, excellent sound, clear pictures and a Russian-language menu. In addition, genuine iPhone only works with iOS system. The system update is carried out using iTunes.

How else can you determine the originality of an iPhone?

The most common mistakes of Chinese manufacturers are quickly identified:

An iPhone cannot have two SIM cards, a built-in stylus, a memory card slot or an antenna for watching TV.
The original model has a concave Home button, and versions 5s, 6 and 6+ have an active touch id.
The device should not have “brakes”, that is, the screen should respond to touches instantly.

What signs of iPhones should not be taken into account?

Chinese or original iPhone - how to tell?

The presence of hieroglyphs and the Made in China signature on the box should not alarm you. This marking is placed on gadgets assembled in Chinese factories, or they were produced for the Asian market. The Russian interface is included in any original build, so it will not cause problems for the Russian user.
If the iPhone does not ask you to activate it at startup, then most likely the seller did it himself before selling it to you, so as not to waste a lot of time. When purchasing, an iPhone cannot be checked without activation, since it will not allow you to make calls. Of course, the procedure is not long, but you must be connected to the Internet, and this is not always possible. To get rid of all doubts, you can connect your phone to a PC with iTunes turned on and an active Internet connection. It will find your smartphone, which will be your guarantee of its quality.