The question of how to distinguish an iPhone 4 from a fake is becoming more and more popular every year, because the market of mobile gadgets is flooded with fakes from China. Sometimes they are so high quality that it is extremely difficult to distinguish them from the original by their appearance. But no one wants to acquire chinese phone for a lot of money. Moreover, such devices often fail quickly and have to be repaired at their own expense.
How to distinguish an iPhone 4 from a fake and how to recognize the "double" of this still popular iPhone model, we will tell you in this article. A number of tips below will also be useful for those who are interested in how to distinguish other versions of iPhones - 5.6 and others, from phones made in China. Many features typical of certified Apple devices are inherent in all Apple devices.
Understand what kind of apparatus is in front of you, focusing only on appearance device, the following tips will help:
1 Carefully review the packaging. If the box in which the gadget was delivered was opened, this is the first negative signal that the phone is not original. 2 Stickers should be glued evenly, and, say, not upside down. Apple employees would never have been so careless. 3 If the package is opened, it is possible that the phone is original, but it is possible that the headset supplied with the product is counterfeit. 4 Carefully assess the weight of the charging. The original item weighs almost 2 times more than the Chinese counterfeit - 60 grams versus 40 grams. In addition, the original should have inscriptions on Chinese copies they are missing. If in any place you see Chinese characters - here the situation speaks for itself, and in front of you is definitely a fake. 5 The original stand for the gadget weighs 80 grams, the fake one is less. The manufacturer equipped the first with sound recording channels and a gray rubber backing. The inscription on it is embossed, and on the Chinese product it is printed. 6 Apple's USB cable does not have a latch next to the connector. 7 It is much more difficult to assess the authenticity of headphones than all the elements described above. Often a fake is 100% similar to a real accessory, but only has a tougher wire.How to recognize the original iPhone 4: other differences
Sometimes the attentiveness of the user helps him to immediately recognize a fake device. For example, sometimes Chinese manufacturers make ridiculous and ridiculous mistakes, for example, an apple has a bite off the wrong side of the logo.
As for the display, the original phone has a larger one, but looking at only one smartphone it is extremely difficult to notice. You need to either compare with another device, or measure the screen.
Also, the lid of a copy is very easy to remove, but it is not easy for a certified product.
In the complete set of a fake, there are often no minor accessories, such as a cloth, or small elements for removing a SIM card from the device.
Chinese analogue of iPhone 4: differences in programs
How can a buyer understand that he is being cheated when buying an iPhone 4? One of the surest ways, in addition to the preliminary ones described above, is to carefully consider the features software components devices.
IPhone 4 works on the basis of "operating systems" iOS version 4, and a fake - on a defective copy, functioning much slower. In other words, the counterfeit is not a cool smartphone, but an ordinary mobile phone.
The device imitating the fourth-generation "apple" device does not support Wi-Fi networks, it also does not have virtual keyboard... The touchscreen display of the copy reacts, except for fingers, to styluses and pens. The original device does not have such a feature.
One of the most ridiculous mistakes Chinese people make is spelling errors in the phone menu. Also, a real iPhone does not support the TV function, but this technology works for a fake device.
The certified "apple" smartphone has built-in memory and its volume in the fourth model is 16 gigabytes, while a flash card is attached to the copy.
And, finally, the surest way to identify an original iPhone is to study its main characteristics, at least in theory, before buying, by reading, for example, detailed reviews in the Internet. Better yet, conduct a thorough visual inspection of this unit by asking for it for a while from a friend or colleague. Such a serious approach to purchasing a gadget will allow you to purchase a quality device that will work for its owner for many months or even years. In extreme cases, in the event of malfunctions, phone repair will cost several times cheaper. The Chinese counterfeit can fail in the first month, and it can happen that not a single master will undertake to repair it.
Since the time when gadgets from the world-famous giant Apple began to appear on the mobile phone market, Chinese experts immediately took up the "dirty business." The factories of the Celestial Empire are tirelessly trying to copy Apple products, offering consumers a cheap counterfeit with a variety of in-demand functions, and they also sell these clones at the price of the original iPhone phones.
