With the advancement of technology, it has become quite difficult to distinguish between original and counterfeit iPhone products. However, there are still various ways to distinguish a fake charger or cable from the original. We have gathered these tips for you.
You can understand whether it’s original or not by checking certain points on Apple products. Among these points is the product’s packaging. In addition, by examining the product in detail, you can also understand if it’s fake.
Checking the Packaging and Cable Surface
On the packaging of Apple-approved iPhone chargers and cables, there is an MFi (Made For iPhone) logo. Apple has changed these logos in the past, so these logos can come in different forms. It’s beneficial to carefully examine the accessory itself and its packaging to identify fake or uncertified cables and accessories.
In addition, on the Apple Lightning – USB cable, there is a statement “Designed by Apple in California” at a distance of about 18 cm from the USB connector. Additionally, one of the phrases “Assembled in China”, “Assembled in Vietnam” or “Indústria Brasileira” should be found on the cable. At the end of this text, there is a 12-digit serial number.
Checking the Lightning and USB Ends of the Cable
You can understand whether the products you bought are original or not by examining them in detail. Most counterfeit products will not demonstrate craftsmanship as good as Apple. The most obvious points of this can be seen in the USB and Lightning ends.
Firstly, the original Apple cables’ Lightning ends have a gray/metallic connection plate attachment. In fake or uncertified ones, this part may come in different colors.
The width and height of the Apple boot are fixed at 7.7 mm x 12 mm. In other products, this length may vary. The workmanship at the contact points of original or certified iPhone charging cables is much better. Other products reveal themselves with their coatings and rough surfaces.
The first thing to pay attention to on the USB ends is that the inner locks of the USB shell are equilateral trapezoid in original products. In uncertified products, these locks usually appear at right angles.
The contact points of the original cable’s USB are gold-plated. In other products, these parts are produced as silver-plated. On the other hand, the USB surface is smooth in original products. In non-original products, there may be a latch or fixing gap on the surface of the USB shell. Another difference between the original product and others is the insulating parts of the USB ends. In certified and original products, these parts are smooth. On the other hand, there may be indentations and protrusions in these parts in counterfeit products.
You can separate iPhone chargers from fake derivatives in these ways. Remember, using an uncertified product may seem advantageous to you in the short term, but in the long term, it can cause significant damage to your phone and other devices. Thus, you may face greater expenses in the later stages.