In the world of business, for almost every fast moving goods or products there is a replica or what we call fake.
The level of resemblance I would say differs, depending on the product type and the speed for identifying the fake and original also varies according to product type.
Today in Nigeria, the use of iPhones have increased. There is need for Nigerians or any iPhone intending buyers to take notes of the rise of fake iphones in Nigeria, so as not to be scammed at the end of the day by buying a fake iphone.
How To Identify Fake And Original iPhone In Nigeria
In this post, I will be outlining some quick ways to identify fake and Original iPhones in Nigeria. Ranging from Iphone 6, 7, 8, xr, x, xsmax, 11, 11 pro, 11 pro max, 12, 12 pro max, 12 pro, 13, 13 mini, 13 plus, 13 pro, 13 pro max, 14, 14 pro, 14 pro max, 15, 15 pro, 15 pro max, 16, 16 mini, 16 pro max, 16 pro, 17, 17 pro, 17 pro max.
Here is the method to verify your iphone if its original or fake own you have or about to buy in the market:
1. Verification Of The Phone’s IMEI
Just like every other phones, iPhones have IMEI number and its IMEI number can be used to identify and verify if it’s fake or original.
Some of the information that comes from verifying the phone’s IMEI number are; Brand and Model ,Year of Release, Warranty information, Sim lock status, and other speculations.
Steps to use IMEI for phone Authenticity verification
You can get the Phone’s IMEI number by simply dialling *#06# or by checking Sim tray or by checking the original phone package if it’s a brand new iPhone.
An alternative way to get the phone’s IMEI number is by following the steps below;
- Turn on the phone
- Go to phone settings
- Find the ‘General‘ option
- Click on General
- Click on About
- Scroll down to find IMEI
- Copy the IMEI (touch and hold the number to copy).
IMEI number verification
- Go to Google
- Search for websites that verifies iphone IMEI number.
- Between the first five options brought out by the search, click on any and follow prompts.
If it’s unable to verify IMEI or the results shown does not tally with the phone,it means it is fake.
For brand new iphone ,if there’s no IMEI number on the packaging or the IMEI number is not same with the one on the phone’s setting, it shows that the iPhone is not Original.
2. Verify The iphone Serial Number
All iphones have unique serial numbers that are specific to each iphone model.
You can get the iPhone’s serial number on the original packaging, if new , or follow the same step as outlined for that of IMEI .
Copy the Serial Number and proceed to verify it on Apple Check Coverage on Google.
Click on the website and follow the prompts.
Again, if it’s unable to bring out information about the inputted serial number, that means it’s fake.
Also, if the result shows a Green tick beside the Valid purchase outlined text, it is original.
3. Siri Activation
Siri just like Google assistant on Android, is a special virtual assistant on iPhones.
Fake iphones can’t have this because it is unique from apple company.
How can you activate Siri?
- For iphones with home button,long press the home button to activate Siri.
- For the one’s without a home button,long press the side button (power button) , to activate Siri.
The appearing of the round object between the flashlight and camera icon,shows that Siri has been activated.
Make your request by first saying ‘Siri’ or ‘hey Siri ‘ , before proceeding to ask your questions.
4. App Store Validation
Just like there is Google play store pre-installed in Android phones,so also is the App Store for iphones.
Fake iphones may try to imitate the App store logo design and include it in the phone apps of the fake iphone.
The App Store is Uniquely designed for apple products, and to validate it, the app should not take to Google play store or any other android app store, if it does, it is not Original iphone.
5. Camera Quality
Checking the quality of the camera is also a quick way check if the iPhone is original or fake.
But to get a real idea of how the quality is supposed to be, the original iPhone type is to be used to check image quality difference.
6. Voice Record Quality
iPhones have high voice record quality and this can be used to identify fake and original iPhone.
But again, you might have difficulty in identifying if it’s fake or original in the absence of an exact series of the original iPhone for comparison purpose.
7. The Phone’s Price
When buying an iphone, if the proposed price is too good to be true, then there’s a probability that the iPhone is fake.
Read Also: Top 5 Best Online Store To Buy Phones Online In Nigeria
The following are other ways to confirm if an iphone is fake or original iphone, but in the case of a same series/type of iphone for comparison;
- Check carefully the fonts used in the iPhone if there are any differences, it is probably fake.
- Check the sides of the iPhone, the original is usually smooth at the sides.
- Check the Camera, for original iPhone the camera doesn’t bulge out too much, it’s almost the same level with the phone’s back covering.
- Check the USB port and speakers, if any changes are seen different from the original, then the other is probably fake.
- Compare the phone vibrancy.
CONCLUSION
Not falling to the scam of buying a fake iphone requires your smartness and patience to carefully analyse and observe the necessary features, whether you are getting it as a second hand product or a brand-new product.
With the methods outlined above in the original post, it should guide you on your part as a buyer before completing the payment.
To add to this, do well to buy from a known phone store as this will reduce the risk of buying fake. Click here to find out the top 5 best online store to buy original phones in Nigeria.