In addition, when a customer chooses a brand new iPhone 4s on a store counter, not every seller will happily tell what he has in his hands instead of the original - a replica, a clone, or generally a low-quality fake. Therefore, the information provided in this article will help you not to make a mistake when buying a popular mobile phone and pay your money for a truly high-quality and original product. Here's how to tell the difference between a genuine iPhone 4s and a cheap knockoff.
Box and its contents
Before you pay a lot of money for a gadget that at first glance resembles the desired iPhone 4S, carefully consider the packaging and what is in it. So, we check the package contents:
- the box must be sealed! Even if you are considering a genuine iPhone, the unsealed boxes may contain accessories that have been replaced with cheaper ones;
- charger and cradle. The mobile phone is supplied with an original charging adapter, which must bear the inscription FLEXTRONIX or FOXLINK. If on charger found at least one chinese character- feel free to return such an accessory to the seller. The weight of the adapter itself should be approximately 60 grams. The apple cradle weighs approximately 80 grams. Unlike the Chinese counterpart, the inscription “Designed by Apple in California Assembled in China”, which is located at the bottom, should be embossed, and not just printed, as is done on Chinese counterfeits. The Chinese analogue does not implement the sound output function, while the original accessory has 2 sound recording channels;
- USB cable. The original USB cable on the side of the phone connector should not have any latches;
- headset. It is almost impossible to distinguish the authenticity of the headphones from the iPhone 4S with the naked eye, but in the original headset the cable is softer than in its counterparts.
The device and its characteristics
- Brand logo. Chinese iphone may impersonate the presence of the wrong logo. The true apple logo is the apple that is bitten on the right side. In a Chinese fake, it may be bitten on the left side.
- Screen size. If you pick up the original iPhone 4S and the Chinese iPhone, the former should have a larger screen. Such a difference is clearly visible, and a fake can be recognized with the naked eye.
- Back iPhone side 4S. In addition to the logo and inscriptions on the back of the mobile phone, the Chinese iPhone pretends to be a removable back cover of the battery compartment, while the real gadget is made non-separable, and the original phone cannot be disassembled without the use of an additional tool. In addition, Chinese "miscarriages" may back cover flaunt the inscription Android. This operating system has nothing to do with Apple products.
- Built-in memory. Have original iPhone 4S on the back cover there is no data on internal memory smartphone. The Chinese "iPhone" can be recognized by the presence of a memory expansion slot for microSD cards.
- Software and PC communication. As mentioned above, the original iPhone and all genuine Apple products do not have Android! Apple releases its gadgets with its own branded software iOS. When connecting the original phone to a personal computer, data transfer and file exchange should be carried out only with the help of special software iTunes. If the connected gadget is not detected by iTunes, then you have a Chinese counterfeit in your hands.
So, if you are going to buy an iPhone, but are afraid to take a Chinese counterfeit and are wondering "how to distinguish an iphone 4s from a fake", then read a few recommendations before buying. In general, if you have ever held the original iPhone in your hands, then it is unlikely that you will not be able to distinguish original device from a fake. But still, if doubts gnaw at you and you have already asked yourself the question "how to distinguish a real iPhone from a fake", then read the differences between the original and the Chinese counterfeit:
Instructions on how to distinguish iphone 4s from fakes
- In the original iPhone, the back cover is not removed in order to insert a SIM card. This is most likely due to the fact that Steve Jobs loved to control everything, and he did not like the idea that users could get into the insides of his devices. In general, in the original iPhone, the lid does not open even point, and the SIM card is inserted from the side.
- If you are told that you can insert 2 SIM cards into an iPhone, and even a flash drive, for example MicroSD, then do not even ask the question "how to distinguish a real iphone 4s from a fake", just know that they are trying to slip a fake on you! No additional flash drives are inserted into the original iPhone, let alone 2 SIM cards.
