Experts from the UK issue a warning about counterfeit iPhone chargers posing serious risks of explosion and electric shock.

This is not the first time Apple has issued such a warning to its product users. Purchasing from third parties outside of the official channels can lead to various hidden risks, one of which is the potential for explosions, fires, or even leaks and electric shocks for users. According to product safety engineer Giuseppe Capanna from the UK, fake iPhone charging cables can be fatal if they malfunction.

Currently, there are two types of non-Apple iPhone charging cables in the market: certified cables and uncertified counterfeit ones. Certified accessories are produced by third-party companies without Apple's support, while fake cables lack certification and the manufacturing source is unclear—they are simply made to resemble Apple's products but at a lower cost.

Both types of accessories are considered highly dangerous by Apple, with numerous cases of explosions and fires reported. Vietnam has also witnessed several incidents. It's crucial to thoroughly inspect iPhone accessories and charging cables purchased during discount periods or from online stores to ensure whether they are genuine or fake.

In general, accessories and especially fake iPhone chargers tend to be lighter than Apple's products. It's challenging to notice this difference in such a compact item. Therefore, you can inspect the plug pins to detect signs of counterfeit goods.

ESF - Electrical Safety First's tests revealed that the plug pins on fake charging cables are significantly weaker than Apple's genuine products. This is explained by the fact that they are hollow plastic coated with metal, contrasting with the solid metal of authentic items. This partly justifies the considerably lower price of fake iPhone accessories and charging cables.

Another easily recognizable sign of counterfeit goods is the inconsistent and off-color appearance of the plug casing. Fake products often have a glossy finish and some 'unusual' signs, so thorough inspection is necessary as they are likely not Apple-certified.

Accessories in general and iPhone charging cables specifically manufactured by third parties are certified with Apple's Mfi logo on each product's packaging. It bears the inscription 'Made for iPod, iPhone,' indicating that it is designed exclusively for these product types.

Apple's charging cables like Lightning to USB also have clear inscriptions such as 'Designed by Apple in California' or, for products assembled in Vietnam, 'Assembled in Vietnam.' Similar information applies to other markets. This inscription is located about 17.78cm from the connector. Furthermore, you can check the 12-digit serial number at the end of the text and pay attention to marked points, spelling errors, or inconsistencies in that sequence.

An authentic Apple charging cable weighs around 40g, usually heavier than fake products. The plug positions and contact points will have incorrect dimensions, smaller or larger, even placed in the wrong position and with different shapes. All these details need thorough inspection to avoid purchasing counterfeit items at genuine prices.

In general, the issue of fake accessories and fake iPhone charging cables has become prevalent in the market. With the naked eye, it's challenging to distinguish between genuine and fake products due to the sophisticated nature of these items, surpassing our understanding. Therefore, it's advisable to buy iPhone charging cables and accessories from retail outlets authorized by Apple to avoid the risk of buying low-quality products.

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