When it comes to the competitive market for smartphones, Apple's iPhone is in a class all by itself. Additionally, due to its distinctive characteristics, it costs much more than comparable cellphones. Some con artists copy the product and sell it on the market at a reduced price in order to profit from the popularity of this iPhone brand. Cheaply priced imitation iPhones are purchased by consumers without their knowledge.

In this guide, we're going to share some tips with you that will enable you to recognise whether the phone you bought is authentic or fraudulent.

1. Check the IMEI Number

International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) is what an IMEI number is. When purchasing an iPhone, always verify the IMEI number. On the product's box, look for the phone's IMEI number. Visit https://checkcoverage.apple.com/in/en on the Apple website. Then, enter the number that is written on the phone box by clicking the 'IMEI number' option. If there is no information there, the phone is fake.

2. Verify Operating System

The operating system that iPhones use, iOS, is clearly different from the Android one. iOS is quite different from Android in terms of its overall design, how it feels to use, and how well it performs. 

Visit the Settings menu on your iPhone, then choose the item labelled "Software" to examine the device's current operating system. Safari, Health, iMovie, and many more native applications will be included with iPhones running the iOS operating system.

3. Examine iPhone Interface 

Pay close attention to the process when you sign in on the phone. This phone is bogus if you are prompted to enter your Google or other account details. Additionally, the phone is not an original iPhone if you discover that it is an Android version.

4. Look at the Pentalobe Screw

Look attentively at the Pentalobe screw on the phone you purchased to see whether it is a genuine Apple device. Pentalobe screws are located next to the lightning connector in iPhones. Additionally, the screw head on the original iPhone should have five grooves. It is a counterfeit iPhone if there are fewer grooves than that.

5. Determine Model Number

Finding the version number of the phone is another way to identify an iPhone from a fake. Visit the phone's settings. Select the 'About Phone' option by clicking. You must note the phone's version at this point. If there are any differences, the phone is fake.

6. Physical Appearance

Fake iPhones often feature weaker construction and a somewhat different design from genuine versions. As a result, you must thoroughly examine the iPhone's exterior. Pay close attention to the camera module, the frames, and the notch. A premium experience is provided by the majority of the most recent iPhone models, which are built of metal and glass.

As opposed to the vast majority of new Android phones, iPhones do not come equipped with USB Type C connectors; thus, it is imperative that you seek the lightning connection on the bottom of the device. But if rumours are to be believed, it's feasible that future iPhones may include a USB Type C connector, much like most recent Android devices have. This would be in keeping with current industry trends.

7. Check Display Bezel 

You may also tell a genuine Apple phone from a fake by glancing at the phone's display bezel. The bezel is the line that separates the phone's screen from its frame. Your iPhone should be the iPhone X or the most recent model. The display bezel has to be thoroughly examined. Your newly acquired phone is a fake if the bottom has an uneven bezel. A fake iPhone often has a thick bezel.

8. Activate Siri

Siri is a wholly Apple-developed product. As a result, the producers of imitation iPhones must use speech assistants such as Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, or others in place of Siri in their devices. Instead, try holding down the power button for a long time to bring up Siri. The iPhone is fake if it doesn't appear.

9. Consult Apple Store/Service Provider

You may take your iPhone to the closest Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider if you continue to think it is a fake. A retail professional may run diagnostic checks on your iPhone to confirm that it is an Apple product.

10. Lookup System Applications

Only iOS applications are available in the App Store that comes with the iPhone. You might attempt to open it. The iPhone is not authentic, as you can tell via the Google Play store. Additionally, Apple provides certain system programs that are not deleteable, such as Safari, Health, Music, Compass, Calculator, etc. As a result, the phone is fake if any of them are missing.

By entering DFU mode and reinstalling the operating system, you can restore the original firmware. If you still don't have any native applications, your iPhone is undoubtedly fake.

 Watch out for iPhone Fraud!

Buying a counterfeit iPhone might cost you money and be a stressful process. So, in order to make an educated decision and prevent being duped, you must check your Apple iPhone before purchasing.

Risks of Using a Fake iPhone

Fake iPhones contain weak hardware and software, but they also feature a variety of harmful backdoors, putting consumers in a far more dangerous position than they would be otherwise. If you are using a false phone, there is a great probability that your information might be readily taken, according to a number of experts.

Final Reflections

For the majority of users, tracking or identifying either activity is difficult. If users purchase their gadgets via a third-party, they may not even be aware that the phone they have is a fake. So, we always advise users to purchase from the Apple Store or reputable retailers. Also, be cautious when accepting iPhones as gifts. Keep in mind that fake smartphones will continue to evolve in sophistication, performance, and threat to users. They may allow misuse of the apps and networks you access and utilise, which puts your data in danger.