- Although the Chinese make fakes, they still make high-quality Retina display, as on the iPhone, they have not yet succeeded, and they have not yet been able to install iOS on any device. So, roughly speaking, if the iPhone does not have iTunes, then it is a fake. If the iPhone has a clumsy interface and everything is inconvenient and not in normal Russian, then this is a fake. If the screen is made up of big and ugly pixels, then it's fake. If you can poke at the screen with anything, and not just your finger, then this is a fake. The screen of the original iPhone is capacitive and reacts only to finger touches, and it is very sensitive and suffices for a light touch.
- Another thing that is very noteworthy in Chinese fakes is a small iron antenna on the side, which is invisible until you pull it out. The original iPhone doesn't have any antennas, keep that in mind.
- Camera - usually for fakes it is a very poor quality and just disgusting camera. In a real iPhone, the camera is gorgeous.
- Branded accessories that are ideal for the original iPhone often do not "lie" on a fake, or do it with great stretch. In particular, the case for the iPhone 4s will fit perfectly in the original, which cannot be said about a fake.
Finally, don't buy an iPhone in some place. If you buy in a trusted online store, then this will already save you from buying a fake. If you buy from your hands, then be sure to check the IMEI with the one on the box and the one in iPhone settings... You can generally go to "Settings / General / About device" and get acquainted with the device. Also, be sure to check the camera, network, the external condition of the iPhone and the contents of the box. The box must contain headphones, a user manual, a charger ( USB cable and a nozzle for an outlet), a special pin for inserting a SIM card.
When you buy a device, do not hesitate to ask and ask to show everything you need, do not worry and try not to forget anything and check everything. I hope after this quick guide "iPhone 4s how to distinguish a fake" you will no longer ask such questions, but boldly go and buy yourself a high-quality and original device.
And lastly. The original iPhone says on the back : “Designed by Apple in California. Assembled in China ". Do not be alarmed last word China. Literally it translates as: “Designed by Apple in California. Assembled in China ”, that is, the original iPhones are assembled in China, and there is nothing to worry about, it’s just cheaper there. But only professional workers are assembled in special Apple factories. I don't think it's worth talking about the bitten apple, because the Chinese have learned to fake the logo well, but still don't forget about it.
From the moment Apple products began to appear on the gadget market, Chinese craftsmen have no more time to rest. Moreover, electronics with an apple are assembled in Asia and there are ready-made templates. They diligently copy the entire line of iPhones, offering consumers cheap counterparts with a variety of in-demand functions. And it would be nice if the buyer was immediately told that on the counter chinese iPhone 4, not a copy. But, many unscrupulous sellers at the price of the original are trying to sell a copy. So the topic of how to distinguish a fake from an original Chinese iPhone 4 will always be relevant. After all, you need to know how to protect yourself from purchasing non-original goods. I have nothing against Chinese phones. But, the seller is obliged to notify the origin of the phone and set an adequate price.
So, you need to start by examining your phone. On the back cover there should be a sprayed-on logo of the apple bitten off on the right side. In Chinese phones, it is glued on and most often the apple is bitten off on the left. There is also the Android logo, which has nothing to do with Apple.
The iPhone 4 has no internal storage markings on the back. It was only in the third generation and has Asian counterparts. Below you can read the inscription "Designed by Apple in California Assembled in China" (designed in California, assembled in China), and further information: model and serial number. The analogs may be written instead of Chin America, or nothing at all.
Now about the phone memory. Officially, Apple doesn't have 64GB iPhones. Also, Asians offer models with 73 MB and 30 MB of internal memory. They differ in support for microSD cards.
The rear camera of the iPhone 4 according to the developer is 5 Mpix. For copies it does not even reach 2 Mpix. When turned on, the screen snows and clear pictures cannot be obtained. The Chinese have an antenna on top of the gadget. This is evidence of the built-in TV tuner. Probably, this is how Asians are trying to compensate for the shortcomings of non-original Apple, offering all sorts of additions.
