Verifying the authenticity of an iPhone is crucial due to the prevalence of counterfeit and low-quality products being marketed as genuine. Many methods exist to determine whether an iPhone is authentic, one of which is checking its serial number. The following guide will help you gain more insight into this matter.
Understanding Genuine iPhones
Concept of Genuine Products
Authentic iPhones are products legally imported into Vietnam. Legal importation means they are recognized and granted import licenses by the government, including permits for circulation and compliance with state taxation regulations. Specifically:
- They have headquarters or authorized distributors for retail sales in Vietnam.
- Many distributors or representatives in Vietnam legally purchase them in large quantities from manufacturers, then resell them to retail stores.
- They are authorized by the manufacturer and can be directly or indirectly imported into Vietnam for retail sale.
When considering purchasing an iPhone, it's crucial to discern between authentic Apple products and imported ones. While iPhones from overseas may offer lower prices, they also come with increased risks such as potential counterfeit items and less reliable warranty support. In today's market, there's an influx of counterfeit and low-quality iPhone replicas. Thus, it's essential to differentiate between genuine and imported iPhones before making a purchase.
Identifying genuine iPhones and distinguishing them from imported or unclear-sourced devices involves recognizing certain indicators. Here are some key signs to look out for:
- Genuine iPhones lack the import labels of Apple Vietnam Company, and their part numbers differ from those of domestically distributed iPhones. Imported units may not have the VN/A designation, and the specific code varies depending on the market.
- Imported iPhones often pass through multiple channels before reaching consumers, bypassing direct sourcing from Apple. Consequently, sellers themselves may not be fully aware of the devices' quality when selling to end-users.
Products with unclear origins may be sold at significantly lower prices ranging from 500,000 to 2,000,000 VND, or even 3,000,000-4,000,000 VND. However, customers often struggle to distinguish between genuine imported items and counterfeit ones labeled as 'imported goods.'

Differentiating iPhone Models
Essential Ways to Authenticate Genuine iPhones
Verifying Genuine iPhones Using ICT Stickers
Genuine phones imported directly from Apple Vietnam are identifiable by the ICT stickers on each device. In Vietnam, these stickers bear the logo of Apple Vietnam Company, with the VN/A code printed on the back of the device's box.
Verifying Genuine iPhone Information Using Serial Numbers
Step 1: Open your iPhone, then go to Settings

Step 2: Select About

Step 3: Next, on the same Menu bar, you'll see a section called About. Click on it to view all the information about your phone.

Step 4: Here, locate the Serial section and copy the serial number for verification.

Step 5: Open the Safari browser and visit Apple's device coverage check website: https://checkcoverage.apple.com/. Then, paste the serial number into the provided field, enter the verification code, and click Continue.


Step 6: The new webpage will display information under the Repairs and Service Coverage section. If your iPhone is genuine, it will show details like Active for active warranty coverage or Expired for expired Apple warranty.

Information contained in the image includes:
- iPhone model name and Serial Number.
- Activation status of your iPhone (essential when buying a new device).
- Initial 3-month technical warranty period from Apple (covered via phone support). The device in the image has exceeded the 3-month warranty period.
- The one-year warranty period for the device specifies its expiration date, which is one year from the activation date. The device in the image has also exceeded the warranty period.
Currently, all genuine VNA iPhones such as the iPhone 14 Pro 128GB are directly imported from Apple Vietnam Company through authorized distributors and are available at Mytour Supermarket. When purchasing, the product is covered by a 1-year genuine warranty at authorized Apple Vietnam service centers. Customers can visit the stores directly or place orders online (via phone number 028-38563388) for doorstep delivery.
