There are many reasons why Apple AirPods are too much in demand. They are stylish, convenient, and durable. The wireless feature of this device makes them easy to use. The wires do not tangle, and you can carry the earbuds in their case. Thus, there is no chance you will ever lose them. The popularity of AirPods has reached to the extent that Apple has already sold its 110 millionth pair of this device.
What’s unfortunate is that many manufacturers are creating fake AirPods and selling them at prices as high as the original ones. These counterfeit AirPods look exactly like the real ones. Distinguishing them becomes harder for many people. The manufacturers of fake AirPods are clever. They have even copied the some software aspects of the device. Thus, it becomes tough to spot the difference between the two.
Fret not! We are here to help you out.
How to Spot Fake AirPods? Â
How do you know if you have bought real AirPods or fake ones? Read the below-listed guide in detail.
Check the Box
Apple is very particular about its packaging. It is one of the quickest ways to spot fake AirPods and not buy them. The box may look legitimate at first glance. However, there are a few areas to check.
The box should fit snugly. If the inner box and the lid come apart very easily or do not line up well, it may be a fake product. Another area to check on the box is its lettering. The lettering used for the device and the Apple logo on the box should be non-reflective. If it is reflective and not flat gray, do not buy it.
Check The Case
Another way to spot fake earbuds is by checking the case of the product. Check the port at the bottom of the case. It will be a lightning port. But the fake models include a USB-C port at the bottom.
The charging case of the real AirPods also has the status LED on the front and snaps shut magnetically. The product may be fake if your case doesn’t have these features.
Inspect the AirPods Closely
When you inspect your AirPods closely, you will spot the fake ones at once. The bottom of the original AirPods includes an oval-shaped vent. And if you find a circular shape at the bottom, the product may be fake or counterfeit.
This shape of AirPods varies from model to model. For instance, the AirPods Pro does not have a vent at the bottom. We recommend you check the specific model and compare it with all the images of the same product. When everything matches, buy it.
Look at the Serial Number
One of the most definitive methods of differentiating fake and real AirPods is checking their serial number. If the company has not heard of the serial number, it is a fake device. To check this, open the lid of your AirPods case and look at its underside. It is located on the section closest to the charging status LED when you close the case.
You can also check the underside of the right earbud. Once you have found the number, visit https://checkcoverage.apple.com and enter the serial number. You will get to know if your earplugs are real or fake.
See the Font and Color Consistency
Font differences may be hard to spot, especially when you do not have anything real as a reference. Common counterfeit AirPods come with thinner and taller font and have lesser space n between the letters.
Currently, Apple uses a font called San Francisco. If you do not have another pair of AirPods to compare, you can visit the official website for reference. The colors of the text may also be used to determine the authenticity of the device. It is found that the fake ones use a darker grey shade for texts.
The Suction of the Box
Do you know that the suction you feel when you open your AirPods box has been intentionally put by the manufacturers?
Apple boxes have two parts – an inner box that includes all the box contents and an outer box that comprises the product’s image. To open the box, you need to raise the outer one and wait for the inner box to release itself naturally. The good news is that counterfeit products have failed to fabricate this feature.
You can check if your AirPods are real or fake by visiting the Apple store and comparing the box with another one. If the sensation is not the same, it is a counterfeit device.
Speaker Grills and IR Sensors
The transparency of the speaker grills is another way to find the difference between authentic and fake AirPods. When buying the authentic ones, you will see a silhouette of two circular speakers. The fake ones do not have anything like this.
On the contrary, the IR sensors of the authentic AirPods are pitch black, and you cannot see through them. Fake AirPods include a hollow see-through hole or have a painted circle on that part.
Features that You Will Not Find on Fake AirPods
Besides the above-listed factors, there are some exclusive features present only in the original product. The AirPods have game-changing features that only Apple’s software could incorporate.
- The easy pairing for AirPods lets you instantly connect your device with other Apple devices. All you need to do is open the charging case and hold it near the device you want to pair it with. If you cannot connect AirPods at once, ensure to go through the troubleshooting guide.
- Find My app is another excellent feature that AirPods comprises. This platform allows you to track the location of your devices. You can access it through your mobile app or even the iCloud website. Original AirPods will automatically be added to your Find My account when you pair the devices together.
- There is a nifty magnet trick to check if your device is original or not. The original device comprises magnetized parts. If you bring two authentic earbuds together, they will repel each other. The fake ones neither attract nor repel each other.
Authenticating a pair of AirPods is tricky. But if you check the things discussed above, you can spot the difference. Keep in touch for more.
