iPhones have always been a goldmine for phone traders, whether new or old. Every day, numerous fake iPhones flood the market, and not everyone has enough knowledge to distinguish between Genuine iPhones, Refurbished CPO iPhones, and Warranty-less Counterfeit iPhones. Especially when consumers only know how to check iPhone IMEI. Checking iPhone IMEI alone nowadays cannot provide sufficient information and safety for users.
Moreover, iPhones are currently available at very low prices, especially network-locked iPhones. With the cunningness of traders, counterfeiting iPhones is entirely possible nowadays, leading users to be tricked into buying poor-quality, non-international versions. But readers shouldn't worry too much.
How to Differentiate Genuine iPhones, Refurbished CPO, and Warranty-less Counterfeit iPhones
Firstly, let's briefly delve into what Genuine iPhones, Refurbished CPO, and Warranty-less Counterfeit iPhones are, shall we?
What is a Genuine iPhone?
Put simply, these are devices distributed by Apple through authorized companies and partners in Vietnam. This type of product is typically expensive due to VAT taxes, but in return, it assures quality, with the device not yet activated, fully compliant with Apple's regional and Vietnamese regulations, and covered by a one-year warranty at authorized dealers.
Understanding Warranty-less Counterfeit iPhones
These are used devices purchased by stores but still have warranty periods ranging from 3 to 6 months. However, in some places, once the warranty expires, it's still considered Warranty-less Counterfeit iPhones.
Exploring Refurbished CPO iPhones
These are devices that encountered issues during usage and were returned to the manufacturer. After undergoing thorough second-phase checks and Apple's testing procedures, these CPO items are resold at a lower price while still offering a 12-month warranty to users.
How to Identify Your iPhone Model
Step 1: To easily check and differentiate between Genuine iPhones, Refurbished CPO iPhones, and Warranty-less Counterfeit iPhones, go to the device's settings section Settings >General .
Step 2: Next, navigate to the About section and check the Models to see which device you're using.
Step 3: Once you know your device model, you can check its origin by examining the following characters.
Models are represented by the character code: MxxxYY/A
- xxx: is the unique code
- YY: Represents the market origin of the device.
Replace the YY code with the following numbers and compare with your device to see where it's from.
ZA: Singapore
EU: European countries
HK: South Korea
TU: Turkey
B: United Kingdom
ZP: Hong Kong
F: France
VN: Vietnam
TA: Taiwan
T: Italy
TH: Thailand
XA: Australia
LL: United States
C: Canada
J: Japan
For more comprehensive information, readers should check the origin of their iPhone here.
Step 4: Distinguishing between Genuine iPhones, Refurbished CPO iPhones, and Warranty-less Counterfeit iPhones
To differentiate between Genuine iPhones, Refurbished CPO iPhones, and Warranty-less Counterfeit iPhones, pay attention to the M character in the MxxxYY/A number sequence.
- MxxxYY/A - the M character denotes brand new commercial goods (Genuine products).
- NxxxYY/A - the N character represents Apple's warranty replacement products.
- FxxxYY/A - the F character signifies Refurbished or CPO (Certified Pre-Owned) Apple products.
- 3xxxYY/A - if the first character is a Number (3), it indicates display units at Stores.
For instance, if the device's code is MG5X2LL/A, it's a Genuine iPhone (M) distributed in the US market (LL/A).
Here, Mytour has guided you on how to differentiate between Genuine iPhones, Refurbished CPO iPhones, and Warranty-less Counterfeit iPhones. Hopefully, this article has been helpful to our readers, especially those using iPhones. Additionally, if you're using an iPhone 6s and unsure whether it's authentic or counterfeit, why not refer to Mytour's guide on how to check if your iPhone 6s is real or fake to update your iPhone knowledge.
Checking the warranty of an iPhone is crucial when buying a used iPhone. Checking the iPhone warranty will assist you in case of any issues with your phone. There are various methods to check iPhone warranty, so you can choose the one that suits you best.
