It can sometimes be quite challenging to distinguish a genuine iPhone charger from a fake one. We explain how to do this to ensure you don’t get deceived again.
Counterfeit branded products are prevalent on the Internet, particularly on sites like Temu, AliExpress, and Wish. Often, these knockoffs are nearly identical to the original products they imitate, but they can usually be identified by certain details that leave no doubt.
For all its products, Apple recommends using only chargers and accessories that are designed by the brand or are certified by the brand with the apple logo. Products made by third-party manufacturers are typically identifiable by the “MFI” symbol on the packaging. Made for iPhone, Made for iPhone MagSafe, and other similar labels indicate that “an electronic accessory has been specifically designed to connect to the iPhone (or any other Apple product, Editor’s note) and has been certified by the developer to meet Apple’s performance standards,” as explained by Apple on its website.
Here are the acronyms that will assure you of the quality of the purchased product.
The acronym applies to devices and accessories originally marketed by Apple, such as the iPhone, MagSafe, Apple Watch, etc.
How to identify an original cable
When it comes to your iPhone cable, Apple advises you to pay attention to a number of small details to avoid being deceived again. In addition to the acronyms mentioned earlier found on the cable packaging, you should also pay attention to the markings on the cable itself.
Some cables include an inscription that contains several important pieces of information. They should state “Designed by Apple in California,” followed by one of the following three phrases:
- Assembled in China
- Assembled in Vietnam
- Brazilian Industry
Following this inscription, you will find a 12-digit serial number that you can use to verify its authenticity on this authenticity checker created by Apple. In a matter of seconds, Apple will inform you whether the accessory is listed in its database or not.
It’s also crucial to inspect the USB connector and Lightning connector on your cable for any unusual features. For example, the Lightning plug should be gray or metallic, not white or black, and the USB port contacts should be gold-colored, not silver.
How to recognize an original adapter
Regarding the adapter, there are several elements that Apple generally includes in all models marketed by the brand. Although some variations may exist, these elements are common to all models. You can find the complete list of models on this Apple support page.
In this comparison photo, several details are unmistakable. The fake adapter is at the top, and the genuine one is at the bottom.
In the comparison photo, you’ll see a real Apple adapter (at the bottom) alongside a counterfeit (at the top). The official adapter features a more pronounced Apple logo and clearer inscriptions, which are not as distinct on the counterfeit adapter.
One element that should never mislead you is the acronym for European Conformity or CE. There must be enough space between the two letters to allow a complete circle to be drawn from the C without crossing the E. If the C and E are too close together, it indicates China Export.
This counterfeit from China, unlike the European Conformity mark, does not guarantee that the adapter has been manufactured according to the strict safety standards imposed by the EU.
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It can sometimes be very difficult to differentiate a real iPhone charger from a counterfeit. We explain how to do it so you don’t get fooled again.
Counterfeit branded items are rife on the Internet and sites like Temu, AliExpress, or Wish. Often identical as two drops of water to the product they are inspired by, these counterfeit items are often distinguished by one or another detail that leaves no room for doubt.
For all its products, Apple recommends using only chargers and accessories that the brand has designed or that are certified by the brand with the apple logo. Those designed by third-party manufacturers are often recognizable by the “MFI” symbol on the device box. Made for iPhone, Made for iPhone MagSafe… This acronym means “that an electronic accessory has been designed to connect specifically to the iPhone (or any other Apple product, Editor’s note) and has been certified by the developer to meet Apple performance standards” explains Apple on his site.
Here are the acronyms that will assure you of the good quality of the product purchased.
The acronym is valid for devices and accessories initially marketed by Apple: iPhone, MagSafe, Apple Watch, etc.
How to recognize an original cable
When it comes to your iPhone cable, Apple advises you to pay attention to several small details to avoid being fooled again. In addition to the acronyms mentioned above that you will find on the cable packaging, you should pay attention, for example, to the markings on the cable itself.
In fact, some cables have an inscription containing several important pieces of information. They should contain the symbol “Designed by Apple in California”, followed by one of the following three words:
- Assembled in China
- Assembled in Vietnam
- Brazilian Industry
After this sentence, you will get a 12-digit serial number that you can communicate to verify its authenticity. You can use the authentication checker created by Apple on this authenticity checker. Within seconds, Apple will be able to tell you whether the accessory is listed in its database or not.
It’s also important to check the USB connector and Lightning connector on your cable for any odd features. These include the Lightning plug, which should be gray/metallic and not white or black, or the USB port contacts, which should be gold-colored and not silver.
How to recognize an original adapter
Regarding the adapter, there are several elements that are generally included by Apple on all models marketed by the brand. These elements are common to all models, although some variations may exist. You will find the complete list of models on this Apple support page.
In this comparison photo, several details are unmistakable. At the top, the fake adapter, at the bottom, the real one. On the official adapter, the Apple logo and all the inscriptions are more pronounced, which is not the case on the counterfeit adapter.
But the element that should never deceive you is the acronym of the European Conformity or CE. The space between the two letters must be sufficient to be able to draw a complete circle from the C without going beyond the E. If the C and the E are too close, then we will speak of China Export.
This is a Chinese counterfeit which, unlike the European Conformity mark, does not ensure that the adapter has been manufactured according to the strict safety standards imposed by the EU.
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