The emergence of AirPods in the market has caused many Chinese manufacturers to launch exact copies of Apple headphones. Brands like TWS with its i10, i12 and i60 and Super Copy with its 1: 1 replica manage to perfectly imitate the design of the AirPods, AirPods 2 and AirPods Pro for prices ranging from 15 euros to 30. The latest iterations They even copy the synchronization of the Apple chip so that iOS identifies the headphones as original.
The problem begins when they try to sell us hoarse by offering us fake AirPods that have little or nothing to do with the originals, beyond aesthetics or synchronization. The good news is that there are some methods to detect this type of scam before buying the product in question, and this time we will see some of the keys to avoid falling into the trap.
Check the serial number of the AirPods on the Apple page
The most effective method to check if AirPods are fake or authentic is based on precisely going to the Apple page. If the seller provides us with the serial number of the box, we can refer to this Apple website to verify that we are dealing with an Apple product.
In addition to providing us with all the technical information on the product in question, Apple will reveal the device's activation date and the remaining warranty period , which will help us verify with the seller aspects such as the purchase date or the legal guarantee.
Check the position and color of the LED on the charging case
One of the elements that can help us identify fake AirPods is precisely the LED light that accompanies the headphone box.
In the case of AirPods 1, the location of the LED is on the outer shell of the charging box next to the hole present to open the lid . If we refer to the AirPods Pro or the AirPods 2 with a wireless box, the LED light moves inside the box, just in the separation between the right earbud and the left earbud .
Another no less important aspect is the behavior of the LED when we interact with the box and the headphones. Apple specifies the following:
- Green light : charging status of the case
- Orange or amber light : less than a full charge remains in the case
- White light : the box is ready to sync with other devices
Therefore, we can deduce that we are facing false AirPods if the location of the LED light varies with respect to the original box or the color of the LED is different from the three colors declared by Apple (blue, yellow, red etc.).
Check the weight and size of the case and earbuds
Weight is another key point to detect AirPods 2 and AirPods Pro replicas, in addition to the originals. This is because most Chinese manufacturers tend to include lower quality materials, lower capacity batteries and fewer electronic components and circuits. The result is that most clones are less heavy than genuine models .
Apple's official figures are as follows:
- AirPods 1 : 4 grams each earbud and 38 grams the case
- AirPods 2 : 4 grams each earbud and 40 grams the case
- AirPods Pro : 5.4 grams each earbud and 45.6 grams the case
It is also convenient to review the dimensions, although in general they do not usually differ much when we talk about headphones. The box , however, tends to have somewhat larger dimensions in the 'clone' models .
- AirPods 1 and 2 : 4.05 x 1.65 x 1.8 centimeters each earbud and 5.35 x 4.43 x 2.13 centimeters for the case
- AirPods Pro : 3.98 x 2.18 x 2.4 centimeters each earbud and 4.52 x 6.06 x 2.17 centimeters for the case
Taking a look at the box that wraps the headphones does not hurt to check if it corresponds to the original Apple packaging: logos, European certifications, barcodes ...
Beware of the Bluetooth version and the integration with iOS
Making cheap headphones involves sacrificing specifications such as Bluetooth connectivity, and in this case it is most likely that we will find versions of Bluetooth 4.0, 4.1 or 4.2 .
If we take a look at Apple's specifications we find the following specifications:
- AirPods 1 : Bluetooth 4.0
- AirPods 2 and Pro : Bluetooth 5.0
In addition to the standard of Bluetooth connectivity, synchronization and integration with iOS is another aspect where most replicas tend to fall under their own weight. In iPhone and iPad connecting AirPods is as simple as bringing the headphones closer to the Bluetooth device by means of and opening the lid at the moment of synchronization.
Unfortunately this integration method is reaching several of the most advanced fake AirPods on the market . The way to detect authenticity in this case is as simple as proceeding with the connection on an Android mobile: if the name of the device is TWS i9000 or similar, we are clearly facing a copy.
Check if the Lightning cable is Apple certified
The best copies of AirPods usually come with a Lightning cable identical to the one that Apple includes in the box of its original AirPods. Is there a way to verify that this cable is verified by Apple?
Affirmative. Simply connect the cable to an iPhone or iPad. If the cable is false, a pop-up window will appear with the following message:
This cable or accessory is not certified, so it may not work properly with this iPhone / iPad.
And remember: nobody gives hard to four pesetas
First-generation AirPods for 50 euros? AirPods Pro for 80? When it comes to the Internet, it is best to follow the maxim "nobody gives four pesetas hard".
For some time now, several stores that are promoted on Instagram claim to sell AirPods at zero euros where the only thing you pay is shipping: the truth is that it is a business model based on Dropshipping .
If we go to second-hand markets and pages, it is advisable in this case to ask the buyer for all kinds of information. Purchase invoice, photographs of the original box, videos showing the connection to the iPhone, etc.