Smart watches from Apple cost a lot, but users do not spend money in vain, because in return they receive multifunctional, high-quality and reliable accessories. What can not be said about fakes. That’s where it’s a waste of money. How not to fall for the tricks of scammers?
Smartwatches have several branded features that will help customers 100% verify the authenticity of the Apple Watch. What to pay attention to first of all: the box, the appearance of the chronometer, the presence / absence of connectors, the appearance of the OS, something else? We figure out how to distinguish the original Apple Watch from a Chinese or any other fake.
Needed information: How to choose the right smart watch — 9 useful tips
Features of branded Apple Watch
As always, as soon as some popular premium gadget enters the world, scammers immediately begin to “clone” it. So it happened with Apple wrist accessories. Therefore, it is important to understand the features of the watch phone in order to know exactly how to distinguish the original Apple Watch from a cheap or not very fake one. Below are the distinctive features of the original watch.
There is no connector
Apple Watch are cutting-edge gadgets that do not use connectors for connecting to a smartphone, connecting accessories or recharging. With an iPhone, Bluetooth headphones and a charger, the connection occurs via wireless technology.
Therefore, the surest way to distinguish a fake from an original Apple Watch is to check the case for any connectors. If they are not there, there is a chance that the buyer has the original, and if there is, it is a 100% replica.
Charging by magnetic induction
The smartwatch is powered by a lithium-ion battery that needs to be recharged periodically. But the charging cord is not inserted into the accessory itself, but into a special charging magnet, which, in turn, contacts the device without wires.
It is a round «tablet», which is applied to the back of the chronometer (there are marks where to magnetize the charger). The magnet cable can be connected to the USB connector of a PC, power bank, laptop, or you can use a regular outlet.
On a note: There is another way to charge a wrist accessory: use a special docking station on which smart watches are placed and powered by energy.
Case hardened
What the manufacturer himself tells about the manufacturing process of smart watches, for example, Apple Watch Series 6 GPS:
- the future shell is pressed at the beginning of production;
- then it is thermally processed;
- at the end — polished with diamond suspension for a perfectly smooth surface.
Each chronometer case, according to the brand, takes several days to create. In addition, Apple produces current models of smart watch in a durable case made of aluminum and steel. Moisture and dust protection of the shell is provided. For example, you can swim with Apple Watch Nike Series 6 GPS 40mm.
Counterfeiters, of course, don’t have as impressive production capabilities as Apple, so copies are flimsy, quite heavy, with no hint of dust or water splash protection.
No inputs for sim card, memory card
Apple smartwatches do not have slots for inserting a memory card. Also, there is no place for a SIM card in the accessories. These features are rigorously supported across all Apple Watch series, from series one to series four.
Interesting to know: How the popular Apple smartwatch has evolved: from Watch Original to Series 4
Copies, on the contrary, are designed so that they can be used without being tied to smart. Therefore, counterfeit devices often have a SIM slot and even a place to install a memory card.
For information: Apple Watch can also be used without a smartphone, but the full functionality will be revealed only when paired: smart watch + iPhone.
You may be interested in: How to connect a smart watch to a phone: ways for 2 smartphone operating systems
What you need to do to recognize a fake
Before buying a chronometer, it is recommended to follow a number of simple steps that will help distinguish a fake from the original Apple Watch. These points are especially important when purchasing an accessory from hand, in non-specialized stores, or if there is the slightest suspicion that a copy is in front of the buyer.
View box and accessories
The appearance of the original box for Apple Watch is an oblong box made of thick cardboard. White color. On one of the sides there is a laconic inscription Watch with the image of a corporate apple.
Already at this stage of inspection, you can identify a fake. You should be wary if the box with a smart watch has:
- Creases, dents and a sloppy look. Of course, this can be attributed to transportation flaws, but the Apple brand keeps an eye on the “face” of its products, packing them in very thick cardboard with a special coating.
- Fuzzy, blurry letters, spelling errors in the name and series.
- Greyish or another shade that differs from the original white color of the packaging.
Another way to check the originality of the Apple Watch is to open the packaging and inspect the components. In addition to the watch itself, the package includes 2 strap sizes, a tablet charger with a USB cord, and a brochure for users.
Nuance: in Apple Watch 4 series, the supply of components is slightly different: the watch is additionally packed in a soft case (previously, the device and the strap were simply inside in 2 separate boxes).
If, when opening the package, there is a shortage of components or, for example, not a magnetic, but a standard USB or other charge, a fake is in front of the buyer.
Check design and extra details
The original watch has a touch screen, a rectangular case with rounded corners and edges, as well as a button and a Digital Crown branded wheel on the right side. In the latest, 4 series of Apple Watch, slight clicks are felt when scrolling the wheel. Here in such a device Silver Aluminum Case with White Sport Band there are these clicks.
On the left are holes for the microphone and speaker. On the back of the chronometer there are «marks» for connecting a magnetic charger.
Let’s emphasize again: there are no connectors and slots for SIM cards, memory cards in the original Apple Watch of any series!
The design is concise and neat. There are no sharp protrusions and unnecessary details here. How else is a fake different from a branded gadget? It can be large bezels on the sides of the screen, or an overly small display. In addition, fakes are larger, thicker and, accordingly, heavier than the original.
View installed OS
The final touch of the check is to turn on Apple Watch and check the operating system. The originals only work on watchOS (like this MTEY2FS/A).
Instead of a proprietary operating system, copy manufacturers most often use an adapted version of Android or unknown firmware in fakes. In addition to poor-quality translation, fake OSes have many other bugs: it is impossible to change the theme of the watch face, there is no Siri assistant, there are no useful proprietary Apple applications, and so on.
An interesting article: Watches with wiretapping for children: features and 4 models for different ages
Finally, another way to check the original Apple Watch. This time we use the serial number of the watch. What do we have to do:
- Go to chronometer settings.
- Open the «General» section, then «About this device».
- Find the serial number (letters+numbers).
- Go to the brand’s official website.
- Go to the section with checking the right to service and support.
- Enter IMEI in the appropriate box.
- Enter the verification code and press Enter.
If the system gives out information about the model, everything is OK, the original is in front of the user. If there is an error — fake.
Comparison of the original Apple Watch and fake
So, the main differences between a branded device and a fake:
And the buyer should also be alerted by the too low cost of Apple Watch, since in Ukraine the cost of these accessories starts from UAH 10,000. The only way to legally reduce the price of the original is discounts on outdated smartwatch models or just promotions from branded stores.
See also: TOP 10 smartwatches for big and small
Therefore, if it is not possible to pay a tidy sum for a branded accessory, it is better to wait for a sale. And in order not to run into a fake, you should carefully examine the appearance of Apple Watch: from packaging to the device itself and components. Also, it will not be superfluous to look “inside” and make sure that the watch works on watchOS.