IPhone 4 offers Retina screen with a resolution of 960 x 640. Asians have a QVGA display with a resolution of 320 x 480. Although there are heat shields.
Data transfer, when the gadget is connected to a PC, is done through the proprietary iTunes software. So, if you connected an iPhone and the USB Configuration window opened, but the program does not see it, then you have a Chinese person in your hands.
To be sure, you can check your phone number on special sites. You need to go to the "SETTINGS / BASIC / ABOUT DEVICE" menu and there will be an IMEI line. This is a 15-digit code that must be entered on the portal.
So, this is the main list of differences between the original and the copy. So, this is an opportunity to make your choice deliberately in favor of an accessible copy or a solid original.
Proven methods.
The more popular Apple devices become, the more often you can see cheap Chinese counterfeits for original smartphones. And if a few years ago a fake could be identified by the characteristic crackle of the case or a poor-quality picture on the display, now the craftsmen are stamping almost perfect iPhone copies... So how not to fall for the bait of scammers and not buy a "leftist"?
The easiest way out is to buy an iPhone from an authorized dealer. The method is obvious, but not suitable for everyone, because sometimes you want to buy a gadget, and you only have enough money for a used model. But in any case, if the situation suffers, then it is better to dig up and take the original and legally "clean" (I think it is not necessary to remind about the frequent theft of phones) iPhone in a specialized store - these are the official Apple resellers in Russia.
However, if you have looked for a model on the site ad, a la Avito, and seriously decided to purchase a model from your hands, then you need to know a few 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 use Android) with the ability to access the Internet. This is necessary for absolutely accurate verification of the originality of the purchased device. What do you need to do?
Step 1. Go to the iPhone in the menu " Settings» → « The main» →« About this device"And find the item" Serial number».
Step 2. Follow this link from your device. The link leads to the official Apple website in the section for checking serial numbers.
Step 3. In the window under the inscription “ Enter your hardware serial number"Specify the serial number of the checked device 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 support from Apple by phone. Otherwise, you will see the message “ Unfortunately this serial number is not correct. Please check the existing data and try again ", which means that it is better to bypass this would-be seller side.
Be careful when typing serial number devices, because due to an error in one symbol, you can think badly about the person, and be left without a new (or used) iPhone.
We open our eyes wider
No matter how high-quality the replica of the iPhone, technically, the creators of the clones cannot do everything exactly like Apple's. Therefore, even with a cursory glance, without resorting to checking the serial number of the device, it is possible to identify a fake. You need to pay attention to the following details:
- There should be no hieroglyphs, spelling mistakes or other calligraphic errors in the system.
- The back cover of the device must be labeled: iPhone, Designed by Apple in California, Assembled in China, model number, certification marks (as in the picture).
- The iPhone cannot have an antenna.
- The iPhone also cannot have two SIM cards, an embedded memory card and charging from usb and mini-usb.
- The back cover of any iPhone model cannot be removed until the securing screws are removed.
Another quick way to identify a fake
A very simple and easy method - pick up your iPhone and go to standard application App Store... Anyone, even the coolest Chinese iPhone, will be forced to transfer you to Google play, an application store for Android devices.
This is how the App Store should look like:
This is what Google Play looks like:
In addition, you won't be able to find most of Apple's branded apps on Google Play. Try to search through the search for applications such as Keynote, iMovie, Pages, Numbers, Apple Store - if they are not in the store, then you have a fake, not the original iPhone.
Another surefire way to identify a Chinese iPhone
Well, I would like to finish this article in one more correct way, which will reveal even the most inveterate Chinese geniuses with giblets. To do this, you 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 connecting iPhone to your computer and turning on iTunes, the program should detect the device and try to sync it. If iTunes is silent as a guerrilla, most likely they are trying to slip you a fake, be careful.
For more information about how to distinguish a real iPhone from a fake, read on our forum in the topic.
